DaveN 1,118 Posted October 1, 2014 Report Share Posted October 1, 2014 Here's a link about the history of Goose Fair. The site has links to other sites related to the fair. http://www.nottsheritagegateway.org.uk/places/goosefair.htm Quote Link to post Share on other sites
firbeck 859 Posted October 1, 2014 Report Share Posted October 1, 2014 They were the days Pete when you and me used to walk round the fair just to see how much ancient stuff was providing power or accommodation. Now with rip-off prices and stiff environmental laws, there is nothing decent to see. I recall in our days in the 60's there were steam driven gallopers consisting of a small red painted steam engine driving a generator which was situated within the centre of the roundabout, the chimney exited out the centre of the canvas roof, every time your horse went past the boiler you got a blast of heat and burning coal, elf and safety wouldn't stand for that nowadays I suppose. Another set of gallopers was driven by a chuffing great gleaming showmans traction engine usually sitting near the corner whelk store and linked by huge cables, it was operated by a sooty, grimy youth surrounded by bags of coal. The steam boats with the union flag roofs were also driven by a centre boilered steam engine which gave a ground shaking CHUFF at every down swing. The diesel power was provided by a variety of ancient trucks, many of WW2 vintage including Diamond T's, Scammels, Erf's, AEC's, Leyland's etc, etc, where are they now. Some of the caravans were cool too including converted, ancient NCT single decker buses, I could kick myself for not taking pictures of some of this stuff. I do have a video I filmed back in 1990 when some of the traditional rides and sideshows were still about, I recall filming while coming all the way down the old helterskelter , I'll have to try and find it. 4 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
FLY2 10,108 Posted October 1, 2014 Report Share Posted October 1, 2014 Pat Collins of Bloxwich had at least one traction engine. Re the wagons, don't forget Albion, Fodens and Maudsleys. Great things. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Trevor S 2,003 Posted October 1, 2014 Report Share Posted October 1, 2014 The sight and sound of those power plants at the Fair back in the early 50s, together with the smell of the hot engines, is a lasting memory of Goose Fair at night for me! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Bilbraborn 1,594 Posted October 2, 2014 Report Share Posted October 2, 2014 Pete!! You'd better find that video! I would love to see it. What a pair of anoraks we were and proud. When I was on milk rounds in the 1970s we used to have chaps photographing the really old floats while still on charge. I wish I'd photographed a few. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Trevor S 2,003 Posted October 2, 2014 Report Share Posted October 2, 2014 Found this video on the Evening Post site a short time ago......Great shots of the Fair from above at night:- http://www.nottinghampost.com/Goose-Fair-drone/story-23033556-detail/story.html Quote Link to post Share on other sites
catfan 14,793 Posted October 3, 2014 Report Share Posted October 3, 2014 Watch that carnie, sounds like a bad influence. 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Mess 618 Posted October 3, 2014 Report Share Posted October 3, 2014 Found this video on the Evening Post site a short time ago......Great shots of the Fair from above at night:- http://www.nottinghampost.com/Goose-Fair-drone/story-23033556-detail/story.html Amazing footage. I've seen a few of these DJI Phantom videos now. The one of Wollaton Hall and Gunthorpe Bridge that are also on here somewhere are stunning too but this is the best of the lot. I watched a fascinating short clip on YouTube that showed how these drones work then checked how much they cost and was quite surprised to find that they come in under £1000. Not cheap but when you consider what they can do I don't think it's too bad. Technology has come such a long way. I remember back in 1978 borrowing a black and white video camera that weighed a ton. I'd just bought a very expensive VHS machine and there was a socket on the front that the camera plugged into. It provided power to the camera and you would then record direct to the tape in the machine. You could use your TV as a monitor. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
radfordred 6,284 Posted October 3, 2014 Report Share Posted October 3, 2014 Ooooooooooooooo all excited going again!!! 3 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
carni 10,094 Posted October 3, 2014 Report Share Posted October 3, 2014 Good for you radfordred. I'm jealous. We can't come over this year. Have a great time. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
mercurydancer 1,104 Posted October 3, 2014 Report Share Posted October 3, 2014 I hate toffee apples! Always have done. Do they still have the seafood stall on the top row? I adored the whelks and of course the mushy peas. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Ayupmeducks 1,730 Posted October 3, 2014 Report Share Posted October 3, 2014 Used to look forward to it as a kid, then when of drinking age, just an excuse to have a few too many, not that we needed an excuse...LOL The ex used to take the kids, I was either on nights or had done a 12 hour shift and was too tired to go there.. Then left Nottingham in 75 to live in North Yorks.. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
radfordred 6,284 Posted October 4, 2014 Report Share Posted October 4, 2014 The shot @ about 2:09 is quite stunning. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
benjamin1945 16,160 Posted October 4, 2014 Report Share Posted October 4, 2014 What time does it shut....? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
radfordred 6,284 Posted October 4, 2014 Report Share Posted October 4, 2014 Ave Anuvver! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
MelissaJKelly 2,121 Posted October 4, 2014 Report Share Posted October 4, 2014 #261 - didn't see any seafood stalls when I had a walk around! #264 - 11pm Benjamin Quote Link to post Share on other sites
katyjay 5,091 Posted October 4, 2014 Report Share Posted October 4, 2014 Something I've never thought of before with the fair, there is most likely a committee who had a list of who was coming, how much space they need, and where to put them. I'm sure folks turn up to enjoy it without ever thinking how much thought went into the planning. Having served on many committees here, I know what a headache planning an event can be. Must admit, I never helped to plan anything on Goose Fair scale! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
LizzieM 9,507 Posted October 4, 2014 Report Share Posted October 4, 2014 Not a problem for James Mellors, Katyjay. He has his fingers in the Beach on the Square too! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Dennis 33 Posted October 5, 2014 Report Share Posted October 5, 2014 Can anyone out there help a old Nottitoneian Please, I would like to know, what date did Nottingham goose fair fall on , on the saturday 1945,? this would be most appreciated, thanks alot Dennis. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
... 1,411 Posted October 5, 2014 Report Share Posted October 5, 2014 Dennis we are not all old buggers like you.I think it was between Monday and Sunday. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Dennis 33 Posted October 5, 2014 Report Share Posted October 5, 2014 A.UP, ANDY. i did,n,t know you cared , HE HE Quote Link to post Share on other sites
DaveN 1,118 Posted October 5, 2014 Report Share Posted October 5, 2014 I don't know if there was a Goose Fair that year as I wasn't even born but the first Saturday in October 1945 was the 6th. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Dennis 33 Posted October 5, 2014 Report Share Posted October 5, 2014 ANDY. It,s for June, her mam & dad got wed on goose fair Sat 1945, and she wanted the date. Dennis. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Dennis 33 Posted October 5, 2014 Report Share Posted October 5, 2014 DaveN., thanks a lot, that will please the better half, Dennis Quote Link to post Share on other sites
DaveN 1,118 Posted October 5, 2014 Report Share Posted October 5, 2014 Any more dates/days you want to know just ask. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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