Information on Loughborough

Sockman hoarded up today

Posted on 05/11/2007
P. Klein

5th November 2007

Loughborough Sockman being hoarded up (Photograph from CBC)At what is traditionally the end of the travelling season, Loughboroughs Fair has been said to hold a special place in the hearts of fair showmen.

In a carefully choreographed procession the trailers, trucks and lorries, about 300 in total, will start arriving in the town centre at 4am on Wednesday morning. Originally just an event that occupied the Market Square (Market Place) the fair now extends into most of the town centre. No doubt you will see some of the vehicles waiting already in the lay-bys on the roads around Charnwood just out of town. In all there will be 26 major rides and another 130 smaller attractions. By Wednesday afternoon the fair will be ready for the official opening by the Mayor of Charnwood, Councillor Joe Tormey.

Visitors to the market on Saturday would have noticed that much street furniture, such as benches and bins, have started disappearing. Even on Sunday the big masts in the town centre started to vanish. Charnwood Borough Council has been busy for months ensuring that the logistics and planning is perfect so that the fair is a great success and fun for everyone. This work has involved things such as the notices for temporary road closures, safety inspections, changes to public transport routes. Even Loughboroughs famous Sockman (pictured) has seen his environment change for the period of the fair and is now safely secured behind a wooden hoarding to protect him from the lorries that might damage him on Wednesday morning. Fearon Fountain has also been protected.

If you are planning to visit the fair then the weather forecast for the fair is reasonable with the best day being Wednesday, Thursday night it is going to turn a bit cold, Friday and Saturday sees the possibility of showers for fair visitors.