General Chat

Does anyone ever go to the fair any more? I was talking to a traveller I know and business is really bad these days - a lot of kids go and hang about but don't spend. I thought that was quite sad - used to love the fairs but not the scary rides lol. Not sure why I stopped going.

I must be boring David but I didnt like them whan i was a kid lol! Dave

We have a fair that visits a couple of times a year but I haven't been to it in years. There are too many annoying Chavs that hang around being louts! becx

I used to love the atmosphere Dave more than the rides. Can't u chav it with the rest of them Bec? ;)

I think its a case of not being able to afford it so much these days. I know that everything is relative but fairgrounds that charge £2.00 a go make it an expensive do. My daughter took her 4 year old and little one wanted to go on the helter skelter - it was £2.50 - bad enough you'd think, but when little one was a bit scared to go on her own the fair lad tried to charge her another £2.50 for mum to go down with her!! My daughter said a nominal 50p or something wouldn't have been quite so bad - after all its still only using 1 mat!!! Anyway she told him where to stick his helter skelter so instead of making 3 quid he made nothing out of her - I know they have to make a living but....? Lucy x (climbing down off high horse now!!)

My sons both went to the fair this week. Thursday was half-price, £1.50 for the dodgems instead of £3.00. nell

Always used to go to the fair in Gloucester, held in August for 2 weeks, culminating in a big fireworks display. Loved the atmosphere!

They always used to have cheap nights in the week. I have to say Karen I reckon our lot all used to go in big groups trying to look hard as kids lol

I used to love travelling fairs in my much younger reckless days, However as ive got older I can now see the dangers of travelling fairs (alough I do think nowdays they are checked on a regular basis) Also I can see the waste of money, a couple of quid for one ride, often not a long ride if the fair is busy. Travelling fairs have lost their trade to the big theme parks. People trust these as safe, and once the entrance fee is paid for, (even though its a lot of money) the fun last longer for the same amount of money spent.

David - What are you suggesting?? I couldn't 'chav' it if my life depended on it.... I don't own enough gold jewellery! lol

i used to love them,the atmosphere,and the music was great,but times have changed,and its no longer safe to walk across dark areas anymore. bryan.

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;)

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 :-)

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

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

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.

Wots the runaway mop Bob?

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

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 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