THE organisers of one of Whitchurch’s most anticipated events have clashed with Shropshire Council just a week before the event - after being accused of fly-posting in their promotions.
Posters had been put up around town highlighting this year's Blackberry Fair on the first Saturday of October - but the county council responded with some fruity emails of its own, demanding that the posters be removed.
The seeds of doubt were sown when event organiser Steve Chapman received an email from the council warning that he had 10 days to remove posters.
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He said: “They have rules and regulations against fly-posting.
“I wrote back to them and told them we are a community organisation and all the ins and outs, and got no reply.
“So, I wrote to them again, and they said rules are rules and that we need to take them off.”
He was also warned that if he failed to remove them, an enforcement team would be sent out to remove the posters.
Steve has just returned from holiday and has told the council he will be removing the posters today, September 25.
A spokesperson from Shropshire Council said: “A number of signs and notices have recently appeared on and around the A-road roundabouts in Whitchurch.
“As such flyposting on public land is illegal we contacted each of the organisations and businesses responsible and asked them to remove their signs within 10 days – and also gave them an additional two days’ grace.
“Where signs and notices hadn’t been removed by today’s deadline, we instructed our contractor to remove them.”
Steve said the posters were advertising an event that promotes the town.
He said: “The sad part is that’s what they are also doing – adhering to the rules that take care of the town.”
He said he understands the reasons for the regulations, but said he hoped to come to an agreement with the council.
“All our signs are made out of recycled material, handmade and taken down after the event”, Steve added.
“I appreciate when they say it creates a precedent for others, but I noticed others get away with it.”
The organisers are worried that it risks stopping the event being properly publicised.
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Steve added: “Our signs with their messages aren't just simply decoration and they gave purpose and meaning about nurturing positive energy.
“Through positive energy comes positive action – and we invite Shropshire Council to come and experience it.”
The Blackberry Fair promises great entertainment with their title this year ‘Sugar Fiddle on the Fringe’.
Together with Arts Alive, they hope to bring ‘The Yorkshire Kernel’ and ‘The Land Girl’ at Badapple Theatre Company on Friday, September 29 at 7.30pm.
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