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TRAVERLERS REVIEW

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updated: 18-OCTOBER-2002 Time 4:00pm

The countdown to this year's 750th Ilkeston Charter Fair was made in a big way with the ruturn of great rides, a great atmosphere and good weather, also with the intoduction of an Extra day.

Wednesday and Thursday Night

It was 6:30pm and rides where already in full swing and the atmosphere was buzzing with over 200 people already experienceing the thrills. Walking up South street you are met with a steady flow of people, kids and the smell of Hotdogs, candyfloss and other food. Along the side where thrilling rides like The Egg Wheel and Jumping Frog to give the younger generation a taste of whats to come. Looking right and tucked into the Car Park is the Classic Dodgems, the cheapest and best family version, along side a stomach ready Twister.

Yet it wasn't long before the beast became known to ilkeston as down Queens street the dragon awaits to take kids and parents on a knuckle ride thrill. With behind once again a Stomach churning ride. Once again its up south street with more kids rides, stalls and food. I noticed from previous travels that this year saw less Food stall occupying the south street and mainly through out.

It was then you enter the Market square, and where most of the action came, towering above was the shuttle, taking passengers on a thrill into the skies, this was popular with thrill seekers. Food and game stall outlined the square with the Scream, Dodgems, Funhouse and Waltzers entertained the teens and older generation with fun, thrill and screams.

Down by co op I sensed a family atmosphere with The Big Wheel, Disney Rides, egg wheel and Crooked Cottage. Walking towards the Albio Centre and Bathstreet, there was a feeling you walked down food and kids alley, with kids rides (pirate ship, saucer, swings and other merrygo rounds) and  food stalls which continued down bath street, yet as co op there was the spooky scary ride, phantom chaser and atmosphere Ghost Train. Yet continuing the kids rides to the Albion Leisure center, where daddy long legs and The crazy Pyrimid introduces another Family mix with Jump and smile, helter skelter, the famouse Gallopers etc.

Yet is was on the way back to the market place and through the Food courner near scala that u enterd a busy, popular and buzzi8ng atmosphere of rides for all, with Sun Wheel taking familes into the darkness , biiger than the Big Wheel, cottage, train, and a white knucle ride with the Magic mouse, along with the not for the faint hearted midnight express, top spin, hearet breaker and Shake. Plus the popular Break Dance.

I would have to say that with less food stalls, more kids rides and the better layout and the return of much great rides it was certanly a family atmosphere, and fun and laughter for all. With many areas boosting rides for all ages, and plimico seemnd to finally reorganise to provide more space, rather than gramming it all in. 

The fair's official opening took place at 12noon on Thursday October 17th with the Mayor of Erewash, Cllr George Buckley, read the 1252 Charter and rang the bells to announce the 750th Charter Fair under way.

If you have any stories to tell about Ilkeston Fair - perhaps a romance spawned on the dodgems, a child lost in the crowd or, maybe, you worked on one of the rides - we would love to hear from you.  - EMAIL US -