An ancient fair held annually since 1189 has been cancelled for the first time in over 800 years due to soaring costs and a lack of volunteers.

       The St Edmund’s Day celebration has been held in the town square of Petworth, West Sussex, on Nov 20 since the 12th century – uninterrupted even by World Wars and the Covid pandemic.

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       But this week it was announced the fair will not take place due to soaring costs and a lack of volunteers.

       Mike Mulcahy, chairman of both the Petworth Society and the fair’s organising committee, said costs had risen after ride companies started asking for payment upfront, rather than relying on revenue from the day, for the first time.

       Prof Mulcahy said the ride companies had made the change due to the cost of hiring labourers to set them up for the one-day event.

       However, he said that while he believed the “interest is there” for the historic fair, a decrease in volunteer staff had also put too much strain on the organising committee, adding that just four people were on the St Edmund’s Day fair organising committee last year.

       His wife, Eleanor Mulcahy, who runs the social media channel for the Petworth Society, said that the fair had “become impossible to manage” due to changes that have taken place in recent years.

       She wrote: “Perhaps the fair can survive in a different shape, after all, it began as a horse and sheep fair over 800 years ago and has slowly changed to become the event as we know it today.

       “However, with that change has come greater responsibility for the organisers.

       “Health and safety requirements are onerous and with less than a handful of volunteers it has become impossible to manage.”

       Ms Mulcahy said there was “no doubt” the fair was popular but it could not continue in future years “without greater local support”.

       “It’s very much about preserving an important tradition in the town, but without the help of the community the task is hugely daunting for just the handful of dedicated volunteers who have been struggling to make it happen for a long while.”

       Prof Mulcahy said the group had received “quite a bit of flack” for their decision to cancel the fair, but said that the group needed around ￡6,000-￡7,000 if they wanted to continue to run it in future.

       “I think the interest is there,” he continued, “I think it’s just down to expense.”

       Prof Mulcahy continued: “It has become very expensive for young families. A family with two children, with rides ￡4 or ￡5 each. Just before Christmas, it’s a hell of a lot of money.”

       The event organisers have looked at ways to cut down on costs of the event, including by no longer having the fair’s “well loved” South Down Gallopers carousel in future years.

       The town’s busy November schedule has also been a contributing factor to its cancellation, Prof Mulcahy said.

       The Petworth Society is holding a forum on Nov 16 at Leconfield Hall, where residents are being encouraged to drop in, make suggestions and volunteer to help next year.