Southwold Trinity Fair in Suffolk originally took place on the three days following Trinity Sunday, but the Charter Fair (as it is now known traditionally) takes place over the Whitsun half-term. Although usually only opening from Thursday to Sunday, this year a gap in the schedule meant the amusements were open for two weekends on the South Green.
The Stocks family from Leiston have been presenting the fair here for over 150 years and as always the traditional opening ceremony happened on the first day’s trade, which this year was Friday 27 May at 5pm.
This took place on the front of Henry and Sally Stocks’ Miami, where a decent sized crowd turned out to watch the Mayor of Southwold proudly proclaim the fair open. The fair charter was read, and following the playing of the national anthem the Mayor’s party headed over to the dodgems for the customary free ride.
Tradition dictates the charter is read three times, and so whilst the procession headed back up the high street to the main square for the second reading the local children formed queues at the rides.
As a gesture of goodwill in times when money for some is tough to come by, and to help spread awareness, Henry and Sally provided the local primary school with a number of free ride tickets, which were quickly made use of. The notion paid off, as many came back and paid for further rides later on.
After a successful opening night, the fair opened daily at midday, and each day saw respectable business. Southwold fair has never been a late opener, with the vast majority of customers being day trippers.
Of course, this year’s fair also coincided with the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, and there was plenty of bunting and colourful signs to get into the spirit of things. Thursday 2 June saw the town come alive with lots of activities taking place as part of the celebrations.
In the evening large crowds came out to see the Jubilee beacon being lit, the firing of the cannons and a fireworks display at 9:35pm. Naturally the fair benefited from this, with all these activities taking place on the adjacent Gun Hill green.
The line-up here consisted of Henry and Sally Stocks’ Rock City Miami, Jungle Falls fun house, teacups and inflatable wipeout game, along with Enri Stocks’ dodgems, waltzer, and mini Paratrooper.
Also here were Ria Stocks’ mini jets and kiosk, Harrison Harris’ mirror maze and Austin Harris’ games joint. Jonas Barwick brought his bungee trampolines and Bumper Carz and Paul Hedges Jnr his large inflatable, while catering was from John Stokes and Mark Hedges.
Meanwhile, just down the road at Leiston the family also provided attractions for the town’s Jubilee Weekend celebrations on Victory Road park. Opening Friday 3 and Saturday 4 June only, amongst the other activities on the park were William Stocks’ Twist and Crazy fun house, Marcus Harris’ helter skelter, mirror maze and hooplas, and Sonny Harris’ rifle range.
Also here were Chloe Stocks’ bungee trampolines, Ashley Harris’ side joint and Henry & Enri Stocks’ train juvenile, with catering from Bernice & Roberta Stocks. The teacups, inflatable wipeout and kiosk from the Stocks family also made the short journey across to open here, after pulling down from Southwold early on the Thursday night.
Main photo: Harrison Harris’ mirror maze at the Charter Fair at Southwold
