The show, which would have been celebrating its eighth year, normally takes place over the first weekend in August in St Peter’s and sees between 4,000 and 5,000 taking a step back in time to enjoy everything from historical vehicles to sheep racing.
Organising committee president Ron Le Cras said there was now just to much paperwork, administration and form filling needed from the States.
‘It’s just got ridiculous, it’s health and safety, it’s Traffic & Highways, data protection, it’s everything and it just takes too long,’ he said.
‘It is not a decision we have taken lightly, but we have struggled for the past couple of years, organising the show is not the problem, it’s the paperwork.’
He said that since the first show in 2018, the administration had increased dramatically: ‘It has taken the fun out of organising the show for the public,’ he said.
‘At the moment we are just cancelling for this year, but we will have to think about the future. We know people will be disappointed.
‘I have had people emailing me from the UK wanting to know dates so they can organise to come with their families.’
He added that everything that was simple had become complicated, and he found a lack of help or co-operation within the States departments.
‘Take the highways permits – we have to fill in for every steam tractor to get them up to the showground from the docks,’ he said.
‘They want to know every sort of detail on some of the old vehicles and the forms are not just fit for purpose. We had loads of problems with proving health and safety with water for the animals last year. That we had to overcome and we were facing a repeat again this year.’
A Traffic & Highway Services spokesman said they were is sorry to hear that the show organisers were considering not going ahead with this year’s event, particularly if the THS application process has formed part of this decision.
‘Upon hearing this news, we have contacted the organisers to discuss options of support with them or look to see where information provided for previous events could be used where applicable,’ he said.
‘Due to the nature of the event, with several large visiting vehicles, certain information is required to understand how the public highway might be impacted and whether any vehicles require permits or an escort in line with legislative requirements. Some of these requirements may differ from the UK due to the nature of our roads which may cause confusion, but we would be happy to answer any questions event organisers have and guide people through this process if needed.’
However, Mr Le Cras is concerned that the abundance of bureaucracy would also be putting off other volunteer event organisers.
‘If they want our show, and others, to continue the States need to come to us and ask how they can help,’ he said.
‘You think – what encouragement do I get from the States?
‘It’s just hurdles and hurdles.’
