Nottingham Goose Fair

From the collection of

Media Archive for Central England
MACE is the strategic lead organisation for screen heritage for the East and West Midlands regions. An independent charity based at University of Lincoln, MACE preserves and makes accessible a collection of more than 100,000 historic moving images representative of the diverse cultures and histories of communities throughout the heart of England from the Lincolnshire coast to the Welsh border.

Nottingham Goose Fair

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Not a waterfowl in sight at the Nottingham Goose Fair, but look out for something far more unusual swimming in one of the side-shows.

By 1986, when Anna Soubry and Andy Craig reported from Nottingham's traditional Goose Fair, the big fairground rides were dominating. Long gone were the farmers and traders who brought livestock to the city to sell. Also in decline was the traditional side-show - although, in an attempt to buck the trend, this year a new 'swimming with sharks' attraction was proving to be a big draw.Some things, though, were unchanging: the Wheatley family typified the generations of show families who made the fair possible. Grandfather Jimmy Wheatley could boast of 400 years of family history in the business. And, as Anna found out, luckily the mushy peas still tasted the same.

Anna Soubry and Andy Craig report from the annual Nottingham Goose Fair.


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From the collection

Custom Made: Festivals and Traditions in the Midlands

A tour of the Midlands through its annual customs.
Back in the 6th Century, the Midlands of England were known as The Kingdom of Mercia – ‘Mercia’ being an Old English (or Anglo-Saxon) word for ‘Border Folk’. The long, long history of this region has brought with it a wealth of annual customs and traditions that are enthusiastically anticipated and celebrated by its people. Their origins may be subject to academic debate and general speculation, but they survive year on year – strengthening a community's sense of identity, helping people define who they are. In these films you will see Midlanders in an eclectic variety of settings - gathering together to worship, feast, and dance; play games, race ponies, and stroll through markets. So, whether it’s a Hindu Festival or Sikh celebration, a flower parade or Goose Fair, come, be a tourist and explore the sheer diversity of the border folk of the Midlands.

10 videos in this collection

1

Caribbean Carnival in Leicester

2

Nottingham Goose Fair

3

Leet Medieval Court

4

Damask Rose Ceremony

5

Ashbourne Shrovetide Football

6

Pony and Trap Racing

7

Navaratri Festival in Leicester

8

Lincoln Christmas Market

9

Traditional Village Games

10

Hare Krishna Parade in Handsworth

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