Dodworth Feast

The Dodworth Feast was presumably held at the same time each year - but as I don't recall perhaps you could help out by telling me if I am right or wrong!

The Feast was for many years - perhaps very many years - held at the same place - in a field below the former Horse and Jockey pub [now the Dil Raj restaurant] - it stretched at least as far down the field as what is now land occupied by Council bungalows. When the bungalows were built the Feast or fair moved to the 'Welfare' - or rather the remnants of it did.

In the later years - the stalls and rides and showman's caravans and generators etc. occupied the top part of the field that ran from the High Street to the dyke at the bottom - some say that in earlier times it covered the entire field. Of the latter I have no knowledge - perhaps you can tell me?

The main ride was the 'waltzer' - it was always set up in a prominent position - and was a kind of round-about for 'grown-ups' or perhaps those aspiring to be grown-ups - of both sexes. Instead of 'cocks and hens' or some alternative it had carriages that each held half-a-dozen or so people - and which could - and did - spin around randomly. They were usually full of squealing girls - but occasionally a male would have a go - usually if he was courting, and wished to show to 'show off' to the girl who had captured his heart, or more likely to warn-off potential suitors. Those embryo men would often sit there nonchalantly, trying hard not to smile with delight and attempting to look what is nowadays called 'macho'. That latter term - or whatever was the current version - was most likely to apply to the roustabout type characters who rode on the waltzers apparently to spin the carriages and flirt with the girls! They often demonstrated athletic skills and balancing feats in pursuance of attention from their audience. Of course the fair moved around the area, and at every venue the lads who operated the waltzer would be counted on to do their thing!

Other stalls included - ones that did things with pennies - like require the punter to roll them, hopefully until they fell on a playing card - darts games; hooking floating 'ducks'; and a number involving throwing items like wooden balls at various targets. The main examples of the last type were the 'coconut shy's', where the object was to knock a coconut off its stand by a thrown ball - it was much harder to do than seemed possible!

Along with everything else were food stalls selling unusual confectionary and snacks - and of course the loud traditional music which combined with the chatter of excited youngsters to produce a sort of joyful cacophony!

Underfoot was either grass or wet grass, which the traffic churned into glorious mud!

The University of Sheffield is home to a collection of memorabilia and accounts of the showman's life - it is unique in the UK.

There is however no substitute for your own recollections - which can be shared here if you wish.

The last sentence is a sort of invitation to share your memories!

The Editor