Please note that on Ciao, I'll be spending sundays as my reading and rating day - the site is so s...
Please note that on Ciao, I'll be spending sundays as my reading and rating day - the site is so slow generally that the only way to avid meltdown is to do it all at once!
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Well, as it's coming up soon, I thought I'd write a review about Nottinghams annual Goose Fair . The fair itself dates back at least 700 years, and although there is no record of when the fair was first held, in 1284 King Edwards Charter makes reference to the fair being held in the centre of Nottingham.
The fair has been held every year since, except for 1646 when it was cancelled due to the spread of bubonic plague in the area . It was also cancelled during the two world wars, which makes a lot of sense as all those lights might have been a handy target for German bombers. Whilst it used to be held in the citys Market Square, in 1928 that area was redeveloped and the fair then moved to the Forest Recreation Ground, just outside the city centre, where it is still held today .
Originally, it was a market fair, where people would come to sell their Geese - however, today it's your standard travelling fun-fair !
Every year, around this time, the roundabout just outside the recreation ground becomes home to a large white goose, reminding us that the fair is coming . In the last week of september, we start to see all the caravans and rides appearingm, and going up . Excitement starts to build, and you can hear people asking each other if they are going to 'goosey' this year .
There are all kinds of rides - carousels, helter skelters, big wheels, waltzers, dodgems - all the traditional ones . There are always loads of attractions for adults and kids, loads of fast, scary, upside down rides that, I'll be honest, I'm far too much aof a wimp to go on , but loads of more sedate rides, such as the waltzers, which I adore .
There are also plenty of hook a duck, coconut shy, and ring the bottle type stalls, offering cheap cuddly toys as prizes!
For the foodies, there is a beer tent, hot dog and burger stalls, candy floss, and the famous goose fair cock-on-a-stick . Now, I don't know of any other fair that sells this - basically, a cock (of chicken kind) made of various kinds of sickly sweet material, on a stick . Utterly sickening, and will rot your teeth, but asking for a cok with a lecherous wink is a bit of a tradition now .
The fair is noisy, bright, and exciting - but it can also be a bit dangerous . If you do visit, keep a tight hold on your kids as it is always packed and so easy to get lost, and with busy main roads and a tramline right next to the site, you don't want to take that risk .
Also, be very wary of pickpockets - lots of people every year lose money and valuables at the fair to pickpockets and muggers , so I really would advise perhaps wearing a money belt to keep your valuables safe . I would also advise not taking much money with you - except for the fact that it is hideously expensive .
Expect to pay £3-£6 for rides, around £3 for a pint, and about £3 again for a burger that will probably give you food poisoning . Especially if you have children, the costs soon mount up !
The opening times for Goose Fair this year are : Wednesday 30 September 5.30 pm - 11.00 pm Thursday 1 October 12 noon - 11.00 pm Friday 2 October 11.00 am - 11.30 pm Saturday 3 October 11.00 am - 11.00 pm
I would advice leaving earlier rather than later, as buses away from the goosefair site are always extremely packed, and you may have to wait longer to get a bus home, which can be stressful if accompanied by tired children.
Sunday the 4th of October will be the day when all the neighbourhood scallys go the the fair site to pick up the coins, mobile phones, and other items that fall out of the pockets of people on the rides!
Overall, Goose Fair is something you should go to at least once - its a real sight and sound experience . But be careful of your valuables and keep a tight hold on your kids, and for the best safety, go during the day rather than at night when its incredibly crowded .
3 stars - an excellent fair, but pricey and a little dicey at night!
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Advantages: All the fun of the best fair in the world. Disadvantages: Only here for three (and a bit) days each year. Overpriced tat. Crowded and muddy. VERY LOUD POP MUSIC!
Advantages: Fun excitement, thrills, fun and laughter and of course candyfloss Disadvantages: Spend lots of money, its noisy and too many rides can make you sick
melodysparks 03.10.2004 (03.10.2004)
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful
Review of Goose Fair, Nottingham
Advantages: Fun excitement, thrills, fun and laughter and of course candyfloss Disadvantages: Spend lots of money, its noisy and too many rides can make you sick
melodysparks 03.10.2004 (03.10.2004)
·
Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful
Review of Goose Fair, Nottingham
Advantages: All the fun of the best fair in the world. Disadvantages: Only here for three (and a bit) days each year. Overpriced tat. Crowded and muddy. VERY LOUD POP MUSIC!
Sep 25th, 2009
very helpful by (100%):
