The Core Team have had their first “Cuckoo Fair 2026” meeting which mainly focused on the list of possible improvements which had been fed back by all in our Post Fair wash up meeting. We do this every year as this informs us of areas where we can improve the Fair to make it even more enjoyable for our visitors.
Of particular note was that all of our new volunteers who joined us in 2024 to help organise the 2025 event wish to return to help organise the 2026 event. This is great news and the date is set for the 2nd May.
Next year will see the overall format being much the same with hopefully plenty of new stalls and attractions. Over one third of all the stalls this year were new to the Fair and this was testament to the skill of our new Bookings Manager who recruited these stalls to the Fair.
We have had to moderately raise the cost of most of the stalls for our exhibitors due to pressure on our costs. It is quite a difficult balance to agreeprices for all our stalls etc (our major source of income) in October without knowing our true costs until much nearer the Fair. We have to budget forMedical Cover for around 18,000 people, we have to ensure we buy therelevant insurance and we do provide added security. Adding to this we bookthe entertainment, marquees, bins, toilets and we run off 5,000 copies of ourDay Leaflet.
It is estimated that the cost to lay on the Cuckoo Fair next year will be around £45K but we are encouraged that this allows our schools, churches, pubs, clubs and charities to raise their much needed funds. Trafalgar School for example operate one of the car parks and they raise much needed funds from the car park charge.
Finally we would like to thank the generosity of local business Toomers Ltd foronce again sponsoring the Fair and providing the road barriers. Equally ourthanks go to Batt Broadbent Solicitors who are again sponsoring the printing ofour Day Leaflet.
Should anyone wish to volunteer their services around or on the Event Day please contact us at cuckoofair.co.uk/contact-us.
Published in InDownton (November 2025).