Nottingham Goose Fair - England
Posted by Jill Bowen on Fri 14th September 2007 at 03:12 AM, Filed in Europe, October
3-7th October 2007 (Annual)
The Nottingham Goose Fair goes back some 700 years. It’s amazing how some of these ancient customs in England are still going strong, getting bigger as each year passes. It’s not actually a fair full of geese; its origins are a ‘Goods Fair’, first held to enable people to stock up of goods before the onset of winter. The charter goes back to the 1160’s when Henry11 granted it with the right to hold a fair for 8 days. Various Kings added to the Charter throughout the following centuries to increase the size and status of the Fair.
The name ‘Goose Fair’ dates from 1541, originally it was held on 21st September and whenever possible, geese were sold at the Fair (but not exclusively). The geese were walked from great distances to the Fair, 20,000 of them came from the Lincolnshire Fens – first having their feet tarred to make the walk easier! In 1752 there was a change of calendar when the Gregorian calendar was adopted, the Fair was then moved to October. By the end of the 18th century the Fair had changed, and it was not purely for solely buying and selling produce. New attractions were added, including Madame Tussuad, wild animals and theatrical events.
By 1880 the fair was reduced to a three-day event, and in 1928 it was moved from the Market Square to its present site at the forest recreation Ground, a mile or so to the north of the old Market Square. Enough of potted history, what does the Fair hold for today’s visitors?
Over 500 attractions await the some half a million visitors each year. Its one of Europe’s largest travelling fairs - and it’s free! Covering about 18 acres (including the showmen’s living vans) it’s a vast site.
Thrills galore await you with over 150 state of the art rides, from rollercoasters, water rapid ride, giant wheel and the Wall of Death. For younger members of the family there are gentle old fashioned merry-go-rounds, carousels and Hook-a-Duck. Dig deep into your pockets if you have kids, it’s a tempting array of colour, light and sounds.
Had enough of thrill rides? Then make your way to the over 200 trade and craft stalls, including jewellery, pictures, pottery and masses of other local crafts in the craft marquees. Go home laden with locally produced produce from the many market stalls…you may still find a goose!
Feeling hungry…. why not try the local speciality of ‘mushy peas and mint sauce’! If this doesn’t whet you’re appetite there are many other food outlets with a variety of food to try from around the world.
It’s impossible to properly convey what makes it so special, but that the fair has lasted for so long is an indication that it’s a must to visit. Maybe it’s the nip in the air from an early autumn night, the smell of all the food cooking, the sound of bells, and music, the sight of so many people having a great time…. shaking with fear if they’ve just been on a ride, or grinning form ear to ear if they have won a ‘prize’. It’s an event for all the family to enjoy, from toddlers to grandparents and everyone in between.
Enjoy!!
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