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16-01-2018, 05:44 PM
1

All the Fun of the Fair

It was a Balmy Summer Day with a Blue, Blue, Skies above, the colour of Lapis Lazuli and cumulus clouds like cotton wool balls floated overhead. We had our pretty Summer dresses on that fitted nicely round the waist. The days when men wore their shirts tucked in their trousers or knee length shorts. And hair.. {if you still had any} ...glossed over with Brylcreem.
I was quite excited as we were off to the Annual Fair.

The Fair was held in the Town Centre on the Cattle Market site, with many Stalls and Shows.
Dodgems, the Big Wheel, Coconut Shy’s The Fattest Man Alive was popular, and the Boxing Booths where some unsuspecting local lad was going to be given a ‘Right Thrashing’ for 5 nicker,… if he was still standing. Boxers like Tommy Farr, , Randy Turpin and Poncho Villa, all learned their trade in the Fairground Booths All the rides and stalls beautifully decorated, any with Gold Leaf The Dodgems, The Chair -O- Plane, The Big Dipper, The Rifle Range Lots of Stalls with gifts to win. And of course The Catering Van, The Candy Floss Machine. The Fire Eater and ‘The Fattest Man Alive’
The ever popular Chip Van and not forgetting the Ice Cream Van “ Hokey pokey” a penny a lump. And my favourite a ’99.’ a Home Made Cornet that tasted divine like crisp biscuit filled with fresh Ice Cream made with Eggs, Sugar, Milk and Cream and in the centre a small Cadbury Flake. I could easily eat 10 of them.. ‘Little Gannet’

There was always a Police presence with a WPC and ST John’s Ambulance Brigade Tent

Mother and I walked down our Street, Ramsay Street, Rochdale, Past the spick and span Terraced Houses and Local Shops with corner Pub.
One or two women were kneeling down reveling knee length draws where ‘all was safely gathered in’ and scrubbing their Front Door Steps after which cream Donkey Stone was applied { That was like Pumice stone}

One man called out as he went by “Hello Missus, Saying your prayers? Say one for me?
“Shut your Bloody Mouth” was the reply. I was not allowed to swear or say rude words; if I did I got a smack.
Those days we used our legs and walked. We only caught the Bus if it was raining.
Not forgetting to have clean underwear on just in case we get knocked down by a big Red Rochdale Double Decker Bus! Oh! The shame if they weren’t clean!

Everyone was friendly and spoke as we walked by for approximately Half a Mile.


Approaching the Town Centre, the Town Hall Square a very wide Square under which the River Roach flowed, and the Shopping Centre, with The Post Office, and Public Library, all Grand Buildings near the Cattle Market where the Annual Fair was held. To the left The Square was dominated by the Beautiful Gothic Town Hall of Historical Interest. It has been said and firmly believed, that during the Second World War, when Hitler was planning to conquer Great Britain, he saw a Photograph of the Rochdale Town Hall and decided he would dismantle it Stone by Stone and have transported back to Germany.


They Buses all stopped in the Square and I saw this man stopping the traffic and waving his arms and legs about like someone demented and swearing too. “Mummy” Why is that man doing that” I asked. Oh! It’s Alfie, the poor thing, he can’t help it! He’s got .St Vitus Dance” “Why did St Vitus do that dance” I wanted to know .
“I don’t know, you must ask ‘Sister Marie Louise’ she will know”.

“The poor thing will get knocked down one of these days” she remarked.
A Policeman appeared, taking him by the arm escorted him to the curb, and a woman passing by agreed to take him back home just a short distance away.

Those days Up North any way, people were more charitable and you were not put away in an Asylum unless necessary. All the neighbours looked out for Mentally deficient people and children. And many times he was taken back home, a short distance away by a kind person. His Mother a slight woman found it impossible to keep him in as he was 6ft and well built and often he was quite normal. He really had Terretts as it is now sometimes called.

To be continued
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16-01-2018, 09:07 PM
2

Re: All the Fun of the Fair

Azure wow - You are also a writer.
Love it, you could write a book and illustrate it
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16-01-2018, 09:12 PM
3

Re: All the Fun of the Fair

Originally Posted by Sweetie pie ->
Azure wow - You are also a writer.
Love it, you could write a book and illustrate it
Thank you Sweetie pie

These ere just memories, Essays.

