A petition has been launched after the borough council scrapped annual fun fairs at Cassiobury Park after 70 years.
Stevens Fun Fair was told it cannot open in its usual location this spring and from now on will only be allowed there every other year.
Most readers reacted angrily and yesterday (Monday) a petition was started urging people to sign if they want the event to remain in the park.
It claims Watford Borough Council is “not listening to what the public wants” and points to residents not being consulted before the decision was made.
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“We are absolutely outraged and baffled why the council, in its wisdom, has decided not to go ahead with this year's fair, it's completely barmy,” it reads.
“The comments in the Watford Observer recently prove that many other residents strongly feel the same.”
The fair has been offered any other park in non-Cassiobury years, but organiser Charmaine Stevens fears they are not as suitable for an event attracting thousands.
It is understood the organisers remain undecided whether to bring the fair to Watford this year if it cannot open in Cassiobury.
Alan Gough, group head of community and environmental services, said: “We know that Stevens Fun Fair is much loved by many Watford residents which is why we are broadening the locations available to the owners, so they are not limited to holding the fair solely in Cassiobury Park.
“Last summer we agreed with the owners they could have access to other green spaces and Cassiobury every second year.
“The decision not to take up this offer is a real shame for the many children and young people who enjoy a visit to the fair.”
He continued: “We hope that over time Stevens will see the value of the fantastic award-winning green spaces we are offering and the opportunity to share the fair experience with a new set of residents who live further afield than Cassiobury.
“There are also the same number of events this year in the park, including a great family festival on June 4 which will have a range of attractions for all ages.”
More information on the petition can be found on https://www.change.org/watford-funfair.
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