This weekend Kenilworth hosted another Horse Fair. Does this event bring spectacle and diversity to Kenilworth or is it blot on a lovely peaceful market town?

According to those that organise and support such events Kenilworth is home of the Kenilworth Horse Fair, and our town's fame has spread far and wide. It is advertised by the Appleby Horse Fair Company as 'a key fair in any horseman's diary.'

Travellers from all over the country started to arrive in the town on Friday evening and by Saturday a large encampment had set up in the Abbey Fields.

Generally a Sunday morning walk through the Abbey Fields is one of the pleasures enjoyed since 1884 when the land was acquired by the Kenilworth Local Board protected by a covenant that they may forever be used as public walks or pleasure grounds.

This particular Sunday that covenant was broken and during the weekend part of the 27 hectares were inaccessible to the residents of Kenilworth; an area acquired by the Kenilworth Local Board for £6,000 was now filled with caravans, pickup trucks and grazing horses.

Warwick District Council who manage, but do not own the Abbey Fields as they were bequeathed to the Townsfolk of Kenilworth for 'recreation and pleasure purposes', are guardians of this oasis in the centre of our town and put in place byelaws to ensure that the wishes of our benefactors are upheld.

Yet they appear to condone this and fund the clearing of the rubbish that is left behind at considerable cost, 'at least £2,000 to clear Myton Road last year, and the use of Kenilworth Swimming Pool as a free washing block.'

This leaves the citizens of Kenilworth in a predicament. To welcome with open arms the diverse and colourful characters to our town and embrace a culture that brings Gypsy Cobs pulling brightly painted carts through our streets, can be seen as something to celebrate, not only be an event for travellers but something we can all enjoy, but this would permanently change the nature of the Abbey Fields.

Or do we ensure that our representatives uphold our rights as residents and taxpayers and keep our open spaces and pleasure grounds as was intended in 1884?

We can do both. The Appleby Horse Fair Company said of last year's fair 'Kenilworth in July was well supported - dealers and traders having a profitable day'. With such a money making event the organisers at Thickthorn could provide all the overnight camping facilities needed for this event, be self-funding, and not impact in a negative way on the town.

The Kenilworth Horse Fair can be an annual celebration for the residents of Kenilworth, another event to rank alongside Kenilworth Carnival and Kenilworth Festival.

All the residents of Kenilworth ask is that this does not change the nature of our Abbey Fields for which we are proud to have as part of our heritage.