George Irvine's Funfair Returns on 20 Sept 2022

George Irvin's Funfair is back at Shepherd's Bush Green, from 20th September until 2nd October. The Funfair was supposed to start this week but has been postponed in honour of the passing of our late Queen.  

The funfair is a bit of a "Marmite" event - many love it, others hate the noise and disruption that it brings, especially those who live on or near Shepherd's Bush Green and resent the noise it causes, particularly late at night.

George Irvin's Funfair is a regular visitor to Shepherd's Bush. In recent years they have stayed for up to a full month, but following neighbourhood complaints our local Council scaled them back to 2 1/2 weeks.

LBHF Consultation

At a recent LBHF Consultation in August, a number of local residents felt that their views were not being listened to by our council, and that the consultation process itself was merely a formality.  

What is surely clear is that local residents and the council need to work together to find solutions that keep everyone happy.

The Trouble with Funfairs

Damage caused by funfairs 

The big lorries that transport the funfairs cause damage to Shepherd's Bush Green, which even at the best of times feels badly treated.

Councillor Sue Fennimore, of Avondale Ward, has actively engaged with residents' concerns in the past, and supported scaling back the funfairs.

Scars on Shepherd's Bush Green
The funfair lorries that bring in the heavy equipment lay down big metal causeways on the ground in order to transport their kit, 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.  They cannot lay down turf because the turf gets stolen.

Local Councillors
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

Funfairs at Shepherd's Bush Green
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 Shepherd's Bush Blog 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.