George Piggin, Chesham Pleasure Fair

Chesham Fair in the Broadway,
around 1925
Photograph courtesy of Ray East and Peter Hawkes

A Fair appeared in the Broadway three times a year for hundreds of years, in April, July and September. For very many years it was a Cattle and Hiring Fair, and then for about a century a Pleasure Fair. It had to close down for the duration of the War. All traffic in those days passed through The Broadway, and a single lane was left for it - up one side and down the other.

The Fair people were allowed in at midnight prior to opening day - not a minute before - and then worked most of the night to get things erected. The Big Roundabout was at the Blucher Street end, with the owner's caravan (Mrs Pettigrove - the only caravan allowed on the whole site) nearby, so that she could count the customers and make sure the attendant handed over the right money every ride. The Small Roundabout was opposite Station Road, and the Dodgems opposite the Cock Public House. The rest of the area held Coconut Shies, Skittles, Swings, Roll-a-Penny, Rock stalls, Water Squirts and many others. Things opened from 11.00am to 11.00pm and they then spent the night clearing away and had to be off by 6.00am. The Fair created lots of interest, with crowds there the whole time that it was open.

Nag's Head Meadow

This was an area of land off Red Lion Street, next to the Nag's Head Public House (roughly where the Job Centre is now situated). It covered several acres and was much used throughout the year for entertainment. There was a roller skating rink there too.

A travelling fair came every winter and stayed for a week or two, also the Wall of Death and the Globe of Death. The first was some thirty feet high surrounded by a wooden wall on which motorcyclists rode round and round at a high speed. Spectators climbed up to a platform at the top of the wall, from where a thrilling and exciting view could be had. The Globe of Death, a huge metal globe, was entered by a motorcyclist through a door and he then rode at enormous speeds round and round and then right over the top.

There were several touring Circuses on the Meadow each year, staying for two or three days. It was a site which drew much support; the cost was sixpence to a shilling.

George Piggin 1919-1991

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