What Considerations Have Been Made for Goose Fair 2021?

The 2021 Splendour Festival, Riverside Festival, Nottingham Beach and Nottingham Carnival events have all been cancelled as a result of planning issues related to the Covid-19 pandemic and the many logistical challenges it poses. Nottingham Goose Fair is planned to go ahead this October, but in order for it to go ahead, many tough calls have had to be made

William Percival, the chairman of the Nottinghamshire branch of the Showman’s Guild, and Councillor Eunice Campbell-Clark, Nottingham City Council’s portfolio holder spoke exclusively to Nottingham Post to address many of the proposals and considerations made about the 2021 event to make sure that attendees have a safe and fun experience.

1. Vaccine Passports to Qualify for Entry

With vaccine passports being considered for all large scale events in the coming months, this was one of the key consideration between Nottingham City Council and the Showman’s Guild.

Councillor Eunice Campbell-Clark said: “We are looking at the feasibility of how Goose Fair could be staged if the government was to introduce Covid passports as a requirement for entry to large events of over 20,000 people”

She added: “Any decision would be taken jointly with the Showmen’s Guild, but would of course be subject to any government legislation on Covid passports in the first instance.

“In addition, following a request from the Showmen’s Guild to consider the possibility of extending a future Goose Fair to a ten-day event, we are scoping out the feasibility of this.

“We expect to have reached a decision on both these considerations by the end of August.”

We are still yet to have confirmation about whether vaccine passports or Covid test will be required for entry to Goose Fair 2021.

2. Paid Ticketed Entry to Goose Fair

Goose Fair is an event enjoyed by people young and old, attracting people from across Nottinghamshire and the nearby counties with its many rides, stalls and activities. Attendees are free to enter, roam and explore without restrictions. However, there have been discussions as to whether this should continue for the first event to take place after the Covid-19 pandemic.

If Goose Fair does happen, Mr Percival has confirmed that there will be no charge for entry. He said: “The Goose Fair is over 700 years old and there has never been a charge”.

He added: “It’s not the city council’s fair. It’s the people of Nottingham’s fair. The council has put in suggestions to the showmen and there are certain things that the showmen won’t agree with”.

Mr Percival was adamant that event if the event charged £1 per entry, they wouldn’t go ahead, because it would set a bad precedent for the future.

He added: “There’s usually 450,000 people who usually come to the Goose Fair and if they charge a pound that’s a further £450,000 they’ve had and they’re not likely to let that go. We’re fearful that once it’s been done they will want to continue doing that every year and we’re not having it.

It’s official: there will be no charge and no ticketed entry for Goose Fair 2021.

3. Fencing Off Forest Recreation Ground

Goose Fair takes place at Forest Recreation Ground and it will be the location if the 2021 event takes place. That said, Mr Percival has been clear that they will not go to the effort of erecting fencing to contain attendees. Events such as Nottingham Carnival have been contained in this manner in the past, but it appears it won’t be a consideration for the organisers.

Mr Percival said: “Under no circumstances will we allow Goose Fair to go ahead with a fence around it.”

Referring to the way tickets and fencing would deter some from attending, he added: “I know a couple of people who are in their 80s and they’ve gone for years. They just go round and have a cup of tea or have a burger or some chips and just have a walk round every year.”

He added: “We’re not going to accept it and if we have to go without the Goose Fair another year, we’ll have to go without it. We feel to safeguard that fair and bring it back to normality like it used to be we have to make this stand.

“There are negotiations over the extra money they want for this year and we don’t mind negotiating that but as far as putting a fence around it and charging the public to come in that’s not acceptable to us and it’s not acceptable to the people of Nottingham. Even though they just keep saying it’s only a pound, you get a pound 450,000 times it’s a lot of money, and they’ll just ruin it.

“We’ve been there all of our lives most of us, our grandfathers and everyone else before us – don’t get me wrong I know we’re in the middle of a pandemic – but there’s other ways it could be done.”

It’s confirmed: there won’t be any barriers to enter Forest Recreation Ground for Goose Fair 2021.

4. 10-Day Goose Fair

Goose Fair traditionally takes place between midweek and the weekend in early October every year in Nottingham. While Goose Fair 2021 is expected to take place between Wednesday 6 to Sunday 10 October, the suggestion has been made to extend it to become a 10-day event.

The alternative plan would potentially reduce footfall per day, making the event less crowded and naturally more socially distanced. The Showman’s Guild is currently trying to negotiate rates to hold Nottingham Goose Fair for an extended time at Forest Recreation Ground.

Mr Percival said: “There’s certain things in the agreement that’s acceptable. They’ve asked us to go on a committee to look at how we could help the environment out over the next few years which we don’t mind doing that.”

He added: “I do know our members won’t accept a fence and paying gate. If we have to lose it another year, then we have to lose it another year.”

The showmen are due to meet up on 2 August to discuss Goose Fair 2021 plans and whether it will take place at all.