General Chat

We have a family in Norwich who run a fair and there are several fairs on during the year. At Christmas and Easter there are fairs on in a local park, and on the weekend of the Lord Mayor's Procession which is usually held on or around the 10th July, there is a big one. My son was born on the day of the parade and when he was small he always thought it was for his birthday cos it was always on the Saturday near the 10th. There is also a fairground at the big Guy Fawkes event on the Saturday nearest Nov 5th, near the University. They are expensive and I don't bother to go since my son was old enough to go with his friends, although we sometimes meet up at the Guy Fawkes one. I don't think he is that bothered now but does take his girlfriend's little boy aged 4. I was always a wimp and don't like big rides although I did used to take my lad on the dodgems and waltzers when he was young.

We just to go to Hampton court fair tvwice a yr, easter and August abnk holiday. Never missed . I loved it, the smell, the atomsphere, everything, was a different world for me. But with four kids, I can't afford to take them, however much I'd like to. Even on the 'cheap' nights it would cost me a fortune. Also as others have said not sure how safe some of them apear to be

They are quite expensive now, £2 to go on the waltzers is a bit steep really.

Hi David, I don't go to the local fair now (every September) because they have stroboscopes on nearly every - or every - ride. As my epilepsy has been under control for donkeys years (she says, touching wood) I daren't risk going there, just in case. Bob takes the kids, though even they don't seem that keen these days. 14-y-o Shauna was sick on the last ride she went on; it's put her off considerably. x

Took my grandson to one last weekend. It was fenced off with Security Guards at entrance and everything was £2. He came back with 3 toys so wasn`t too bad I suppose. Rosalyn

Loved trying to hook those Ducks, and rolling those balls down as they disappeared in those holes with numbers, never seemed to get those big prizes!, lots of fun there! :))

I love going to the fair for the music and the smell of candy floss, but don't like the rides!

i used to luv fairs in local town of loughborough there is a fair every november prices r stupid though !!!!

Yes Mandy I fear I am - I miss hanging around the streets gurning lol.

Thanks Bob:) I've just re-read Far from the Madding Crowd but didn't make the connection.

Bob Thanks for that info ... my hubby works in a small South Glos town called Chipping Sodbury and they always have an annual Mop Fair. We were only talking about it today and this has filled in the gaps in the history! David You sure you're not hiding an Inner Chav??? LOL! I used to like the atmosphere of the fairgrounds when I was younger - candy floss, dodgems etc, but never did like the big rides. Steer well clear of them now due to the gangs! Mandy :)

I loved the fairs when I was young and I adored the Spanish City in Whitley Bay. Now I am a bit wary of them. I don't mind them in the day but would never take my son at night time. We went to the Metro Centre last week and I went on the rollercoaster with him. I was petrified!! Couldn't believe it as I was always mad about them. All I could see was danger. I was convinced we were going to come crashing down on everyone. It's an age thing (or paranoia!). Lx

From S on A's website: For centuries Stratford-upon-Avon was the place for a hiring fair, to which farmers, tradesmen and householders came to meet and engage their servants for the coming year. It was customary for those wishing to be hired to indicate their trade e.g. carters and waggoners wore a piece of whipcord twisted round their hats, thatchers a fragment of woven straw and shepherds held their sheep-crooks - see Thomas Hardy's evocation in 'Far from the Madding Crowd'. After the First World War, the Stratford-upon-Avon Mop - always held on the 12 October - became a funfair with side shows, rides and roundabouts. Pig roasts and ox roasts were customary outside public houses, as the landlords' contribution to the festivities. Charity stalls also had a part - in 1921 for example, Miss Annie Davis' Navy League stall made £4 4s 6d. The custom continues to this day, with the Stratford Mop being amongst the biggest, brightest and busiest in the Midlands, occupying the lengths of Bridge Street, High Street, Wood Street, Rother Street, Greenhill Street and Meer Street. A special tradition is that after The Worshipful the Mayor has read the customary Proclamation at Market Cross, the Master of the Mop escorts the civic party on an inspection of the fair - and on whatsoever ride The Worshipful the Mayor goes (attended, of course, by the Beadle, Macebearers and Town Clerk in full ceremonial dress), all children from the town may go free of charge for that one morning. Little wonder that the words of the Proclamation include: We do enjoin all whether ye be townspeople of the town or strangers from other parts and places, that your behaviour be seemly at all times and in all respects, that ye bear goodwill towards one another and ill will towards none, that ye spend this day of merry-making and frolic so that recollections on the morrow may be without regrets or repinings. And, we do further ordain that on this day ye shall have full liberty and licence so desiring to remain in the fair until the stroke of midnight , whereupon at that time, and no later, we do strictly enjoin you quietly and peaceably to return unto your dwellings, having proper regard to the comfort and happiness of friends and neighbours who may then be within their abodes. On the Friday week following the Mop comes traditionally the Runaway Mop, a smaller version of the original hiring fair at which those who were ill-suited to their new employment could seek another master. In this celebratory year of 1996 the Master of the Mop and his Lady, William and Emily Wilson, promise 'the best ever'. Come and join the fun! Hope this answers your question David

I used to always go to the 'Statty' (Statute) Fair in Dunstable. It used to be held along the High Street once upon a time and on the village green in Houghton Regis. Who can forget candy floss and 'spit' rock? The sound and smell of the generators and the waft of onions? Nowadays it's overpriced and tawdry by comparison. Shame really it was part of my childhood but it's too expensive now for it to be within the pockets of most families. Magsxx

Wots the runaway mop Bob?

Fairgrounds are good when they are in the streets. Councils like to shove them in a field somewhere out of sight (and sound). Go to Stratford Mop (and the runaway mop two weeks later) it's really good.

We're all a bit rough compared to you HRH;)

Hello Lynda Think it's the tacky and dodgy I used to like - my, I'm classy lol

David - funny you should mention that but I have some friends who are thinking about having a Chav themed party so if I could borrow a few of your medallions and sovereigns that'd be great :-)

Never really thought of fairs as being unsafe though I know you had to keep a hold on yr money but then most of the ones round here were in smaller places and you used to know most people at them. lol Bec - wasn't suggesting anything but I do have some spare bling if u ever fancy a go;)