The Funfair is Back - But Must It Be For a Full Month?

The funfair is back. Good news for some, but for many local residents, who hate the noise and disturbance, it's a betrayal of promises by our Council to reduce the impact of these events.

George Irvin's Funfair is here for a full month this time, from 21 July until 20 August. That is much longer than usual (in the past it's been around 2 weeks tops), and now it is open until 10pm, surely well past most childrens' bed-times.

The big lorries that transport these funfairs cause a lot of damage to the Green, which even at the best of times feels badly treated.  Many local residents, especially those who live around the Green, hate the noise and disturbance. So why is our Council extending the Funfair's run?

Damage caused by funfairs last winter

Councillor Sue Fennimore, of Avondale Ward, has actively engaged with residents' concerns in the past.

Of the new month-long funfair she said: "I am absolutely at a loss as to understand how this has come about following last year's extensive discussions and communications from residents and from me. I met with officers to seek alternative options that would not impact on residents so severely and there was a plan of action discussed. I am utterly furious to see that it seems assurances to affected residents have not been acted upon. I am requesting an urgent meeting to discuss this."

The lorries lay down big metal causeways on the ground in order to transport their equipment, but these kill off the grass and leave scars on the landscape.

Funfair damage. Photo: Andrew Day

Our Council doesn't seem to be able to insist that the funfair owners repair the damage they cause before they leave. The Council does put down fresh grass seed, but often it doesn't seem to take. Apparently they can't lay turf because it just gets stolen.

There must be a better balance to be struck between popular entertainment and maintaining the fabric of Shepherd's Bush Green - surely one of the most mistreated green spaces in our Borough.

If you'd like to let the Council know about your concerns, email your local councillors. You might also email James Fitzgerald, Filming & Events Manager for LBHF. james.fitzgerald@rbkc.gov.uk, Nadia Jazaerli, Events Manager for LBHF. nadia.jazaerli@lbhf.gov.uk, and Svetlana Scheck from RBKC. svetlana.scheck@rbkc.gov.uk

Below is a handy table from James Fitzgerald, that shows when and how long the big funfairs in Shepherd's Bush are supposed to last.

And, in case you were wondering, LBHF get paid £1,300 per day and £650 each day during the set up and break down.

Is it all worth it? That rather depends on your point of view.

The Bush Telegraph offers a personal view on life in Shepherd's Bush. If you would like to contribute a story, email us at shepherdsbushblog@gmail.com. And don't forget to add your opinion in the comments section below.