Years ago there were numerous travelling fairs and Circuses that came at different times of the year to different traditional fairground sites all over Sheffield.

There used to be a real holiday feeling at the fairgrounds and the ciruses were magic to the youngsters.

Does any one have any recollections or stories?

Where were all the sites and what was the names of the fairs?

Happy days PopT

Years ago there were numerous travelling fairs and Circuses that came at different times of the year to different traditional fairground sites all over Sheffield.

There used to be a real holiday feeling at the fairgrounds and the ciruses were magic to the youngsters.

Does any one have any recollections or stories?

Where were all the sites and what was the names of the fairs?

Happy days PopT

My grandfather worked in circuses(?) around 1880-90 as ringmaster to clown.Apparently clowns had to register their make up on an egg.Does anybody know how I could trace it?

I remember the fair that used to come to Norton. We were regular visitors when it was in town

I remember the fair that used to come to Norton. We were regular visitors when it was in town

oaks park............think it was lings fair. Or was it farrars fair?.

Yes I remember the fair that used to come yearly on Coleridge. I lived on Stovin Rd off Coleridge and used to love to go there every night as I was just a teenager then...I met my husband there. :D

When I got married we bought a new house on Maple croft Road at the top of Newman Rd. The land the houses was built on had been a tip many years earlier and I remember as a child going to the fair that was on the site once a year or maybe more. When digging the garden we found quite a number of old pennies!
John

I remember the fair that came to the Hillsborough Park each Summer. Went around the back of a ride one night and somebody had stuck a spanner across the fuse terminals on a generator - it was glowing red. Didn't see anybody from Health and Safety.

Granville Road Fair - boxing booths etc.

Going back to the 80's, there used to be one in Endcliffe Park - not that I attended!

I remember going down to millhouses park to the fair that was there, not the little one that is there nearly all year round, I remember the umberella ride which swung right out over abbeydale road.

There was one that came near meadowhall which was very good but it didnt come last year :( . I've been wondering when a fair will be coming next if anyone knows? The one in Hillsborough that used to come just opposite the SWFC ground was also good.

I remember the fair that used to go to Norfolk Park, late 70's early 80's. The waltzer was Farrers, at the time I thought it was awesome!!!

I remember the fair that used to go to Norfolk Park, late 70's early 80's. The waltzer was Farrers, at the time I thought it was awesome!!!eyup jane, farrars waltzer is actually owned by william percival there still on the go, they live at chapeltown

eyup jane, farrars waltzer is actually owned by william percival there still on the go, they live at chapeltown

Thanks for that mh01, I always thought it was the best waltzer I've ever been on.

It had the best looking lads as well!!:)

anyone remember the fair that came on the spare ground on Wordsworth Ave just down from the Tavern (junction with Remmingtom) ?

Acting reit ard sitting on the barriers with legs tooked behind, on the speedway.
Trying to impress all the birds lol

Where were the Health & Safety people then ??

Mid 70s me thinks.

Thanks for that mh01, I always thought it was the best waltzer I've ever been on.

It had the best looking lads as well!!:)hahaha dont bet on it janeybird we wernt 2 bad workin 4 arthur north!that waltzer is still in use today as far as i know

anyone remember the fair that came on the spare ground on Wordsworth Ave just down from the Tavern (junction with Remmingtom) ?

Acting reit ard sitting on the barriers with legs tooked behind on the speedway.

Where were the Health & Safety people then ??

Mid 70s me thinks.i use to work on that 1! it was run by arthur north & son they had the dodgem and arcade, the waltzer was under the name of jt north but run by the roberts family, the speedway that came was run by des stanley from barnsley and 2years there was the umbrellas, they were run by micheal whiting all of these still operate apart from the umbrellas-whitings still operate kids rides

Yep Your right M8 not much there ,but we woud spend all night hangin around.
great memories

Yep Your right M8 not much there ,but we woud spend all night hangin around.
great memoriesthe biggest i remember us doing was probably firth park about 6wks after wordsworth, farrars/percivals waltzer was converted to speedway at firth park cos harniess of doncaster did the waltzer they use to meet up with us there. most of them live at chapeltown now apart from stanleys who are still at barnsley and harniess are still in donny

eyup banjo, i left colley in 85 did you know paul c, liam r, chris c? they all went to colley and all worked for arthur, great family the norths, proper looked after there lads and old mrs norths cooking was to die for her home made doorstep sarnies were the best youd ever tasted

Hiya MH, I know Liam, Paul and Chris. I married a Percivals lad tho!

