Ilkeston - The 750th
Anniversary Of The Annual Charter Fair
w/e 20 October
2002
In 1252 King Henry III granted a charter
to Ilkeston allowing it to stage a market and fair on "the
first Thursday after the first Sunday after the 11th October".
Just before noon on the 750th anniversary the charter was read
outside the Town Hall before the bells were rung to signify the
official opening of this year's fair.
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This year the emphasis was on family entertainment with numerous
roundabouts for children alongside bigger rides for the more
adventurous. This picture was taken from the Town Hall balcony
shortly after the opening.
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For as long as I can remember, the Old
Tyme Broadway Cakewalk has stood opposite the Town Hall entrance
each October and this year was no exception.
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The Big Wheel too was in its traditional
place at the side of the Town Hall.
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Another old favourite, the Dodgem Cars
occupied a prime spot on the Market Place. The fair is one of
the largest street fairs in Europe and spreads like the tentacles
of an octopus from the Market Place into all the surrounding
streets and car parks.
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For many years the Gallopers, or Big 'Orses
as they are commonly known in this part of Derbyshire, stood
right in the centre of the fair until the white knuckle rides
rose to prominence. More recently they have been tucked away
on the Albion Leisure Centre car park off East Street which is
where they could be found this year. Tucked away or not, they
still drew the crowds and the carousel with traditional fairground
organ music delighted young and old alike.
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