Townspeople unite against date move ‘disaster’ for Littlehampton show

A show of hands at Thursday’s April 26) annual town meeting showed overwhelming support among residents for the event to remain in September.

Alan Humphrey, manager of the show, said the town council had been considering switching the date to August, but he warned this would be “an absolute disaster”, particularly for the horticultural section.

“The 2011 Town Show was the most successful ever. We had 724 exhibits, 62 from children. It would be a disaster if it was moved. The whole thing would be affected.”

Mr Humphrey said afterwards the show was timed to coincide with the growing season for flowers, fruit and vegetables and he feared a big drop in exhibits if the date was changed.

Town councillor Malcolm Belchamber supported Mr Humphrey. He said: “If the show was dying, by all means, change it. But it’s built up every year, year on year on year. That’s not the time to knock something on the head.”

He called for a show of hands, which appeared to give unanimous support to the show continuing in September.

Town clerk Peter Herbert said the matter would be coming up for discussion again at the next community resources committee of the town council.

All the publicity on the town council’s website gives the date for the show as Saturday, September 8.

This year’s event has had something of a bumpy ride, with a £5,000 reduction in its budget, originally proposed, later being restored by the town council in January.

It will be the 21st Town Show, and the 10th since it was merged with the town council’s Family Fun Day at the Rosemead Open Space.

Show schedules will be available shortly, with all 2011 exhibitors automatically being sent one.