A QUESTION marks hangs over next year's Haslemere's Charter Fair, after fears of escalating costs in providing adequate public liability insurance cover and a possible bill for policing the event.
Speaking at last week's Haslemere Town Council finances and general purposes committee, vice-chairman Patrick Kirkman, who is also a member of the fair committee, told councillors that if it couldn't get proper insurance "there is a big question mark whether the event will go ahead".
The debate followed a letter from chairman of the fair Paul Avery to the town council, outlining the concerns.
Another factor influencing the biennial fair was that while up to four special constables could be available for the event, at no charge to the organisers, a bill for regular constables of around £600 would have to be found to cover the five hours of the fair.
"The absence of the police would be a bad thing and could lower the status of the event," claimed James Mackie.
Brian Howard told the meeting that he believed there there were "worrying implications beyond the Charter Fair".
"We do need to send a positive message to the Charter Fair that we want to support them," said Mr Howard.
This week, Haslemere's Surrey county councillor Christine Stevens said she had spoken to Chief Constable for Surrey Denis O'Connor, "who had been made aware of the concerns being expressed".
Paul Avery said he was still "very optimistic that the event will go ahead".
"One way or another we'll get round the policing issue and I think everything will be resolved," he said.
The first Charter Fair was held in 1982 and next year is set to be the 12th of the modern fairs to celebrate the granting of the town's Elizabethan Charter to hold a fair, more than 300 years ago.
Last held in the year 2000, the fair attracted more than 12,000 visitors and was voted the best ever.