Forest Hill Traders Association Wrote:
A few years ago it was decided that all religious and political groups and civic societies, due to issues in previous years, would be unable to attend this event. It was decided at this meeting, by the committee, that this ruling would still be enforced so unfortunately we are unable to accommodate your society at the event.

I really do not understand this response as it surely is in the community interest to have something like the FHS at this event.

I have asked around several reputable local traders who are members of the FHTA and none of them were aware of any such ' decision' to ban certain groups, nor were there aware that there was even
a) a FHTA Committee or
b) a ' meeting' at which such things were discussed.

One even said he would be upset to hear he was potentially cited as excluding something like the FHS as he was himself a member and thought they were doing a great job.

I would like to know what previous ' issues' there were with civic societies as to the best of my knowledge, having attended probably most Forest Hill Days since they started, there have been no 'civic societies' in attendance by virtue of the fact that there were none representing Forest Hill. And in respect of a ban on political parties, how was the sitting MP able to have a stall there if that was so.

As someone has said, I suspect there is more to this than meets the eye. Has it perhaps something to do with the Horniman policy on who can attend or is it simply one of money, ie businesses have to pay to attend? Whilst FHD is a great day out for families, an equally great day out can be had in the Horniman Gardens most Sundays, more so when they put on one of their events. Effectively Forest Hill Day has become little more than a Sunday market at which local businesses do some self promotion. Not a bad thing in itself. but lets appreciate that is what it now is, not the ' community' day out which its advertised as being.