What a good idea to illustrate them.

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16-01-2018, 09:55 PM
4

Re: All the Fun of the Fair

Looking forward to the next episode . Clever girl
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16-01-2018, 10:00 PM
5

Re: All the Fun of the Fair

Originally Posted by Azure ->
Thank you Sweetie pie

These ere just memories, Essays.

What a good idea to illustrate them.

Now I am excited
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16-01-2018, 11:15 PM
6

Re: All the Fun of the Fair

Chapter 2. Then Came a Stranger.

Oh! Look, I said “There’s Betty and her Mummy. They are going in the Fairground too.”

“That Child is far too friendly for her own good” mother commented, adding “Now what are you never allowed to do” “I am not allowed to swear and talk with my mouth full”
“Yes, but what is the most important thing I have told you never to do” “I mustn’t kick boys if they pull my hair, Oh! I know I mustn’t talk to strange men, and women” “You must never get in a Car without Mummy or Daddy or go in any body’s House unless I take you” “I don’t like strange men, I replied, They smell of cigarettes and they blow smoke in my eyes” “Now tell me what you do if anyone says “Come with me” .!Oh! I will say “I will go and get Daddy, and I scream my head off if they touch me “. Then she reminded me again. I must only never take sweets or food from anyone but her or Daddy, and Uncle Jack and Auntie Jean if I was visiting them. All that talking about food made me hungry.

On approaching the entrance, we heard the man on the Coconut Stall calling
“Roll up! Roll Up”! Six balls a shilling. “Come on now. Have a go Joe! Win a Grand Prize”

“Mummy, please can I have some Black Peas in the Tent” “Really! You have only just eaten” “I just love them” They were served in China Cups and you had to sit or stand in the Tent and hand the cup back “Well, do not leave my side and I’ll take you in ,it will be nice to see Jimmy and Sarah” { The owners of the Black Peas Tent] “ Mind you are not sick if you go on the Rides afterwards” Fat chance of that as in those days I ate like a Horse.

“Sit there” she ordered and went to the counter, and inquisitive as I was, I noticed all the familiar faces passing by. The crowds were beginning to descend on the Fair, whole Families, all out for a good time, and eager to spend their money, especially in the ‘Fruit Machines’ which seem to devour it. Suddenly the Sun appeared once again from behind a cloud, sparkly like a diamond, its rays bounced everywhere and hitting any glass object bounced back on all suffices in the path of light which were then covered in all the colours of the rainbow, as if it looking through a Prism.



The man about 40 years old with brown wavy hair and brown suit with plimsoles on his feet, which pockets, looked rather odd
He seemed to be looking for someone and often stopped behind a child, but as soon as any adults came into view, he slowly walked away.

Betty a pretty fair-haired child was looking longingly at the Candy Floss Stall, watching the spun sugar turn miraculously into pink Candy Floss. Her Mother was pre-occupied with another small child trying to dislodge her from a Juvenile Roundabout. “Wait right there”, she told Betty.
.

To be continued
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16-01-2018, 11:16 PM
7

Re: All the Fun of the Fair

Originally Posted by susan m ->
Looking forward to the next episode . Clever girl

Thank you so much susan

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19-01-2018, 12:22 AM
8

Re: All the Fun of the Fair

Hello Love” said the man “Would you like a sweet”? “ Oh yes I love sweets and Candy Floss”
said Betty. He handed her a sweet saying “ Come for a little walk with me and you can have lots more sweets and Candy Floss as well .I know your Mummy and she said it’s alright “
“Did she” said Betty smiling. Taking her hand he said “Let’s go across the Road to the Park and we can eat our sweets.” “Aren’t you a pretty girl,” the man said. Trustingly she let him take her hand and they proceeded out of the Fairground towards the very wide Road next to the Town Hall steps lead up the Park and the past ornate Shrubs onto a grassy patch It was now a very busy and bustling scene and no one took any notice of a man holding a happy looking small child’s hand, walking at a leisurely pace




