Ballyclare May Fair saga rumbles on

Last week, the Times reported that more than 200 years of tradition could be lost if the council decides to move the popular horse trading fair from Main Street to Sixmilewater Park, after police advised the local authority that it does not have the power to close the road.

Horse trading on Main Street has been a tradition of the festival since it began in the mid-1700s. In previous years roads had been closed in the centre of the town to facilitate the horses on the understanding that the May Fair Charter allowed for this.

However, a recent report presented to members revealed that the historic charter "does not in fact refer to road closures."

At Monday night's meeting of the full council, several members expressed frustration that no concrete decision had yet been made on the matter, with time marching on and the fair getting ever closer.

Councillor Pamela Barr said that as a regular attender of both the May Fair, and also of the many long meetings of the Ballyclare May Fair Sub Committee, she was wondering why a decision could not be made once and for all on the arrangements for the event, and this be adhered to.

"I have sat for hours in meetings discussing and arguing this issue, but no decision made at these meetings is seen through. I am disappointed to find that once again, decisions we have made at sub-committee meetings are still being discussed, and things are being held back," she said.

Alderman Paul Girvan revealed that traditionalists wished to keep the horse trading on Main Street, but this was now being countered by the police stance on the matter.

"As of Friday of last week this has gone further up than just local level, to the Assistant Chief Constable, so we will have to see what comes of that approach," said Mr Girvan.

"The police won't say that they will close the road on the day, and that means we cannot plan anything.

“We would be flying by the seat of our pants if we leave it till the morning of the fair, and we don't want then to be seen as breaking the law."

Ballyclare May Fair organisers are meeting this evening, Thursday, February 25, in order to make a decision on the location of this year's events.

There is speculation that the horse trading will move to the park this year, while some amusements and light stalls will remain at the Square.