Fair in Stow should not be called Gypsy Gathering, former mayor claims

From Gloucestershire Echo

TOWN leaders in Stow have been criticised for dubbing a bi-annual fair a "Gypsy Gathering".

Former mayor Vera Norwood, who is president of the Gypsy Council for Welfare, Education and Civil Rights, fears the name will stop visitors coming to the Stow Fair next month.

She has spoken out after the new title appeared in this month's Stow Times, which also gives the wrong date for next month's event – the larger of the bi-annual celebrations – as May 24, when it is on May 10.

Ms Norwood, a long-term champion of the controversial event which divides townspeople, claimed the name gives out the wrong message.

"Calling Stow Fair a 'Gypsy Gathering' looks very much like an attempt to airbrush our traditional fair because it's now held on gypsy-owned land," she said.

"Gypsy Gathering is very incorrect. Many people who are not gypsies attend and have always done so.

"These two fairs are a very ancient tradition and all are welcome.

"Let us be proud of this unique event and get more tourists from abroad to attend.

"Don't just denigrate it to a Gypsy Gathering – what does that convey?"

Ms Norwood said printing the wrong date would also mislead hordes of visitors.

In February, the town council ruled Stow Fair was not a proper Charter fair and should be called the Gypsy Gathering or Stow Horse Fair.

The council now owns the Lord of the Manor title, which gives the rights to hold two Charter markets a year in The Square, which would be called Stow Fair.

Controversy has raged for years over whether the existing fair is a true Charter event.

Current Stow Mayor Robin Jones said: "It's a gathering for selling horses and gypsies meeting each other. That's how CDC refers to it."

Stow Times editor Jenni Turner said: "The notes came from the town council and the date was a genuine error."