Compo 10,328 Posted June 1, 2012 Report Share Posted June 1, 2012 Arnold, Basford, Ilkeston and many other towns had wakes just after Goose Fair. I'll always remember the adventure of going to the wakes when very small and equally when a teenager - albeit with a different agenda. I reckon my favourite ride was the 'whip' followed by the 'caterpillar.' I loved the smell of the fair; the plates of mushy peas, cockles and hot dogs; the candy floss and the "Cock on a Stick" that seems to exist nowhere else except Nottingham. Walking around in the dense crowds, having a go at the airgun scams and the coconut shy; listening to the banter of the fairground touts drumming up trade for the boxing booths or ghost train. Ahh, sigh, memories.......Call me a sentimental old fool, see if I care - I am. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
.... 23 Posted June 1, 2012 Report Share Posted June 1, 2012 Very descriptively written Compo. There is a thread on here somewhere about the old Arnold Wakes on the Croft, complete with a couple of pics. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
homegirl101 1 Posted June 1, 2012 Report Share Posted June 1, 2012 Always the smell of burgers and onions,never the same when you make them yourself.No rubbish or additives to add to the taste. Made myself ill a few times having too much candy floss,cannot touch the stuff now,sigh. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Paulus 541 Posted June 1, 2012 Report Share Posted June 1, 2012 Well done Compo, almost another 'Tome', I much admire you're Wordsmithery.............................. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
jackson 301 Posted June 1, 2012 Report Share Posted June 1, 2012 The thing I recall about the Wakes was that the rides were always cheaper than those of Goose Fair. We kids, back then, knew that our pocket money would last much longer at the Wakes. Not so these days, one's expected to pay the full price at small Wakes that occasionally set up near to home. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Paulus 541 Posted June 1, 2012 Report Share Posted June 1, 2012 I too recall wakes were always cheaper, perhaps the local councils capped the prices?? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
piggy and babs 544 Posted June 2, 2012 Report Share Posted June 2, 2012 arr the catapiller now that evokes some memories and i say no more so dont ask Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Compo 10,328 Posted June 2, 2012 Author Report Share Posted June 2, 2012 I was about 7yrs old when I heard a man on a stall at Arnold wakes selling "Foogers". Clearly, I misheard what he was saying but off I trotted to my grandmother's house just down High Street and began doing what all kids do at some time or other...."Mam, Grandma, I want a Fooger"; "You want a what?" "A Fooger, they're selling them at the wakes mam, can I have one eh? Please mam." So off we went, Mam, Grandma and self and asked at every stall for a Fooger. Not one stall holder had any idea what a Fooger was. To my mother's dying day she would ask "Have you found your Fooger yet." Quote Link to post Share on other sites
jackson 301 Posted June 2, 2012 Report Share Posted June 2, 2012 Such a delightful, little story Compo - you're getting real good at this creative writing lark, keep at it. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
mgread1200 141 Posted June 2, 2012 Report Share Posted June 2, 2012 There was one wakes or Mini fair just on the lenton lane side of Clifton bridge mid to late sixties, dont remember one ever being there before that or after, don't remember any bother either even though it was well attended by both mods and rockers. Anyone else remember it?. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Compo 10,328 Posted June 2, 2012 Author Report Share Posted June 2, 2012 Such a delightful, little story Compo - you're getting real good at this creative writing lark, keep at it. sorry but it only happens when I've had too much to drink ~°Hic Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Paulus 541 Posted June 2, 2012 Report Share Posted June 2, 2012 Can't fault your honesty, inspiration in a bottle..........................but how come the muse is always at the bottom of the glass? lol Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Compo 10,328 Posted June 2, 2012 Author Report Share Posted June 2, 2012 If I knew the answer to that I would not bother with the booze <g> Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Paulus 541 Posted June 2, 2012 Report Share Posted June 2, 2012 Not bother......................a stikely lory!.................... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Compo 10,328 Posted June 2, 2012 Author Report Share Posted June 2, 2012 Weeeeell <g> Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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