Finally Mummy came over with the steaming cup of Black Peas. Everything else was forgotten.
I watched the bright sun disappear behind a purple tinted cloud and felt a sense of unease.
I was watching lots of familiar faces coming in and out of the entrance and exit gates,
when I thought I saw Betty walking towards the exit holding the man’s hand. That must be her Uncle I thought I wondered where they are going and where her Mummy was” Yes! It was Betty, as I recognized her dress. I felt puzzled, and was going to tell Mummy as soon as she sat down

Suddenly there was a commotion, and Betty’s Mother very distraught was calling “BETTY! BETTY! Where are you? “Oh! God where is she” Mother went over to her immediately.
“What’s the matter love” she a said now concerned.” It’s Betty I can’t find Betty” She was right here and I was getting her sister off the Roundabout, now she’s had gone!, I only took my eyes of her for a minute” “Look love, we’ll find her, She can’t be far away “ turning to me she said “Come on ,let’s find Betty”.. “ Mummy, I saw Betty go across the Road with her Uncle. Oh! My God she hasn’t got an Uncle”, said her Mummy. “When did you see them?”
“When I came and sat here”. “That was 5 minutes ago said Mother”. Quick!! Let’s get the Police!! The Police Van is just over there.


The man with the little girl walked up the steps and on to the grassy bank looking round and scanning the horizon said “Let’s sit down up there on the grass and you can have another sweet. They walked a little way and he sat down indicating to her to sit next to him, this Betty did she was rather tired. In the distance, there was a row of Cottages barely discernible surrounded by 5 ft. fences in front of which were doted trees and shrubs.
The man stroked her hair and kissed her cheek, “You are so pretty. Shall we play a game”.
Betty now thinking of her Mother became upset.” No! I want Mummy! I want to go back”
He kissed her cheek again and looking at her with his tobacco stained teeth and he smelled of beer, she wiped her face with her hand. “ Don’t do that he said crossly”
In the center Cottage Mrs Aspinall, ‘Connie’, went into her garden and a small Dog followed her.
A .Jack Russell Terrier’, She looked down at the dog and said “Now Cracker we will go for a walk in a minute when you’ve got your lead on” He wagged his tail and growled …Grrrrrrr….
Recently they had to watch that he did not get out of the garden if anyone left the back gate open, as the last man he chased appeared at the Back door with his trousers hanging off him, torn from waist to ankle. Her Husband Jim was there and had to apologies profusely lend him some trousers, and offered to replace the ripped ones. The man was ready to make a complaint but they calmed him down and Cracked slunk out of the room.

Waiting for Jim she looked over the fence, and noticed a man on the grass with a small girl.
Father and Daughter having a rest she thought. She saw the man kiss the girl, and thought that was rather an affectionate display for a Father

“Jim” She called come and look at this
As they watched the man was trying to force the girl to lay down and grabbing when he grabbed her shoulders she let out a cry ““ Ooh!! Mummy!! I want Mummy!!. “That’s never right,” said Jim “Come on Cracker”! Fetch!.
The Dog pricked up its ears and ran out of the gate with Jim and Connie they all chased up to the man and the distressed girl. Nearing them Jim said “Stay Cracker” who sat down, tail wagging.
.


“What the frigging hell a do you think you are doing to that lass frightening her like that”
said Jim
The man brazened it out and said, “She’s my niece, we are having a sit down”
Betty crying held her arms up to Connie saying “ I Want Mummy” Let me go back to Mummy” “ Do you know this man “asked Connie “ No he gave me sweeties”
Jim still had the dog lead in his hand and said to Cracker “ Fetch” and the Dog immediately nipped the man’s ankle and hung on to his trousers not letting go.
” You Bloody Tow Rag “ and after a struggle pushed him face down on the grass and tied his hands behind his back with the Dog lead
“ Let me go “he shouted I never touched her” You are going nowhere we are getting the Police, replied Jim.

“What’s your name love”? asked Connie “Betty ”. “Where is your Mummy?“ “She’s on the Fairground ” she sobbed “”Come On Love .Well take you back to Mummy

They were just about to set off when into view and a WPC and Policeman.

