Rationale for the implementation of Rules within Fakenham Town Market Square

Club Members may be aware that Police and Local authorities raised concerns about traffic and pedestrian safety issues during some pre-Christmas events that were held in and around the Fakenham Town Centre in late 2025. Those concerns have also focused onto all ongoing similar Events, and this in turn draws attention to our own Monthly Meet and Display Saturday morning gatherings at the Fakenham Town Market Square.

As a result we are required to identify to the Authorities what our safety and control measures are, and seek their approval / recommendations if we are to continue to hold these Events and to comply with the Club Public Liability Insurance policy. This work has been ongoing for several weeks, and we have formalised the protocols that will apply on these Saturday morning sessions.

A copy of the protocols are set out here. It is essential that all Members adhere to these.

Protocols for the Fakenham Town Market Square monthly market place meeting

Preparation for the Fakenham Town Market Square monthly market place meeting

Before the arrival of vehicles, barriers shall be placed at the two road entrances which are located either side of the war memorial. This is to prevent vehicular access to Fakenham Town Market Square via these two roads. These barriers prevent the mixing of pedestrians with moving vehicles.

The barriers shall be in place for the duration of the market place meeting, i.e. from 0830 hours to 1200 hours, apart from exceptional circumstances, e.g. emergency situations, early exit by vehicles – see commentary below contained within the category “Exiting Fakenham Town Market Square”.

Route and access to Fakenham Town Market Square

Vehicles attending the market place meeting are guided from the entry points into the market place area, being either via Oak Street or Market Place, into Quaker Street. Vehicles shall drive along Quaker Street then turning left into Tunn Street. Access into Fakenham Town Market Square shall be made only by this route. No other route shall be used. The statutory speed limits must be adhered to at all at times by the driver of the vehicle.

Parking of vehicles within Fakenham Town Market Square

Vehicles enter Fakenham Town Market Square after exiting Tunn Street. As the vehicle owner enters Fakenham Town Market Square, they will see Marshall(s). Marshalls will direct vehicle owners where to park their vehicle within Fakenham Town Market Square.

Vehicle owners will follow all of the instructions of Marshalls.

Exiting Fakenham Town Market Square

Vehicle owners will exit Fakenham Town Market Square only by entering Market Place. Exit via Tunn Street is forbidden. Normal exit time is 1200 hours.

If vehicle owners wish to exit Fakenham Town Market Square earlier than 1200 hours the barriers shall be temporarily moved by the Marshalls at their sole discretion to allow vehicular access into Market Place.

The role of Marshalls

Marshalls will facilitate the direction and parking of vehicles. Marshalls shall be placed at convenient positions along the approach route.

Marshalls are to direct cars to a designated parking place within Fakenham Town Market Square.

Safety to the general public

Owners of all vehicles entering Fakenham Town Market Square to take part in the monthly market place meeting will comply with the following procedures:

  • The vehicles gearbox has to be left in the neutral position
  • The vehicles handbrake has to be deployed
  • Engines shall be kept turned off whilst the car is parked in Fakenham Town Market Square
  • Keys are to be removed from the vehicles ignition and kept in the owners possession
  • The vehicles bonnet and / or boot lid is / are to be kept closed at all times. The only time that the bonnet and / or boot lid can be opened is when the owner undertakes this procedure
  • The bonnet and / or boot lid must not be left open
  • Noise shall be kept to a minimum. If noise made by an attending vehicle is deemed by a Marshall to be excessive then the owner of offending vehicle shall be asked to remove the vehicle
  • The vehicle shall be kept locked by the owner unless the owner requires access into the vehicle
  • If required, the vehicle has to have a current and valid MOT certificate
  • It is the responsibility of the vehicle owner to insure the vehicle. In order to attend the Fakenham Town Market Square monthly market place meetings, the vehicle has to have a current and valid insurance policy in place.

A maximum of 30 vehicles shall be permitted to park within Fakenham Town Market Square. The owner of any vehicle that exceeds the 30 vehicle maximum ceiling will be obliged to park elsewhere. At Marshall discretion, the vehicle owner can return to park their vehicle within Fakenham Town Market Square should the maximum number parked should fall below the 30 vehicle ceiling.

No movement of vehicles is permitted whilst the Fakenham Town Market Square monthly meeting is taking place. The only movement permitted by a vehicle is when it is either being parked within Fakenham Town Market