It was pleasing to see the cordial relationship that continues to exist between St Ives Town Council and the showpeople at the Cambridgeshire town’s Michaelmas Fair when it returned this October.
During the opening ceremony, Vice Chairman (now Chairman) of the Eastern Counties Section of The Showmen’s Guild, Frankie Harris, remarked that it was good to be back and thanked the council for their assistance in staging the fair.
At the informal buffet at the town hall after the full civic tour of the fair, the Mayor Pasco Hussain spoke of his delight at seeing the fair back in the centre of St Ives and he commended the showpeople on their hard work in assembling the fair after what he realised had been a difficult time for them.
Also representing the Guild at the opening were Past Chairman of The Eastern Counties Section Victor Harris, John Scarrott whose family are the lessees of The Broadway section of the fair and Spencer Smart.
Open from October 11 to 13, the fair got off to a lively start. Variety was the theme here as there were more changes this year than at any other time during my 50 years of attending the Michaelmas Fair.
Newcomers to The Broadway included Philip Scarrott & Sons’ Super Star, which the bolder members of the civic party tried out. Also fresh in this part of the fair were Frankie Harris’s mini Paratrooper, Grant Tattam’s Monster Trucks and Shane Whyatt’s large toy track.
On The Sheep Market, Shane Whyatt’s Balloon Madness was something different and John Scarrott & Sons’ Twister was on a first visit to the Market Road car park where it stood alongside John AT Parrish’s superb Extreme Orbiter.
Major rides and attractions
Philip Scarrott & Sons’ Super Star and Xzilar8 Miami
Harry Scarrott’s Vortex (Freak Out style swing)
John Scarrott & Sons’ Twister
John AT Parrish’s Extreme Orbiter
Jonathan Smart’s Simulator,
Dean Ayers’ Circus Circus Fun House
James Gilbey’s Crooked Cottage
Spencer Smart’s Crazy Jungle Fun House
Thomas Harris’ Circus Fun House
Thomas Harris Jnr’s Psycho Haunted Mansion
Main photo: Oliver Cromwell overlooks part of the Market Hill section of St Ives Michaelmas Fair.