THE contentious issue of Weymouth's funfairs has brought out the best – and worst – of a town.

Wednesday's debate at the town council offices saw scores of residents and community figures come together, delivering passionate speeches in a display of democracy in action. Many more watched the meeting via livestream.

The complex issue resulted in a debate lasting more than two hours, with several rounds of amendments proposed. Ultimately, a compromise was found and cancelled funfair bookings at the Pavilion forecourt were reinstated.

It was always going to be a challenging task to keep the discussion on track, and although some online commenters have expressed contempt towards the council due to the back-and-forth nature of the meeting, this was inevitable in order for everyone to have their say and for evidence to be examined. The council has welcomed public participation throughout the process. 

It followed several weeks of public outcry, as residents took to social media to express dismay after funfair bookings were cancelled by the town council's services committee following allegations of anti-social behaviour and noise.

The debate was not always healthy.

Members of the Weymouth Hoteliers Guest House & Leaseholders Association (WHGHLA) who initially complained about disruption on funfair nights, expressed concerns about backlash aimed towards them on social media.

Meanwhile, Edward Danter of Danters funfairs said he had been unfairly blamed for anti-social behaviour, which many say is rife in the resort regardless of whether or not the funfair is in town.

There has been a noticeable increase in ASB since the pandemic according to town councillor Luke Wakefield, who tabled the recent motion that led to the issue being brought back before the council.

At the meeting Phil Say, manager of Weymouth Pavilion, reiterated that theatre takings are down 25 per cent during fair nights.

On the other hand a former supervisor of Weymouth’s CCTV control room said the problem of youths gathering behind the Pavilion and ‘sniffing drugs' canisters’ was worse when the fair was not in town.

Another local person said: “Danter's fair is the only thing children have to look forward to… if you get rid of it, you get rid of Weymouth. There is nothing for kids in Weymouth.”

Councillor Tia Roos spoke out about "toxic" online trolling after a website posted vitriolic remarks along with screenshots taken from her private Facebook page, unrelated to funfairs. This was later taken offline by its author.

Councillor Christine James spoke in support of the Pavilion, and suggested the council should take ASB claims seriously as its manager had saved the theatre when it was at risk of closure.

After the meeting, mayor Ann Weaving said: “The decision to reinstate the funfair bookings on the Pavilion forecourt, along with the additional measures we have agreed the operators must put in place, seeks to address the diverse concerns put forward from members of the public, local organisations, and local businesses.

"The funfairs provide activities for the benefit of both residents and visitors, and I’m grateful to everyone who has taken the time to contribute their views on this topic.”