Hiya MH, I know Liam, Paul and Chris. I married a Percivals lad tho!eyup banjo, which percivals? there was 2 percival familys, william and another who use to park up by the ball over winter. was you in paul c's year then cos i think he left colley in 81

I was a year above Paul, he married a girl from Normanton that he met when he was travelling. It was William and Gladys that my OH worked for, not seen them for about 5 years though

I was a year above Paul, he married a girl from Normanton that he met when he was travelling. It was William and Gladys that my OH worked for, not seen them for about 5 years thoughi think he's still with her, you mean the 1 who had dark curly hair. paul was a good tattooist aswel he could have made a good living from that

I was a year above Paul, he married a girl from Normanton that he met when he was travelling. It was William and Gladys that my OH worked for, not seen them for about 5 years thoughcan you remember dean off the cross use to work for dowses? he died about 5yr ago i was only talking to him a few days before he had the haemorrage he seemed fine

lets take this to pm cos we are hogging the thread

Bottom of Granville Road late 40s. Wow. That's going back. The years are piling on. They used to call the big piece of land the "Fairgrounds," even when the fair wasn't playing. College is on it now I believe(?). Coconut stands. Freak shows. They didn't care bk then. Walking there and bk as we were within walking distance.

Circuses? Chippendale's 1954. I was in 4th grade elementary at Woodhouse West. We had a school trip to the circus. There was a man who was fired out of a cannon. We all talked abt that. The human cannonball I think he was called.

Bottom of Granville Road late 40s. Wow. That's going back. The years are piling on. They used to call the big piece of land the "Fairgrounds," even when the fair wasn't playing. College is on it now I believe(?). Coconut stands. Freak shows. They didn't care bk then. Walking there and bk as we were within walking distance.

Circuses? Chippendale's 1954. I was in 4th grade elementary at Woodhouse West. We had a school trip to the circus. There was a man who was fired out of a cannon. We all talked abt that. The human cannonball I think he was called.eyup rog, sorry i cant remember that its way before my time

There was a big fairground once a year that used to be on what was called the Farm Grounds on Granville Road, Chipperfields Circus used to come to a large spare block of land on Division Street, as well as a big fair that had the boxing booths etc.
I also remember a fair being held each year on what was called the Atlas & Norfolk football ground on the Shirecliffe, those were great days.

Hey i went to Colley too.................

Hey i went to Colley too.................eyup pops what years were you at colley?

Granville Road Fair - boxing booths etc.

Going back to the 80's, there used to be one in Endcliffe Park - not that I attended!

Yes great you use to go home with black feet co's of the dusty ash

Bottom of Granville Road late 40s. Wow. That's going back. The years are piling on. They used to call the big piece of land the "Fairgrounds," even when the fair wasn't playing. College is on it now I believe(?). Coconut stands. Freak shows. They didn't care bk then. Walking there and bk as we were within walking distance.

Circuses? Chippendale's 1954. I was in 4th grade elementary at Woodhouse West. We had a school trip to the circus. There was a man who was fired out of a cannon. We all talked abt that. The human cannonball I think he was called.

Hi rogG,
The Star and Telegraph used to arrange the Sheffield Gala at the Farm Grounds on Granville Road every August Bank Holiday weekend, which was at the beginning of August in those days. The Grounds were divided into two sections by a pond.The section nearest Granville Road was level with the road, but the section at the other side of the pond climbed up to higher ground. A stage was set up at the lower part of the section nearest Granville Road. From early afternoon until dusk, there were talent contests and other entertainment on the stage. People usually picnicked whilst they watched the show. At the same time, but continuing until about 10pm, on the high section of the Grounds was the very large funfair. The Gala catered for every one and it was many families only enjoyment they got during the works weeks. Holidays away were not the norm for many families.
The dusty feet mentioned by trans were got by walking up the vehicular access track around the pond to get to the fair.

