howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
Setting up today ready for grand opening on Thursday.
Guest 698- Registered: 28 May 2010
- Posts: 8,664
Lovely. Sucking more of Dover population's hard-earned cash out of the town.
I'm an optimist. But I'm an optimist who takes my raincoat - Harold Wilson
Andy B
- Location: dover
- Registered: 10 Nov 2012
- Posts: 1,740
If it gives the people of Dover a bit of enjoyment in their lives then does it really matter?If you knew of the work involved with a travelling funfair and the running costs then you might see things differently.
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
Just a couple of points on the fair.
1) Wherever you go there is a decidedly dodgy hamburger outlet that overcharges for something smothered in onions to mask any unpleasant smell yet everywhere, Dover included, has reputable burger outlets with hygiene certificates close by.
2) The closing time each evening is described as late, the residents of the flats in Stembrook and Pencester Road would like to know how late as the music can keep them awake.
Andy B- Location: dover
- Registered: 10 Nov 2012
- Posts: 1,740
Fairground catering has improved loads over the years,gone are the days of a caravan with the side cut out with an overweight woman with a fag in her mouth serving up hot dogs.We can all have a laugh about it all but this is surprisingly how many people still view the fair,vicious dogs on chains,the tattooed thug taking money on the dodgems,lock up yer daughters,dont hang out yer washing cos the fairs in town,very stereotyped views that many people still have.The fairground industry has changed so much and i should know.The vast majority of fairground food kiosks are of very high quality and cost a fortune to have built as they are all custom made so the last thing that any showman would want to do is sell dodgy food.The kiosks are inspected regularly to ensure that standards are met and often can be inspected at random at some events and shows.I should think the long standing local residents should be used to the fair by now,difference is that we now have Mannings and in a couple of months comes Forrests who i think have been coming to Pencester for at least 50 years.Enjoy it whilst its here.
Guest 1385- Registered: 27 Oct 2014
- Posts: 322
100% behind you on this one Andy, People just do not understand the amount of money the fairground people spend on there rides and the services. I think it,s nice to still see the fair coming to the town. People would start moaning IF it did not come.
So as you stated ENJOY it whilst its here.
Reginald Barrington
- Location: Dover
- Registered: 17 Dec 2014
- Posts: 3,227
I remember being at the fair in the 80's and watching when the umbrella ride? collapsed, a piece of flying debris sliced open the top of my ear, thankfully the other peoples injuries where not too severe. But it turned me off of funfairs though!
Arte et Marte
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
I still can't work out why they want to stay open so late. They stress that it is a family thing and the heavy security makes sure that undesirables stay away. I would have thought 10 pm would be more than late enough for the clientele they attract.
Andy B- Location: dover
- Registered: 10 Nov 2012
- Posts: 1,740
The Paratrooper accident was back in the early 80s,i can remember it well as i was there at the time.I dont think that this fair would stay open any later than 10.30 max,the rule in pencester gardens always used to be music off by 10.00 for the rides and all shut by 10.30.I doubt that they would stay open any later than 10.00 on any night apart from the £1 a ride night.As for the 2nd post of taking all the money out of town,how about what they will spend whilst here?They have to rent the park from the council,i,m not sure how much it is for pencester but its not cheap,theres no reductions if it rains all week.Quite often theres a deposit which has to be paid for any ground damage which can be tricky when moving heavy trucks n machines.They all have to live,buy food,clothing etc etc,services they need such as security which i think is a local firm,security fencing which again is supplied locally,they need fuel,also a good friend of mine who lives and works from Dover is hired for the week to service there trucks and generators every year when they come to town and they pay him well for his skills.The money certainly doesnt just go one way!
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
Took these about an hour before the opening today, should do well with the sunny weather.
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
Amazes me how many rides they fit into a not very large area, my photos do not cover them all.
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
Half term must have started today judging by how many youngsters were entering the fair a while back.
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
People were going in as soon as the gates were opened this afternoon.
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
Andy B- Location: dover
- Registered: 10 Nov 2012
- Posts: 1,740
Tomorrow,(Thursday) will be real busy,most of Dover will be there,All rides are £1.
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
Except for the dodgems which are £2.
I think the fairground organisers have got things right overall, the music is loud enough to entice passers by is not not loud enough to annoy local residents as in years gone by. Security would be enough to deter the unruly element and the general atmosphere has been of families having fun.
