Ilkeston - Small Change
w/e 20 October 2024
All of this week's pictures were
taken with a Nikon D3300
Mid October in Ilkeston can only mean one thing -
the annual Charter Fair and this year marks the 772nd anniversary
of the granting of the Charter in 1252 allowing a fair to be
held on the first Thursday after the first Sunday after the 11th
of the month.There have been a lot of changes since that first
Fair nearly eight centuries ago but recently changes to the layout
in the town centre have only been small from year to year and
many have gone unnoticed.
We were certainly not expecting anything different this year
as we walked up South Street on Tuesday morning as the Fair was
being erected ready for the opening the following day. There
was no clue to any change as we approached the Market Place with
the Big Wheel already in situ (minus the seats) in its usual
spot at the side of the Town Hall and the Gallopers also being
in its spot straight ahead.
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But as we turned in front of the library we were surprised to
see another wheel beyond the War Memorial and also the enormous
Booster looming high above the church.
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The Booster or similar thrill ride has been erected in front
of the library for several years now but in a change this year
a Fun House is standing in that position as seen here a few days
later.
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In recent times it has been the norm to see The Sizzler in the
corner of the Market Place at the end of Market Street. It may
have gone by a different name in the past but it has been a similar
type of ride for several years though. Thinking back to the latter
half of the last century, there have been a number of different
roundabouts here. The Caterpillar, Rockets and The Whip are just
three that come to mind but it's just another example of the
small changes that take place over time.
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The Fair began operating on Wednesday evening despite the official
opening not taking place until Thursday at midday - another example
of a small change that has taken place in recent years. And,
once again, thinking back, the Fair used to stay until the following
Monday evening when it opened to raise money for charity. There
is likely to be another change next year as, although the Fair
currently closes on Saturday and has almost disappeared by Sunday,
there is a proposal for it to remain for an extra day next year.
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Among all these small changes though, some things never seem
to change. Old favourites, the Dodgems and The Gallopers are
back in their usual spots.
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As is the Waltzer, the Helter Skelter and of course, it wouldn't
be the Fair without the Old Tyme Brooklyn Cakewalk standing between
them.
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But this year those small changes are far more obvious with a
second Big Wheel backing on to the church wall and the Booster
dwarfing St Mary's Church. Only half of its height is visible
here.
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The Booster is also visible in this shot from the Lower Market
Place. It's probably here that those original fairs were held
as there used to be buildings on what is now the main Market
Place. It's here on the Lower Market Place that another change
has occurred that will be remembered by people of my generation.
The Ghost Train has now become a familiar attraction in this
spot but there used to be a Boxing Booth here where local youths
were invited to step inside and take on boxers who travelled
with the Fair.
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Before Bingo became a favourite pastime and moved indoors to
permanent venues, every other stall at the Fair seemed to be
providing the opportunity to play the game. Nowadays, all the
Bingo stalls have gone and it's Hook A Duck that features throughout
the Fair. That's another small change that's taken place but
at £5.00 a go you're going to need a lot more than small
change this year.
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