THE organisers of this year's Cotgrave Festival claim the event has been "sabotaged" after the signs advertising it mysteriously disappeared over night.
Eight signs with information about the event, to be held on June 15, were placed at the four entrances to the village – Plumtree Road, Colston Gate, Owthorpe Road and Main Road, on May 18. Two days later the signs were gone.
Event committee member Russ Hamer, 58, said he was shocked and offended that the signs had been removed and wanted to know who had taken them.
The father-of-four who lives in Cotgrave said: "The first Cotgrave Festival was organised last year to coincide with the Olympics. It was a success so we decided to make it an annual event.
"There are all sorts of things to see and do at the carnival, from a dog show, 10k run, fun fair and archery to a tug o' war, kick boxing, zumba, Viking reenactments, live bands and karate.
"It is a really good community event, so we have absolutely no idea why anyone would want to sabotage it in this way by taking down the signs."
Mr Hamer said the committee would continue to advertise the event but couldn't afford to make new signs, and wanted the stolen ones returned as soon as possible.
He added: "If anyone knows why these signs were removed or by whom, we would love to know. It is a mystery and an alarming one at that."
The committee have informed the police about the issue and both Rushcliffe Borough Council, the county council and the Highways Agency have confirmed that they did not remove the signs.
Mr Hamer added: "Lots of time and effort from many members of the community has gone into trying to make the festival a great event.
"Its a complete mystery why someone should take the time and effort to sneak around removing these signs and it would seem someone is out to try to scupper the event.
"The organisers are all bemused."
The festival will go ahead on June 15 on fields behind Cotgrave Welfare Club on Woodview in the village.
Last year several hundred people attended and this year organisers expect around a 1,000 visitors.