“Have you seen a little girl” they called out “She’s gone missing from the Fairground”
“Is it Betty? and she is looking for her Mummy”? Said Connie and pointing to the prostrate man said “We just arrived in the nick of time as he was trying to push her down”

The Policeman looked at the man saying “Oh! No! Not you again! You’re in big trouble now abducting a child and causing a Police search.
“He’s’ not long out of the nick. Never learn will you “and bending down he put hand cuffs on the protesting man. “Save it for the Judge” There’s a Car Waiting on the Road


They all walked slowly to the Fair, Betty obviously very tired, Connie then picked her up and carried her
“Will Mummy shout at me” “No love, she just wants you to see you again”
” We will take them all home and settle them said the WPC
Suddenly I saw the WPC and a woman carrying Betty approaching.
“Mummy Betty is here, she’s not lost” She flew to her Mother’s arms sobbing and after a tearful reunion, they were taken home in a Police Car.
Mother offered to go with them but was advised to leave it until they had recovered and given advice by the Police.

To be continued
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19-01-2018, 09:02 AM
9

Re: All the Fun of the Fair

Thankyou Azure , keep them coming
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20-01-2018, 04:31 PM
10

Re: All the Fun of the Fair

Sheila was asked to remind her daughter never to talk to strange men or women or to take sweets from them. But after that awful experience it may have taught her a lesson


Connie and Jim had to give Statements and we were all thanked for our help and support.
I was rather fed up, and Mother looked at me and said “Well my treasure we have done our Good Deed for today and been such a good girl.” That’s all very well thought I but I want to go on the rides.
Reading my thoughts Mother said “Were would you like to go”? “Oh Mummy, the Galloping Horses” “Yes lets go on a Big one together” I really enjoyed the ride on the beautiful gold lacquered horse ,round and round and up and down, with the organ music playing
After that, it was time to get the bus home, not before I had had an ice cream!

“ We will call round tomorrow and take some fruit and see if we can help” said Mother.

Later after reading about the episode in the Local Paper, we were the centre of attention
The Man was sentenced to 12 months in prison. “I know what I’d like to do to him” said
Uncle Jim

Once again I was reminded never to take sweets of strangers or go with strange men.
“ Mummy. I’ve told you, I don’t like strange men … I want to play with the boys from School”
“Can I go on the Common and play Rounder’s? I can run faster than them and I’ll shove them out of the way if they try and stop me”.
“Listen to me Madam. You are not behaving like a hooligan, and you are not playing with any boys unless there is an older girl at least 14 years old with you.”

In that case, I better not tell her that the Boys had dared me to climb a 6ft wall on to the Coal Sidings, I did not climb the wall, in any case I would be in big trouble if I got my clothes dirty.

Later we did go and see Sheila, Betty’s mum. Her husband was not there and apparently had left them, and Sheila was trying to manage by cleaning taking in peoples Ironing.
Her own mother helped sometimes but she had Arthritis and very little money
“That is not right said mum ,I will talk to the Sister Marie Teresa in the Convent and give her a parcel for the children. She won’t need to know it’s from us as she might think it‘s charity I’m sure they will help out as she is a Catholic, poor woman never gets a rest.”

Things did improve as a baby sitter was arranged so Sheila could have at least one afternoon off each week. Also the older children went to the Convent nursery as well, which meant that Sheila was able to take on a few more hours of work.

Later we heard that she was cleaning for Mr Thompson who owned the Clothing Factory
Mr Thompson was 55 and a widower. Apparently he was very kind and they both became friends.
Mum said perhaps Sheila could get divorced some day from her absent husband but this would take years.
We were all pleased that Sheila life had improves such a lot even if it was a harrowing experience that made it so.

I was constantly warned as a child about speaking to strangers unless Mum was with me .
In fact as a child I had a mistrust of strangers, and sweets did not interest me as we were discouraged from eating sticky sweets that rot your teeth, but small amount of chocolate was allowed and ice cream as well, and we ate fruit instead.
 

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