Portland fair is here for the weekend, open for three days this year and in the half term holidays too.The bonus being the weather has been good so it's dry too which also makes it safer for obvious reasons.
I do think personally the atmosphere has been a little lost from the change of site, admittedly when the fair was in chiswell it caused traffic issues, which on the whole the island accepted and dealt with it but back then it was a proper street fair.
Since the move that's a little magic that's been lost.
There are benefits for the move yet I think it's a huge change and an important one, atmosphere is a big reason for going. One big reason the islanders enjoyed it was because it was an opportunity to see everyone, I mean everyone knows everyone here, or they did much more a few years ago, nevertheless it was part of the charm.
A chance to natter with people we don't get to see in our busy or hectic lives, depending how you view it. :o)
The street was alive and lit up with the sounds of the fair while steam floated over the hot food stands, people with candyfloss and balloons, prizes in hands, smiles and red cheeks all round.
That to me was the fairground attraction.
Now a memory, nostalgia.
As you say, the nostalgia has gone and what a shame. Personally, I don't like the site of the new fair, think it is attracting danger with being in such close proximity to the road. I hate to see this particular area when they leave, as last year with the bad weather the ground was all chewed up with the heavy vehicles. This, I thought, was not a very good advert for the entrance to this lovely Island of ours. Oh, I know I'm not a true Portlander but have been here so long I feel like a part of the fixtures and fittings. True, the old site along Chiswell could be a bit of a pain but the two way traffic seemed to work reasonably well and it was only for two or three days at most anyway.
ReplyDeleteHot Dog stalls, Candy floss stalls, rides at reasonable prices and the smiles on the faces of the children as they queued up for rides was a sight to behold. Sadly, everything is too commercialised nowadays, all they want is your hard-earned cash in their pockets. C'est la vie, Rob, c'est la vie!
It was indeed messy last year, a bit of a washout and hopefully the weather holds out for all of the three days and it's looking good when they leave.
ReplyDeleteBut then...it's British weather! :o)
I was really excited about going to the fair tonight. Got there and only about 20 youngsters milling about. It's definitely lost the atmosphere it had a few years ago (maybe 20 years ago). Shame it's not a street fair anymore and shame it's not near the chipy - they used to do a roaring trade.
ReplyDeleteHad a nasty toffee apple too - wouldn't recommend!
Good thing it was dry because where it is now would be like a mud bath!
Good time then? :P
ReplyDeleteYeah 20 years ago it was a completely different kettle of fish, then again life was as we not s connected technology wise, people planned things differently, it made it better when we did see others at the fair we hadn't seen in a while.
Like this blog, facebook etc, people can connect easy and talk f things like with status updates etc... nothing like that back then so it was a genuine community thing to meet up at the fair.
Everyone went, not nowadays.
No Rat woman or boxing ring? No Goldfish or Plaster of Paris wall ornament in the shape of a deformed Parrott, No fluffy bit of fluff with large stuck on paper eyes, Nope...not the same, Prize every time? Not quite...read the small print! and, how about the Carnies? Not the most welcoming of stall holders and Ride attenders. And don't get me started on the insessant Thud Thud...The kids strolling accross the road in Vicky Square with their chests puffed out in the "I am walking so you have to stop for me mode" Nope, not the same...Different people, different attitude, different music, different location, different life, different Portland..."Different Portland"....I wish I could go back! But I have no Ruby slippers or time machine. If the future of Portland reveals revelations of new contraptions like a Time machine, well, it would be used only to go back to better times. Miserable git you say? Yes too true...But I was not miserable back then!!!!!
ReplyDeletejust a little note , i weed my pants when i was little and my grandad took me on the big wheel,, not a good story but very true and still makes my parents laugh when we talk about the old days !!!
ReplyDeleteThink you are right Andy.
ReplyDeleteI say the fair has completely lost it's magic, just went down there, twice been down and both times it was dead, empty, boring, in fact the guy on the new ride offered me and nipper a free go cos they needed to fill seats, we declined.
Nipper didn't fancy it, he said, how boring!
Lee,
Now I can picture that lol!