With regards circuses, I also remember going to Chipperfields Circus on Devonshire Green. The best and most magical circus that I can remember going to (which was probably my first circus) was Bertram Mills Circus on the Pheasant Inn ground at Attercliffe. In those days the animal acts were a large part of the show and were fascinating to this young child. Animal rights awareness was still in the future.
Regards m.

The smaller fair that went round all the districts weekly used to come to Intake in the middle of August.

Before Intake it came from Woodhouse and after went to Gleadless, I think Fiddlers field. At Woodhouse it was on Skelton Lane by the side of the library and at Intake it was on a spare piece of land where Woodhouse Rd meets Mansfield Rd and at the back of Newlands Grove.
Magical to me at the time, the dizzy heights of the music, the rides, the smell of onions frying, bright pink candy floss, the stall owners calling out for custom to throw the wooden rings, shoot down the ducks, knock the coconuts off the stand. Swing boats, dodgems and the walza

All in my head going round and round as I walked home afterwards.
The 14th of August was my birthday and it was as if this had all been laid on especially.

hazel

The smaller fair that went round all the districts weekly used to come to Intake in the middle of August.

Before Intake it came from Woodhouse and after went to Gleadless, I think Fiddlers field. At Woodhouse it was on Skelton Lane by the side of the library and at Intake it was on a spare piece of land where Woodhouse Rd meets Mansfield Rd and at the back of Newlands Grove.
Magical to me at the time, the dizzy heights of the music, the rides, the smell of onions frying, bright pink candy floss, the stall owners calling out for custom to throw the wooden rings, shoot down the ducks, knock the coconuts off the stand. Swing boats, dodgems and the walza

All in my head going round and round as I walked home afterwards.
The 14th of August was my birthday and it was as if this had all been laid on especially.

hazelhello again hazel, how long is it since they attended these sites and can you remember the names of the operators of these rides?

Hi
I'm remembering the early 1950s I would be in my teens, can't remember the names of the fair people though but my older sister might, I'll ask her.
They still visited the sites much later when my children were small I remember going to the fair at Handsworth off Handsworth Rd probably end of the 60s and going to the fair at Woodhouse well into the 70s .

I can just remember going to a fair before the war it seemed to be acrooss from the Midland railway station where the uni building is now ' Nelson Mandelo'
hazel

Hi
I'm remembering the early 1950s I would be in my teens, can't remember the names of the fair people though but my older sister might, I'll ask her.
They still visited the sites much later when my children were small I remember going to the fair at Handsworth off Handsworth Rd probably end of the 60s and going to the fair at Woodhouse well into the 70s .

I can just remember going to a fair before the war it seemed to be acrooss from the Midland railway station where the uni building is now ' Nelson Mandelo'
hazeli wernt born until 70 so id be interested to know who operated them, lets hope your sister can remember them, many thanx

Anyone remember the fair at the side of ball inn - in ecclesfield,I used to live in the cottages behind the ball

can you remember dean off the cross use to work for dowses? he died about 5yr ago i was only talking to him a few days before he had the haemorrage he seemed fine

dean darby,worked on the speedway or waltzer ,if i,m right,big mates with DER ,YING (worked for sam ashcroft) and DOUGGIE(Gary Douglas).....also remember OCKER(Ian)RICHIE(Barnsley lad) WAYNE STABLES,RICHIE(paybox on the speedway),BRUSH,NINK,BOB COUSINS,XR3 SHAUN,the bully boy called RUSS HYDES,TAB,MEZZY ,Stewart radford and GANGSTER.
I,m sure that i could name more,but my memory is not what it was,so i will leave it there.

Thanks for that mh01, I always thought it was the best waltzer I've ever been on.

It had the best looking lads as well!!:)

Farrars used to stand in Hillsborough park and I met my first husband when he was working on the waltzer and I was riding on it.

Farrar's still come to Hillsborough Park, usually March /April time and then again in August.

