Ilkeston - A Special Fair
w/e 22 October 2017
All of this week's pictures were
taken with a Kodak DX6490
The Fair is back in town and this year marks the
765th anniversary of the granting of the Royal Charter to hold
a fair in the middle of the town. That alone marks it as a "Special
Fair".
It wasn't a very auspicious opening to the Fair though as the
weather dampened the proceedings and markedly fewer people turned
up to witness the occasion.
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After the official opening the visiting civic leaders joined
the Mayor of Erewash to enjoy the customary first ride on the
Dodgems. As they took their seats all wearing their badges of
office I assumed that when the power was switched on there would
be a "chain" reaction. Well someone laughed!
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I read a comment somewhere that the Fair was "the same as
usual" and whilst all the favourites like the Big Wheel,
Waltzer and the 1895 built Old Tyme Brooklyn Cakewalk were present
in their regular positions there were also some new rides and
stalls too. I remember coconut shies, bingo stalls, the Hall
of Mirrors, the Boxing Booth, the Caterpillar, Whip and Sky Rocket
rides but none of these are here any more. I also remember sideshows
with the likes of bearded ladies, giants and midgets, a flea
circus, donkey and pony rides but political correctness has confined
these too the a foregone age but to say the Fair is "the
same as usual" is not really true.
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The Fair was enjoyed by all ages from the very young to the elderly
but from the expressions on the faces of this picture, I think
some people found it more enjoyable than others.
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Ilkeston Charter Fair is "special" for many reasons
not least of which is its location right in the centre of the
town. Its tentacles spread out along the streets and into the
adjoining car parks. Bus routes are diverted, roads closed and
people are well advised to leave their cars at home. This is
South Street.
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Children's roundabouts and food stall stretch halfway down Bath
Street.
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On East Street the fairground attractions protrude well into
the road.
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Familiar buildings like the Scala cinema are surrounded by the
Fair with many thrill rides occupying the car park to the left
of the building.
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The Market Place of course is the centre of attraction - the
Town Hall can be seen here on the right and the Library in the
distance.
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For a number of years now the Galloping Horses have been relegated
from their prime position between the Dodgems and the Waltzer
on the Market Place where I remember them being in my school
days to the edge of the Fair and a site on the Albion Centre
car park. They are still a favourite though for many people as
is the Helter Skelter and if you're counting I make the one in
this picture, the fourth one at the Fair this year, all of which
can be found on this page too. So the age of Ilkeston's Charter
Fair and its location make it a "special" Fair this
year but it's also the atmosphere that makes it special every
year. Here's to the 766th.
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