All the fun of the fair!
Our speaker this month was David Podmore, who is an honorary member of the Fairground Association, talking about Travelling Fun Fairs of Great Britain. Eight hundred years ago the king of the day granted charters for fairs and weekly markets. Fairs called statutes were held in Burton on Trent and Ashby de la Zouch. The fairs were held around the church and it became the huge event of the year. These fairs were held quite legally and raised money for rents and taxes. Local people really looked forward to them as it was an opportunity to meet up with neighbours you rarely came across. Eventually, the fairs were pushed into the town centres from the church grounds and became a mixture of pleasure attractions like plays and jugglers and trade opportunities.
In the mid 1800's, with the onset of the Industrial Revolution and the development of the steam engine and canal system, it seemed that fairs would die out. Frederick Savage designed the first steam roundabout, a galloping horses' ride. Thurston in Norwich was the first place to have one of these rides and it proved to be really profitable. The fairground rides revolutionised the fairs, and attractions like the cake walk and scenic railways were popular.
In 1889 The Showmen's Guild was formed and it successfully defended their interests as there was a plan to restrict the use of caravans by Parliament. The Guild has a weekly newspaper, 'The World's Fair', which keeps everyone up-to-date with new equipment, details of events and reports of fairs. The guild operates in 10 sections, each with a committee. By the turn of the century town fairs were big business and faster, quicker rides like the dodgems and waltzers became popular. Pat Collins is a familiar name at these town fairs. Pat Collins Funfairs went under the control of the family until 1983 when Anthony D Harris took control. Locally, Rugeley held the Horsefair, which was a massive event, attracting hundreds of Irish people coming to watch the horses trotting up and down the streets. The showmen have a 2 year ruling, which means that after two years of working a pitch at a fair, it automatically becomes his right and it can be also passed on to the next generation. Fairground families are constantly on the move, erecting and pulling down as they go from one site to another throughout the year. Families stick together and follow their parents in the business.
Other local fairs include the Nottingham Goose Fair which is now run by the City of Nottingham and takes place in October. Due to David’s' interest in these town fairs he has been able to reinvent the Rugeley Charter fair to be held on June 7th this year. It has become a great community event attracting many local people; the theme for this year’s event is WW1 Centenary and the Year 2014.
After the Spring Council meeting one of our members reported back to us. This is an opportunity for us to find out what is happening around the county. Our new programme was distributed and we will look forward to some interesting speakers and activities. Arrangements were made for the May Market on May 17th and we all decided which stall to man and make a mental note to bake cakes for the refreshments and produce stall.
Our meeting in May is to discuss and vote on resolutions and we also have Jackie Roberts talking about a 'Chocolate World'. We meet in the Parish hall at 7.30pm and all are welcome. For further details please contact Penny Bailey through the link below.