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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