Despite some quiet evenings midweek, favourable weather helped draw people in over the weekends to enjoy this annual Feast.
For many years now the Thursday evening at Kettering Feast has been the time when the atmosphere at the Northampton Road recreation ground is very good and upbeat. The reduced prices on all rides bring out the people in good numbers, and this year again saw families and groups of teenagers enjoying the sunshine and the fun.
Presented by John Thurston & Son Ltd from Friday 27 June to Saturday 5 July, the Feast enjoyed excellent weather from pull-on to finish, albeit perhaps a little too humid at first.
The advertising was again intensive, and although the number of large rides was slightly down this time, there were several fresh attractions for the younger children. The general opinion was that the weekends took a few bob, while the midweek evenings (apart from Thursday) were quiet – though this is a common occurrence now that spare money is tight.
Large attractions on offer
The featured attractions here were John Scarrott & Sons’ Formula 1 dodgems and Twister, Philip Scarrott & Sons’ Super Star and Xzilar8 Miami, John Henry Scarrott’s Orbiter and Waltz Entertainments’ Supreme waltzer. Also present was Swales Bailey’s Terminator Matterhorn, while James Danter Jnr returned to the area with his popular Freak Out.
There were three large fun houses comprising Dean Ayers’ Circus Circus, John Allen Jnr’s Big Top Circus and Richard Hart’s Heroes & Villains, joined by Leonard Derry’s Roller Ghoster and Brogan Owen’s House of Terror.
Juveniles, games and catering
As there were no duplications the choice for the children was very good, and included John Woodward Jnr’s Runaway Train and Big Ben giant inflatable slide, Leonard Derry’s Go Gator coaster, Richard Hart’s bungee trampolines and S&M Leisure’s toy track.
Also here were Brogan Owen’s mini jets, Charlie Appleton’s mini waltzer, Tyrone Smart’s Apple coaster, Superheroes drop tower and toy set and Louis Smart’s mini Paratrooper. In support were Charles Appleton’s Play House and Ocean inflatable and John Henry Scarrott’s cups & saucers, mini Chair-o-Planes and Monster Trucks.
A variety of games were provided by Joe and Charles Summers; Richard Hart; Stephen Owen; Brogan Owen; Raymond Pearson; S&M Leisure; Tommy Charles; Louise Woodward; and Matthew Lewis.
Food kiosks were supplied by John Parrish Snr; Dean Ayers; Rachel Pearson; Michelle Scarrott; John and Jo Anne Stokes; John Scarrott; and John Allen Jnr.
[Editor’s note: This article was submitted by our correspondent David Springthorpe before he sadly passed away suddenly last month. We are publishing them in tribute to David, his decades of reporting for World’s Fair and his dedication to fairs and Showmen and do so with the approval of David’s family, to whom we send our heartfelt condolences.]
