Funfair boss talks about prospects of having to boycott Croydon
By Ross Lidbetter ross.lidbetter@essnmedia.co.uk
A funfair owner has spoken for the first time about his attraction's uncertain future in the borough.
Last week it was revealed that council chiefs had slapped a massive price hike on John Coneley's fair coming to town.
The popular funfair had been paying £224 a day to run in the borough's parks, but this cost is being almost tripled to £622 a day.
John Coneley, 77, owns and runs the fair with his son, also called John.
Although he has been bringing his funfair to the borough for the past 25 years, his family's link to the town goes back to the 19th century.
He insists he "loves Croydon" and doesn't want to lose the connection, but he simply doesn't know if it will make financial sense to come to the borough this summer.
Mr Coneley said: "Where the Fairfield Halls is there used to be a market and my great-grandfather used to have a little roundabout ride there.
"Kids used to pay about half a penny to go on that. I've run kiddies' rides - like swing boats - at fairs and schools all my life in Croydon.
"Some people will visit us just to go on a single ride, while others come along just to look at all the different colours."
As well as the thousands entertained when the fair visits Addington Park, Rotary Field in Purley and Ashburton Park every summer, the other winners are the charities which the Coneley family generously donates to.
These are the Croydon Lions Club, St Mary's Church in Addington, Radio Mayday and The Anthony Nolan Trust.
Mr Coneley said: "We just can't afford to pay this money every day. Take Ashburton Park, where we are for a 10-day period.
At over £600 a day that's well over £6,000 in total, without the other ins and outs of what it costs to run a fair like insurance and diesel.
"We couldn't afford to pay that and give to all the charities and that's so cruel."
The family is in contact with the council to try to reach an "amicable compromise", but its pleas have so far fallen on deaf ears.
A council spokesman said: "Although we fully understand the response from fair operators it remains the case that our charges remain favourable when compared to most other boroughs.
"Fairs still get a very good deal from Croydon. We are obliged to get best value for money for local taxpayers when commercial operations rent parkland for profit-making purposes."
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by Diane F, Norfolk
Saturday, October 16 2010, 10:54AM
“Just to put the record straight - Travelling Showmen are entertainers in their own right, merely carrying on family traditions which have been passed down to them over many generations. They are neither Gypsies nor Travellers. Unfortunately, however, they are misinterpreted and misunderstood by ignorant people, who pass judgement on them without knowing the true facts.”
by geoff, exeter
Monday, April 26 2010, 11:19AM
“I rember the dive bomber and waltzer when i was a kid.However the costs are a lot more expensive for parents to have to fork out now,how much a ride before this proposed rental hike.When my children were young i rember Max Bygraves opening the Ashburton park fair or fete.”
by George, Ex
Sunday, April 25 2010, 9:00PM
“Keep it out of Croydon , there are enough pikeys there as it is!”
by Arfur Towcrate, Staffycher
Sunday, April 25 2010, 9:45AM
“Poor George, you clearly don't understand basic grammar, polite debate or market forces.”
by Rachel Perrins, Raynes Park
Sunday, April 25 2010, 9:27AM
“The funfair in Ashburton Park is part of childhood and I will be very sad if it goes. I used to love seeing the lights from my house and going on the Waltzer to the sounds of 'Come on Eileen'.”