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England (Counties as in 1851-1901) => England => Nottinghamshire => Topic started by: greyingrey on Monday 26 March 12 16:16 BST (UK)

Title: Goose Fair
Post by: greyingrey on Monday 26 March 12 16:16 BST (UK)

Does anyone know of any detailed records/articles relating to Goose Fair ? One of my relatives who emigrated to the US, James Bingley Asher, claimed to his children & grandchildren there that he'd been a prizefighter in Nottingham. I've tried all the usual places & asked on here, but haven't been able to find any record of his doing this (although I've found all the usual records of him)

It may have been a complete lie, of course, but I was just wondering if he may have fought at Goose Fair. We'd be talking about the end of the nineteenth century.

Title: Re: Goose Fair
Post by: copperbeech5 on Monday 26 March 12 17:55 BST (UK)

Hi Greyingrey,

I have just googled it, and found you have been a very busy person!  But nothing there.

Have you tried The National Fairground Archive at Sheffield?  Might be worth a shot.
Contact details below.

http://www.culture24.org.uk/am29118

Good luck,
Copperbeech5

PS, if you put "Nottingham Goose Fair" into Amaz** uk there are a lot of books on the history of....
Also have you tried Nottingham Archive, or Angel Row Library - Lacol History Dept?

Title: Re: Goose Fair
Post by: greyingrey on Monday 26 March 12 19:54 BST (UK)

Thanks very much, copperbeech......I do my best. I'll follow up your link....I don't know if a local was allowed to be a fighter there, or if it was confined to the fair people who then challenged any locals. A friend has offered to go to go to Angel Row library for me .

Title: Re: Goose Fair
Post by: copperbeech5 on Monday 26 March 12 23:42 BST (UK)

Hello Greyingrey,

Fair stuff is not my thing, but I have a friend who is more familiar with it, he is now away till later in the week, but I will quiz him on his return... you never know, he might have another idea!

Good luck.
Copperbeech5

Title: Re: Goose Fair
Post by: greyingrey on Wednesday 28 March 12 10:41 BST (UK)

Thank you very much for all your help, copperbeech

Title: Re: Goose Fair
Post by: copperbeech5 on Friday 30 March 12 07:31 BST (UK)

Hello G,

Please can you tell me the dates fro this chap, or at least the time he would have been fighting?

Thanks,
Copperbeech5

Title: Re: Goose Fair
Post by: greyingrey on Tuesday 03 April 12 20:46 BST (UK)

He emigrated to the US in 1883 when he was only 19, so it could only have been for a few years up to then.

Thanks so much for your continued interest

Title: Re: Goose Fair
Post by: copperbeech5 on Wednesday 04 April 12 18:49 BST (UK)

Hi G,

Just a quick update, I am still on the case, but waiting to hear from other folk... I'll keep you posted!

Best wishes,
Copperbeech5

Title: Re: Goose Fair
Post by: greyingrey on Thursday 05 April 12 19:25 BST (UK)

Thank you very much for all your trouble.....you never know !!!

Title: Re: Goose Fair
Post by: copperbeech5 on Thursday 05 April 12 19:33 BST (UK)

Hi G,

Have been given the name "Fairground Heritage Trust", it might be worth you mailing  (form on their website) and asking them for any info, whilst we are waiting for my contact!!

Best wishes,
Copperbeech5

Title: Re: Goose Fair
Post by: D Orris on Thursday 05 April 12 21:22 BST (UK)

Hi
Just for background information, my OH used to visit the Goose Fair when he was a lad and remembers that along with the fair there were boxing booths, this would have been in 1960's, but remembers that his dad talked about them from his youth in the 1920's, the prize fighter travelled with the fairs and anyone could have a fight for about 2s and if he won he would get 10s. 

One of the boxing booths he thinks had the name Wood or Woods on it.

Regards D Orris

Title: Re: Goose Fair
Post by: copperbeech5 on Thursday 05 April 12 22:24 BST (UK)

This is an interesting link...

http://www.nfa.dept.shef.ac.uk/history/shows/boxing.html