Downton Cuckoo Fair – 2nd May 2026
Dear Residents of The Borough, Green Lane, South Lane, Gravel Close and Long Close East,
The day of the Fair is fast approaching and whilst the set up of the Fair is much the same as in previous years, with our volunteer team supported by security personnel to deal with issues etc. inevitably there will be some inconvenience for residents within the road closure. I am writing simply to apologise in advance for this, and to thank you for your customary forbearance and patience.
ROAD CLOSURE – As a reminder, please note that the road through the village from the A338 to Tannery Bridge will be closed to vehicular access, via a Section 21 Road Closure, from 8:30am until 6.00pm. If possible the road will be opened sooner.
HOSTILE VEHICLE BARRIERS – We will have special purpose hostile vehicle barriers at The Bull and Tannery Bridge locations. By their very design they limit the ability for ad-hoc access to the road closure area and thus for vehicle movements during the fair.
EMERGENCY ACCESS & PAVEMENT TRADING – Please be aware that the Cuckoo Fair is required to maintain access through the village for Emergency Services. In the event of evacuation, incident or when emergency vehicles are driving along The Borough, Fair visitors would need to move onto the pavement. Please keep the pavements outside your property free of obstructions eg stalls or cars for safe use by pedestrians.
HOUSEHOLDER EVENTS – If you plan to hold an independent event on your own property to raise money for a charity or for personal benefit then you should carefully check your household insurance, licensing and tax liability. Your event is considered outside of the Cuckoo Fair and so will not come under its management or insurance etc.
CAR PARKING – As a resident living within the road closure, please find enclosed a parking pass enabling you to park your car free of charge in one of the car parks provided by the Fair. Note that these passes are issued to enable residents to move their own car from roadside parking to the Fair’s car parks so they can use them during the Fair. The Fair reimburses the car park operators for each resident’s car. The passes are not intended to be used for personal visitors or staff. If you require an additional car parking pass, these are available but may incur a charge of £10, please call the number above.
Please ensure cars are moved early and well before the road closure – car parks are open from 6.30am on Saturday and The Borough gets very busy with arriving stallholders. The following car parks are available – Barford Lane and Trafalgar School (which are accessible from each end of the village during the road closure, so that travel is possible to and from the village during the Fair) or the Cricket Field and Baptist Church (which will not be accessible during the road closure). Please park on the grass at the Baptist Church car park. Please leave an emergency contact number clearly visible inside your car windscreen. The car park managers have asked us to remind you that all cars must be removed from the car parks by 6.00pm Saturday as the car parks will then be locked until after the Bank Holiday Monday. No cars to be left in the cricket field over night.
CARER ACCESS – Please let us know if you require a visit from a carer (including details of their name / expected time) and we will ensure that the Barford Lane/Trafalgar School car park managers are aware of this so the carer can park there. They will have NO access by car to your premises as the road will be closed.
EMERGENCIES – If there are any issues during the Fair please contact the Cuckoo Fair Event Control on 07768 877639. This number will only be answered on the day from 7:00am to 6.00pm.
INFORMATION – please see our website for more information – https://cuckoofair.co.uk/info-4-residents
Yours sincerely
Edna Pike
Delivered to local residents in April 2026