The district council has blamed the impacts of climate change and the increased size of the event for not allowing Kenilworth Carnival to hold its funfair at Abbey Fields this year.

Locals have taken to social media over the past few days to express their disappointment at the decision, which threatens to end decades of local history.

Warwick District Council (WDC) told the carnival committee in December it would not be allowed to host the funfair at the town centre park for the 2024 event.

And today (February 28) it has released a statement following growing local pressure.

The local authority said its events and green spaces teams have been "assessing the impact of the funfair", on the fields for the "past couple of years" in terms of the "damage being caused to both the trees and the ground beneath".

WDC said it would support the committee in finding another site and with drawing up a "revised programme for the June event".

Stalls in Abbey Fields during the 2023 carnival weekend (image by James Smith)

"We fully understand the disappointment of both the carnival organisers and local residents that we are no longer able to hold the funfair on Abbey Fields particularly as the event is such a long-held tradition for the town of Kenilworth," Cllr Ella Billiald portfolio holder for arts and economy said in the statement.

"When the fete and funfair started around 70 years ago, it was on a much smaller scale and the trees surrounding the park weren't as large and mature. 

"In recent times the number of rides and stalls has increased as has the volume of vehicles and visitors on the site. 

"The impact of this combined with the effects of climate change with spells of very dry and wet weather has meant we have now reached a tipping point in terms of the stress and potential damage to tree root plates. 

"This means that if the funfair was allowed to go ahead, we would be in the situation of breaching our own guidelines for the management and care of Abbey Fields, which is an ancient monument that the council has a duty to protect."

Hundreds of residents lined the streets to see the carnival parade last summer (image by James Smith)

The council has not said exactly who made the final decision on the future of the funfair.

The funfair usually runs from Thursday to Sunday across the carnival weekend, alongside the Saturday parade, and classic car show.

Kenilworth Carnival's committee has already taken to social media to call for local support - as the event is also under severe financial pressure.

"As we said last year, we need your help," the post said.

"We have been working hard in the background with lots of arising issues.

"Kenilworth Carnival needs around £12,000 to go ahead this year."

It added: "Kenilworth Carnival has been running for nearly 100 years. 

"Now is the time to get involved and help keep this community-led occasion going. 

"The date has been set but will it go ahead due to funds and fair?"

Kenilworth Carnival has been approached for further comment.