A Norwood Green Village Day organiser has described how seeing travellers on the fairs venue just days before it started almost led her to tears.
The 80-year-old Norwood Green Day Committee member, who asked not to be named, said she had never seen the green in such a state after more than 20 travellers moved on there.
It sparked fears the fair could be cancelled for the first time in its 84-year-old history, before organisers agreed to move it to nearby Norwood Hall Playing Field in time for Saturday (July 9).
Upon discovering it might be cancelled, the heartbroken committee member said: "I have lived here 80 years and I have never seen the green in such a state.
"When I heard it could be cancelled, I could have cried - a lot of hard work went in to this".
The new site is behind Khalsa Primary School, in Norwood Green Road - a short walk from the green.
And the defiant committee member added: "To think it was all going to be cancelled because of these travellers.
"But now I hope people will come and support us (at the new venue). In a sense it is an act of defiance, I think we're made of stronger stuff".
