There was drama in the normally laidback Cornish seaside town of Fowey this month when matters got heated over the future of its popular Christmas market. It definitely wasn't the season to be jolly when the Deputy Mayor disagreed with comments made by the event's organiser, resigned and walked out of a tense town council meeting.
Since 2015 Fowey’s Christmas market weekend has been operated by Truro-based events management company Live Events South West (LESW) - which is run by managing director Andrew Weaver - after winning a tender with the then Fowey Chamber of Commerce. Following dissolution of that iteration of the chamber, Fowey Town Council agreed to grant an annual licence to LESW to run the event on Town Quay and Webb Street car park.
LESW previously used the Town Hall as a venue for the market, but from 2022 Fowey Town Council ran its own “artisan Christmas market” in the venue, organised by Deputy Mayor Patrick Hughes. In advance of this year's festive event, Mr Weaver asked the council to agree to return the use of the Town Hall to LESW to support the ever-increasing costs of running the market, which involves the construction of marquees on Fowey's two quays and road closures.
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The matter was discussed at a heated town council meeting earlier this month. A local business owner, who was at the meeting but did not want to be named, said: "It was rather an eventful meeting involving the dramatic resignation of the Deputy Mayor."
Mr Weaver presented his case for why the use of the Town Hall as part of the official market weekend was vital to support the market both financially and practically. Passionate statements were made by local business owners in attendance, explaining how vital the revenue from the market weekend is to cash flow over the quieter months. The public part of the meeting then closed in accordance with the rules governing such meetings and the councillors were invited to give their views.
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The business owner said: "Cllr Hughes stated that he disagreed with the statements made by Andrew Weaver and went so far as to assert that Mr Weaver was not being truthful in those assertions. It became quickly apparent to all those present that the relationship between Mr Weaver and Cllr Hughes was volatile and in the circumstances the meeting was closed again in order to permit Mr Weaver to respond to the allegations against him.
"In a sudden outburst, Cllr Hughes jumped up, exclaimed that he did not agree with anything Mr Weaver said, tendered his resignation as a councillor and walked out of the meeting."
Following his departure, the council agreed that LESW could again use the Town Hall for this year's Christmas market, which is held on November 22 to 24. Councillors agreed the hire charge for the Town Hall stallholders should rise from £45 to £60, which, if there were 15 stalls, would generate the £900 requested by LESW, which would go towards the organisation of the 2024 Christmas Market.
Mr Weaver, who also runs the Made in Cornwall scheme, spoke to us after the eventful meeting. He said: "Since we took on an ailing Fowey Christmas Market in 2015 we have gone well beyond the call of duty to make the event what it is today; a huge asset to Fowey and Cornwall, a winter lifeline to its businesses and something to look forward to for its residents and the wider community, locally and internationally, who are part of the 20,000 visitors who enjoy the festive weekend each year.
"As you can imagine, we have been presented every obstacle thrown at us over the last few years with the pandemic, costs more than doubling and the collapse of the Fowey Chamber coinciding at the same time. This meant we had to dig deep and take on more responsibility and costs to ensure the Fowey Christmas Market survived."
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He added: "Losing a critical venue revenue in the Town Hall to Fowey Town Council's own ideas had its implications on our ability to cover the costs of the Fowey Christmas Market. It made things more difficult as costs were rising significantly. This included the doubling of the hire fee of the Town Quay hire from Fowey Town Council a year later in 2022.
"With the difficulties presented we are pleased that businesses and residents from Fowey came to the meeting to support us and share their views on the matter. The meeting was challenging and there had been unnecessary obstacles placed in front of us over the years. However, we are pleased that Fowey Town Council have made the right decision for the greater good.
"With Patrick's resignation we are now confident we have a more considerate and supportive set of councillors. I hope we can now work together more cooperatively for years to come and give everyone what they want, and in many cases rely on each year. We have many people waiting on this news so we must now get things moving and we look forward to hosting everyone again in November.”
Following his dramatic resignation, Mr Hughes told us: “As is often the case when important developments are being discussed, there was a lively debate during the meeting. I strongly disagreed with the statements made by Andrew Weaver and I maintain my position.
"The Artists, Designers and Makers Fair held in the Town Hall over the last two years was loved by everyone and I would like to thank the local artists and volunteers who supported this event and made it such an immense success. I have enjoyed being involved in Fowey Town Council and I wish everyone on it, without exception, all the very best for the future. I would also like to wish Andrew Weaver a very Merry Christmas."
Fowey Town Council clerk Sally Vincent said: "Patrick has been a hard-working and much-valued councillor for many years and his resignation is a great loss to FTC."
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