TIME distorts memory, but I have the impression that years ago I was told that the Royal Yard (where Debenhams is now) was given for use as the winter headquarters of the local fair families.

They would leave at the beginning of the season and return in September for the annual, week long Redditch Carnival, a high spot in our year.

The coming of the new town resulted in a change of route for the carnival and increasing petty rules and regulations laid down by the council and police resulted in organisers becoming so discouraged, the carnival ceased.

However, Wilson’s funfair continued to come, although much diminished from the early days due to lack of space, but nonetheless very welcome as a source of fun for the children and a nostalgic reminder to old Redditch residents.

Mr Wilson and his colleagues with their charitable work have done more for Redditch in my view than anyone from the town hall and I simply cannot believe the way the council are treating them; barricading the town off to deny them access as if they were a group of tinkers illegally occupying a site.

This is petty spite and I hope that everyone who appreciates what the fair folk have meant to this town will make their views known to those at the town hall.

M Morley Headless Cross