The fair ground coming to town was quite exciting as a kid, as grown up I just think they look sad and soulless. Especially when empty

I wonder if that's because you've grown up, or whether it's because the fairs aren't what they used to be?

The Hayes one at Easter is tucked away down the end of Springfield Road nowadays; when I was a kid it used to have a prime spot on the Uxbridge Road.

My earliest recollections was of it being on the corner of Church Road; then later, exactly where the Hayes bypass roundabout now stands.

However, I know from pix we once had in our galleries that further back, it was near Central Ave, where the flats were later built.

From Central ave first on the East side then on the West side along the Uxbridge Road Billy Smart had his fair every year, even through the war, there was a boxing booth where the young lads could take on the resident boxer and if still standing after 3 rounds would get 5 bob, (25p) seem to remember it also took place on Botwell Green on a few occasions.

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Its not always the biggest and the bestest, its them that make the least mistakes.

I think I will make a visit tonight or tomorrow and report back on my findings

Yes, it would have been the late 50s or early 60s
I remember getting into a punch-up.

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When a crash seems inevitable, try to hit the softest, cheapest object in the vicinity as slowly and gently as possible.

Only if it's warm BG.... can't imagine enjoying a fair in the cold. Brrrrrrrrrr.

Us Welsh are made of hardy stuff it would have to get very cold to stop me

We do still get the fair, in the Townhall park once a year, on Hayes Carnival, mind you the Council seem hell bent on stopping that as the big fest takes priority, and the Hayes carnival is well old 65 years to my certain knowledge, dont know how long before that, would not be surprised if it went back over 100 years, and the stocks at the church were used for any rowdies.

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Its not always the biggest and the bestest, its them that make the least mistakes.

I used to love watching the fireworks at the carnival. They got stopped a few years ago and I don't know why. I thought the people who ran the funfair paid for them ...........

For anyone who likes fairs I highly recommend the annual Pinner Fair. Its been running for approximately 700 years and is protected by Royal Charter. Its only a one day event, and is fairly unique in being a true street fair even to this day.

http://www.pinnerlocal.co.uk/Company.aspx?cid=5544

It operates on a Wednesday, usually in late May or June, so keep an eye out for it BG.