The oldest fair in Wales has been cancelled for the second year running due to the coronavirus pandemic.
The Great Neath Fair is one of the biggest events in the borough's annual calendar and has been running for almost 700 years. Usually attracting traders from around the UK and Europe, more than 100 stalls would normally line the streets in Neath town centre when the fair takes place annually around the second Thursday of September.
In more recent years it has run in conjunction with the funfair in Milland Road car park operated by the Showman’s Guild. However, the iconic event has been cancelled again in 2021 because of the coronavirus pandemic. It did not go ahead for the first time in living memory last year when Neath Port Talbot Council cancelled all of the major events it was organising or facilitating.
Despite the outbreak of the First World War, Neath Fair still took place but, in 1945, it was declared 'out of order' by the South Wales section of the Showmen's Guild due to a dispute in rent and Guild members were advised to boycott the fair.
Neath Port Talbot Council said the decision for the event not to go ahead this year had been taken early "because of the significant preparation in advance that is necessary to stage these large events".c
A council spokesman said: "We realise the disappointment not having a Neath Fair 2021 will cause.
“But because of the uncertainty of what public safety restrictions may still be in place in September and the need for making meticulous forward plans for such an event it will be impossible to organise a safe and successful fair this year but we hope Neath Fair will be around for future years for many generations to enjoy.”
