Opening of the 711th Goose Fair, Nottingham

The official opening today at noon, with the Sheriff of Nottingham, The Lord Mayor, and assorted dignitaries from the Showman's Guild etc .....

Goose Fair is one of Europe's largest travelling fairs, with more than 150 rides and 450 games and exhibitions to thrill and amuse.

A Charter granted in 1284 by Edward I authorised the burgesses of Nottingham to hold a fair on the eve of the feast of St Edmund and for twelve days following. Another fair mentioned was the St Mathew's Fair held on September 21st which supposedly dates back to Anglo Saxon times. However the main fair for the people of Nottingham in terms of trade and economy was the Lenton Fair held at Lenton Priory from 1164 onwards.

In the middle ages Lenton Priory fair overshadowed the Goose Fair in size and importance, Harrisons Calendar of Fairs for 1587 mentions the Lenton Fair but not the Goose Fair. However Nottingham competed with its local rival and the arrival of over 20,000 Geese from the Fens in Lincolnshire to be sold.

For last years pictures of the event, check out:

http://tashcamuk.fotopages.com/?entry=230725 http://tashcamuk.fotopages.com/?entry=233168 http://tashcamuk.fotopages.com/?entry=233182

More background to the event http://www.nottinghamgoosefair.co.uk

Fairground Association of Great Britain http://www.fagb.co.uk

Showman's Guild http://www.showmensguild.com

also, While the Goose Fair is on, there are a pile more 'fringe' events in the city.

Goose Fringe Festival http://www.nottinghamfringe.com

***** Although this is supposed to be a fair and a celebration, a minutes silence was observered in the middle of the opening ceremony, to remember the murder of Danielle Beccan. A 14 year old girl, shot dead in St Anns on the way home from last years Goose Fair. Bastards! Shooting of Danielle Beccan :: Nottinghamshire Police Press Conf http://tashcamuk.fotopages.com/?entry=233123 Nottingham Stands Together [on gun crime] http://tashcamuk.fotopages.com/?entry=243824 Danielle Beccan Funeral http://tashcamuk.fotopages.com/?entry=261329 ***** ____________________________________________ ALAN LODGE Photographer - Media: One Eye on the Road. Nottingham. UK Email: tash@gn.apc.org Web: http://tash.gn.apc.org WAP phone http://wappy.to/tash My Blog http://tash_lodge.blogspot.com BroadBand http://tash.dns2go.com Member of the National Union of Journalists [No: 014345] ____________________________________________ "It is not enough to curse the darkness. It is also necessary to light a lamp!!" ____________________________________________ OS Grid Ref: SK 575414 - Lat/Lon: 52:58:03N, 1:08:38W