One of the most eagerly awaited festivals returned to Gloucester Docks recently in the form of the popular Tall Ships Festival. The event opened over the Jubilee weekend of June 3, 4 and 5, with a good number of ships of various sizes in attendance.
A surprise attraction at Tall Ships on the Docks Piazza was the return of the Giant Wheel Company (de-Koning family) with one of their Lamberink giant wheels. Unfortunately, this does not go down very well with some dockland apartment residents, but nevertheless the appearance of the wheel proved to be very popular.
Although there were plenty of market stalls, food outlets and three music stages, unfortunately there were no fairground attractions on offer for the many thousands of visitors attending over the three days. Whether this was down to other commitments or available space is unclear.
The famous Walls Ice Cream company has had a factory on Gloucester’s Barnwood major ring road site for many years, with a large sports and social complex approximately a mile from the factory. On Saturday 11 June the Walls Show took place on its large grassed area, which normally plays host to soccer matches during the season.
The show offered a good mix of entertainment, and Charles Deakin Jnr brought an excellent array of funfair attractions in support of it. As well as the show day, which was by admission ticket, Charles and tenants had secured the site for a free entry opening from June 16 to 19.
Attractions on offer at the show comprised Charles’ dodgems and Super Bowl, Stacey Squires’ Crazy Cage Round Up and Edward Evans’ Crazy Frog Jumper. Edward Holmes brought his waltzer, Guy and John Evans’ their Twist and Joby Farrell his Energiser Miami.
In support were James Squires’ ghost train and Edward Furborough’s American Circus fun house. No doubt a good selection of helter skelter, bungees and seven juvenile attractions kept the younger family members pleasantly occupied, and there were also a small number of games requiring luck and skill.
Main photo: Edward Furbough’s American Circus fun house at Walls Show
