Defiant stallholders and visitors said the weather didn't stop the fun as Goose Fair got off to a damp and soggy start. Owing to the wet weather, some rides were out of action on Friday afternoon (September 30) as the event returned for the first time since 2019.
But stallholders and some of the first visitors remained in good spirits. Pam Akins, who runs a sweet and fudge stall, said: "I don’t think the weather will stop the fun. People will still want to enjoy themselves."
The rain teemed it down as the gates to the fair at the Forest Recreation Ground opened up at 4pm. The conditions weren't what the organisers would have wanted - but despite the heavy rainfall newcomers to the fair cherished every moment.
Read more: Goose Fair 2022 updates as Nottingham event gets underway
Goose Fair newbie Courtney Killingsworth was impressed. The 20-year-old, from Chesterfield, won a giant panda on a basketball game. Holding her giant prize, she said: "It’s so good. I’ll come here again. I want to go on the Waltzers and have a go on a few games. I’m having a very good time."
The fair has been extended this year and, in a historic first, will take place over 10 days. One tradition that never changes is mushy peas and mint sauce. Terry Burdett now runs the stall that his father Alf and friend William Pike started at the fair in 1946. Mr Burdett was glad to be back but disappointed by the rain.
He said: "It’s a bad start. You can’t beat the weather. When it’s 10 days why come when it’s siling down with rain? People would come when it was five days as they didn’t want to miss it."
With the price of peas rocketing from £5 to £18 a bag combined with the hefty ground rent, the price of a pot of peas has been increased from £1.50 in 2019 to £2.50 this year. The good news is that forecasters have given out better weather over the next few days.
Sunny spells are expected on Saturday (October 1) with highs of 16C by 1pm. It's expected to keep dry throughout the day. It's a similar picture for Sunday (October 2) with sunny intervals from mid-day. A mostly cloudy day is given out for Monday (October 3), too.
Exciting new white knuckle rides announced for 2022 include Void and and UK's newest loop fighter Red Devil but if you're after something a little less hair-raising there's always the merry-go-rounds and big wheels, giving panoramic views of the city.
Teachers from Djanogly City Academy braved the rain on Friday afternoon. Alex Lynch said: "I’ve come every year since I was a kid. I missed it when it wasn’t on. We come for the food and rides like the Ice Jet.
"We like the mushy peas. Normally we’d be on the rides right now but we’re seeking refuge. The good thing about it being extended is that we can go on the rides next week."
Stall holder Andrew Robinson was glad to be back after spending the last two years working as a lorry driver. He said he was worried that the £4.50 price for hook a duck may put people off. He added: "It’s scandalous but with the cost of rent and fuel all you can do is pass it on."
Speaking ahead of the crowds returning, William Percival, chairman of the Nottinghamshire Showmen's Guild, said: "It is good to be back. There's a big buzz going around. It seems to be as good a fair as it's ever been. There's a lot of new attractions so we are looking forward to a good ten days if possible.
"Everybody seems excited seeing people they haven't seen for three years as it's a meeting place for showmen as well. They come from all over the country and you don't usually see them until they come to Goose Fair.
"A lot of people are expecting the prices to be expensive but we are not stupid. We know there is a shortage of money and the prices will reflect that. We have put more discount vouchers out than ever and obviously we will try the prices down as much as we can but you've got to take into consideration we've had to pay more rent to the council and we have these fuel costs so some rides will have a bit of an increase but the average I don't think they will be any dearer than the last time the fair was on."
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