Daventry residents brand as "utterly bonkers" decision to let Mop Fair go ahead

Council insists organisers are sticking to Government's Covid-19 guidelines
This year's Daventry Mop Fair kicks off tonightThis year's Daventry Mop Fair kicks off tonight
This year's Daventry Mop Fair kicks off tonight

Residents are up in arms over local officials allowing this year's Daventry Mop Fair to go ahead despite the coronavirus crisis.

Hundreds are expected to turn up at this year's event which kicks off in the Old Gasworks car park tonight and lasts until Monday.

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But plenty of locals greeted Daventry District Council's confirmation it has given the fair the green light with alarm.

One resident posted on the council's Facebook page: "It seems utterly bonkers to let a fair go ahead when we are still in a pandemic and kids missing their education."

Another said: "It's so irresponsible of the council allowing a travelling fair into our little town! Just a great place to spread the virus.

"As a teacher in a secondary school I can honestly say teens just don’t get social distancing! I just can’t believe this is actually being allowed to happen!"

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And one mum added: "As a family that attends this every year we definitely will not be going this year!!! I can’t believe the council have allowed the go ahead — I’m sure for one year it wouldn’t be missed."

The Mop Fair traditionally attracts large numbersThe Mop Fair traditionally attracts large numbers
The Mop Fair traditionally attracts large numbers

Daventry council issued a statement earlier in the week saying it had faith in the fair organisers sticking to Covid-19 guidelines.

Entry will be by wristband only to control numbers, details of everyone going in will be collected and retained for track and trace and a strict one-way system will be in force with stewards and security on site to guide and support visitors and maintain social distancing measures.

A Daventry District Council spokesman said: “The fair is being organised in accordance with the Government's current Covid-19 secure guidelines and guidance from the fairground and funfairs industry.

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"The organiser is fully engaging and working with our Environmental Health Team on the arrangements to ensure Covid-19 secure measures are in place. This has involved providing risk assessments and implementing a range of control measures to ensure the public's safety.

"Our Environmental Health officers will attend the set-up of the fair to check measures are put in place.

“We are also liaising with our partners, including the police and Public Health, to ensure they are aware as part of the countywide Covid-19 response.”