Fairground Art

Hello again.

When I was at school, I studied Art.  For my coursework, I completed a huge project on fairground art.  Imagine my surprise when my daughter, completing her GCSE Art course this summer, was involved in an almost identical project - 38 years later!  I have continued to be fascinated by fairground art, and so as our street fair was in town I took the chance to take some photos, and thought I would share them here.

Examples of traditional designs...

This particular ride has visited our fair each November since the 1950s and has been lovingly preserved by the owners...

Fun for the kids...

Modern techniques can provide some stunning examples...

Not for the faint hearted...

Even the lights are an art form...

Art really can be found in some unexpected places!

Helenxx

All the fun of the November fair

Good morning everyone, hope you are all well and are having a great start to the weekend.

Here in my home town we have an annual street fair.  It dates all the way back to 1221 when the first official Charter was granted to the Lord of the Manor by King Henry III. 

Starting on the second Wednesday in November each year, the town centre is closed to traffic, the travelling showmen roll into town and set up an astonishing spectacle.  This goes on for four days and then, as quickly as it arrives, it disappears until the following year.

It is looked forward to by all the local folks, and is a key part of our shared community experience.  Even when I moved away for 16 years I would return home each November to experience the fair - no self-respecting person from these parts would miss it if they could help it! 

So, last night, my Darling Daughter, my bestest friend Sue and her Darling Daughter made our yearly visit to the fair.  And of course, I couldn't miss such a great opportunity for taking some photos!  So, sit back, grab a cuppa, and enjoy the ride as I share quite a few images of the sights and sounds we enjoyed last night!

First of all some white-knuckle, modern rides:

The Buzzin...

Stargate...

Skyrider...

Superstar...

Freak Out...

Superbowl...

A traditional ride but bigger - the Ferris Wheel...

 

Amongst all these very technical and very impressive rides, it is lovely to see that the traditional rides still make an appearance, and are enjoyed by thousands of people, young and old.

The Helter Skelter...

Golden Gallopers..

My personal favourite, the Waltzers. Sadly I didn't go on them last night (I usually do, never to old to rock and all that!!) as I was still feeling under the weather...

Scream if you want to go faster...

The Dodgems...

Chair-o-plane...

Such a lovely night out, lots of noise, colour, and best of all the company of lovely friends.

Have a great Saturday!

Helenxx

Bonfire Night

Hello everyone, well, it is November and my daughter and I have succumbed to the silly season of illness - both croaking and snuffling. 

Thankfully though we were both fine on Sunday evening when we went over to my bestest friend Sue's place to celebrate Bonfire Night.  She has a lovely big garden where we can light a big bonfire...

can you see the moon in the background just behind the apple tree?  Here is a blurred closeup of it...

 I love bonfires.  Staring into the flames and smelling the wood smoke, brings back so many memories.  Every Saturday afternoon in the Autumn and Winter my Dad would have a bonfire in our garden when I was little.  By the time it was dark, the fire would have burnt down to the embers, and he used to rake these so that the fire would go out - but for a few moments the embers would glow like stars - I thought this was magical as a small child. 

Sue had cooked up a storm, lots of yummy treats were provided...

and a fine array of fireworks assembled...

I love fireworks...

As more wood was added to the fire, the sparks went flying into the dark November sky...

More fireworks dazzled...

The moon re-appeared from behind the clouds...

And of course we had to have fun with sparklers...

 

Thank you Sue for another lovely Bonfire Night celebration.  Now hoping that me and DD are well enough to visit our local street fair with you tomorrow evening!

 

Helenxx