[QUOTE=manaman;4684066]Hi rogG,
The Star and Telegraph used to arrange the Sheffield Gala at the Farm Grounds on Granville Road every August Bank Holiday weekend, which was at the beginning of August in those days. The Grounds were divided into two sections by a pond.The section nearest Granville Road was level with the road, but the section at the other side of the pond climbed up to higher ground. A stage was set up at the lower part of the section nearest Granville Road. From early afternoon until dusk, there were talent contests and other entertainment on the stage. People usually picnicked whilst they watched the show. At the same time, but continuing until about 10pm, on the high section of the Grounds was the very large funfair. The Gala catered for every one and it was many families only enjoyment they got during the works weeks. Holidays away were not the norm for many families.
The dusty feet mentioned by trans were got by walking up the vehicular access track around the pond to get to the fair.

Nice detail here, manaman. I think I've posted this on another thread but just after the war there was a demonstration of spitfires at the fair. Not sure whether that was a fly by or exhibit.

not sure if true but i was told there was a circus in the early 1900s on worthing road on the field

my mate worked at a fair as a human cannon ball, but he got fired, When he took em to a tribunal he was awarded £1000 on the grounds of FUNFAIR DISSMISEL

I remember when the cicus came to old field at side of Stovin Road It was "Robert Fossets circus" During the day we would walk round the site and look at the animals, there was a Polar bear in a cage and scared me to death. We also went to the circus and I remember (Apparently) the worlds strongest man, his name was "Ivan Carl" and he bent an iron bar around his neck.

Norths Fair used to be at side of 'wallet' in Ecclesfield and there used to also be one behind Coach and Horses at Chapeltown

I remember when the cicus came to old field at side of Stovin Road It was "Robert Fossets circus" During the day we would walk round the site and look at the animals, there was a Polar bear in a cage and scared me to death. We also went to the circus and I remember (Apparently) the worlds strongest man, his name was "Ivan Carl" and he bent an iron bar around his neck.

Ivan Carl - the Russian strongman who drove a Russian car and wore a cossack, but was really Barry Smith (or something like) that from Huddersfield who died a few years ago. Still don't know how he bent that bar up against his throat or around his neck!

Hello,

My earliest recollection of a fair must have been just before the war. It was at the old Smithfield Market site The area on Blonk Street between the Don and the Victoria Station Approach.

I do remember being frightened by all the Steam traction engines. Some were making electricity to drive the various rides and a few drove the rides themselves. Very few diesel generators in those days.

The earliest Circus I recall was Bertram Mills in 1948(?). The Circus wanted to set-up in Hillsborough Park, which would have been ideal; however, the "Comrades" at the Town Hall made them go to the Pheasant Inn Ground on Attercliffe Common. Even the good folks at Attercliffe thought it was silly place to put it, although I'm sure the local kids enjoyed having it there.

In those days, most things moved by rail and Circus' had their own special trains. Bertram Mills train was shunted into the Wicker Goods Yard. From the side entrance of the Goods Yard (opposite T.W.Ward's offices), they paraded all the way down to Attercliffe. I didnt get to see the parade but a lot of kids did and never stopped talking about it. It was a really big event at the time.

Regards

the buzz we would get when we saw the first tents being erected on the field as we knew that a week later there would be a big parade as all the animals from the circus would parade through the streets (health and safety and animal welfare didnt come into it)i lived in darnall and the annual parade to colleridge road was the highlight of the year as was the fair coming we would save all the empty pop bottles for months to get our spending money

Bertram Mills Circus, Chipperfields and Billy Smarts - when I was little we used to go to all of them in complimentary ringisde seats as my father was a vet, and was the official circus vet when they were in town - he was never called out to anything more interesting than a horse with a sore foot, though. However, he used to visit and go round the animal tents to check welfare, and I met a lion tamer called Alex Kerr, we visited his van and I was allowed to stroke a lion cub. Although I do agree that it is cruel to have a "wild beast show" as they were called, due to the stresses of travelling and confining them in small cages,the animals were all very well cared for and treated as well as they possibly could be given the circumstances. Apparently Alex Kerr at one time used to take a tiger for walks on a lead in the street!

My favourite act? Coco the clown - what a lovely man. Some years ago I visited the circus sideshow at (I think) Alton towers, and it was run by his daughter.