The Nottingham Goose Fair is an annual fun fair held in Nottingham, during the first week of October. It is largely provided by traveling fair people. The fair dates back more than 700 years and was once said to be Europe's biggest. The consensus among historians is that the fair probably started just after 1284, when the Charter of King Edward I referred to city fairs in Nottingham. The Goose Fair was cancelled due to the bubonic plague in 1646 and again during the two World Wars in the 20th century. Until 1928 it was held in Old Market Square in Nottingham city centre, but it was moved to the Forest Recreation ground because of redevelopment of the area. The Goose Fair started as a trade event and enjoyed a reputation for its high-quality cheese, although it is now known for its rides and games. Its name is derived from the thousands of geese that were driven from Lincolnshire to be sold in Nottingham.
It now runs from 5.30pm Wednesday 3rd October until 9pm Sunday 7th. During the 5 day fair visitors can enjoy over 500 rides, including thrilling white knuckle rides, family rides and favourites including waltzers, carousels and Hook-a-Duck plus fairground treats, market stalls and an unbeatable atmosphere.
Having spent many a fun filled day at the fair from watching the children on the baby rides, helping them on the toddler rides, joining them on the Ghost train and the Fun House and as they got older being battered, twisted, turned and generally shaken up on any number of heart stopping rides, their main weapon of torture being the Waltzers. This was usually followed by a good quantity of Candy Floss, Toffee Apples, mushy peas, chips or pork baps, not always in that order. The day ended usually with a trip home with at least a goldfish in tow, these days its uaually something that flashes and makes a lot of noise, or maybe I am just getting older.
Whatever your age the Goose Fair always brings back memories of good times and the sight of it and the smells and sounds are something you will never forget. Wherever you are it is well worth a visit.
HALLOWEEN
After all the excitment of the fair the next big treat is Halloween.
Trick-or-treating now seems to be a customary celebration for children on Halloween. Children go in costume from house to house, asking for treats such as candy or sometimes money, with the question, "Trick or treat?" The word "trick" refers to a (mostly idle) "threat" to perform mischief on the homeowners or their property if no treat is given. In this custom the child performs some sort of trick, i.e. sings a song or tells a ghost story, to earn their treats. There are many places now where you can go for a great Halloween evening and many pubs, clubs etc put on special evenings. Also a number of the big theme parks have special activities to boost their season and let everybody have a good time. One of these is Thorpe Park in Surrey, only 20 miles from Central London between Junc 11 and 13 on the M25.Prepare for another nail-biting Halloween experience as Fright Nights returns for 2012!
Are you brave enough to enter the blood-curdling world of horrifying sights and sounds in the Park's live action horror mazes?
Plus you can take on some of Europe's most extreme thrill-rides in the dark as the gates stay open as late as 9pm. Take a terrifying flight on Europe's tallest winged rollercoaster, THE SWARM, new for 2012. Brave the stomach-churning horror-coaster SAW — The Ride, or take on the 'Unholy Trinity': Stealth, Colossus and Nemesis Inferno, a triple dose of extreme thrills!
Book a short break to THORPE PARK and enjoy an epic adventure to remember. Pay less than a tenner more per person than the standard online Park ticket price and stay overnight in a nearby hotel when you book with THORPE Breaks. What could be better?
Whatever you plan to do this month have a great time. Find lots of other treats at Seasidevans.
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