With opinion amongst town councillors divided over the future siting of Wilmslow's smallest tourist attraction, the Town Council has decided to request that Cheshire East Council (CEC) refrains from making a decision until all the views have been taken into consideration.
This week the Town Council received a letter from John Thorpe, Hon. Secretary of the Romany Society, (which he also published here on wilmslow.co.uk) and a letter from Rev.G.Bramwell Evens' family - both of which were in support of moving the Vardo to Bradford Museum.
However, the Town Council has been informed that the Committee of the Romany Society is divided with 4 in favour of finding a museum type environment to protect the Vardo and 3 adament that it should remain in Wilmslow.
Wilmslow Town Council has also been presented with findings from market research carried out at the Artisan Market on Saturday, 15th September, which showed that of the 233 SK9 residents interviewed 231 agreed that the Vardo should remain in Wilmslow and of the 140 non-SK9 residents interviewed 138 agreed it should remain in Wilmslow.
Councillors themselves were unable to agree on the future of the caravan at their meeting on Monday, 17th September, and were reluctant to make a decision.
Cllr Keith Purdom said "If at all possible I take the view that the caravan should remain in Wilmslow, it is part of Wilmslow's heritage, Romany was an important resident of Wilmslow.
"However, it has to be under cover. I did make a suggestion that it goes in the leisure centre but was told that the dimensions prevent that. I can't help but think there must be an alternative, maybe providing a car port, but failing an alternative I should like to see it remain in Cheshire East."
Cllr Ellie Brooks commented "I would absolutely love to see it back where it was. It could stay out in the open as it has been there for 70 years, but I am swayed by the family who would like to see it in the museum."
Cllr Sue Menlove added "I would like to see it go to the museum in Bradford. It has been repaired beautifully and will be at risk of vandalism."
Town Clerk Matthew Jackson told councillors "If we cannot make a decision then we can decide not to get involved and leave it to CEC and the Romany Society to continue their discussion. As it stands at the moment the Town Council do not have any powers to do anything."
The Town Council agreed to ask CEC to take a pause and delay from making a decision until all the new views, including those that had come from the market research are considered.
