Rugeley fireworks fair bid sparks fury

Organisers of a gala fireworks display in Rugeley are outraged that permission was granted for a fairground to set up against their wishes.

The 'Back to School with a Bang' event is to replace the scrapped fireworks finale at the annual Charter Fair, held in June.

The traditional fireworks finale was scrapped because of the burden of marshalling Hagley Fields from early in the morning until late at night. The new event on September 4 is billed as a final fling for families before children return to school.

But Staffordshire County Council has approved an application from a travelling fairground to set up nearby on the same field.

Cannock Chase district councillor Tony Williams, cabinet member for Environment and a Rugeley resident, said the presence of the licensed fairground means the Town Council is prohibited from providing small-scale amusement 'rides' aimed at toddlers.

Rugeley Town Council is footing the bill for the free display, including paying to use the public field, and paying a £1,500 deposit to the county council committing them to leaving the field in the condition they found it.

But organisers say the unwanted fairground, which also pays to use the site, will be at the site for two full days and that its operators should fund any clean-ups bills.

Chris Woodward, chairwoman of the town council's Festival and Charter Fair committee, said volunteers will have to be at the site early in the morning to clean it up.

"The fairground has learned that the event is happening and has applied to be there," she said.

"The money helps the council to fund the youth centre, which we understand, but it all comes down to money. The fairground is there to make money on the back of the free event we are providing, so why should we also have to pay?"