Traveller anger at ‘broken’ Peterborough Horse Fair vow - Cambridgeshire

From the Peterborough Telegraph

The leader of a Peterborough group of Travellers claims council officials have broken a promise to allow him to put on a summer horse fair.

Jack Cunningham (63) claims he was told late last year by Peterborough City Council that he would be allowed to stage a horse fair show in the summer on the Embankment.

Now he has vowed to press on with his plans regardless of whether he gets the go ahead or not.

The Travellers’ host a horse fair show on New Year’s Day each year at the Pleasure Meadow car park, in Peterborough, which is always well attended.

The event attracts visitors and Travellers from across the country and from overseas.

Mr Cunningham said: “I was promised last year by a council official that I would be allowed to put on a horse fair in the summer

“Now I have been told that’s not possible because there are no available dates left. I am very upset by this and I think the excuses I’ve been given are a just a load of nonsense.

“These events are hugely important to the travelling community. I want the council to work with us. If it won’t, I plan to hold a summer horse fair regardless of what the council says. It will go on.”

A council spokeswoman denied a promise had been made.

She said: “Mr Cunningham did contact us and request to use the Embankment for a horse fair this summer but unfortunately we have had to turn this request down. A number of events are already scheduled for the Embankment this summer and in addition we are trying to keep key locations such as this free in July and August for any events which may take place to mark the World War I centenary. As a result we have had to refuse a number of requests to use the site this summer.”