Pinner Charter Fair returned to positive pre-Covid trading after two boom years in Northwest London

The London and Home Counties Section of the Showmen’s Guild are delighted with the success of the complex arrangements they undertook in advance of the holding of the historic Charter Fair in Pinner, in the London Borough. This is in addition to their recent Bank Holiday fairs in the Capital and beyond.

Now administered by the Guild London Section with, the Borough of Harrow’s support, though with the Guild taking on more of the responsibilities and that of other authorities’, such as Transport for London and the Metropolitan Police; the one-day fair took place in the Northwest London suburb. It’s Tudor and Art Deco mock Tudor architecture was transformed for a day by the 686th  annual holding of its Chartered street fair on Wednesday May 29.

Lawrence Crick, led stewarding of the fair on behalf of the Showmen’s Guild London and Home Counties Section, which included an earlier pull-on at 5pm on the Tuesday May 28 supervised with Section stewards in daylight. The large machines were able to get into position in the correct order of their respective positions in is a relatively straightforward procedure. In addition to his proactive stewarding of the fair, Lawrence Crick once more arranged the publicity campaign including posters and a social media presence that showed a strong following.

As with last year, the weather  played its part and was warm and fine throughout the day. Expectations had been high among some Showmen, for the public to look forward to the fair as it was  so popular and busy  over the last two years, on its come-back following the pandemic. In the event, with all the national political, economic and weather upheaval leading up to the fair, attendance was still strong, but spending was mixed.

There was a low key  police presence, once more in the background, rather than in recent years, being based at the police station. and they worked alongside stewards patrolling from the Showmen’s Guild and their paid security across the fair; working with the Showmen’s Guild Stewards. The visitors throughout the day into the evening were predominantly families.

The attractions were as varied as ever this year, reflecting some Showmen’s alternative commitments, while others were attending for the first time the event. Thus, the last surviving streetfair in Middlesex, with its unbroken charter dating back to King Edward III in 1336, continues to change annually.

The top of Bridge Street is an established area for adrenalin rides and Bridget Burton’s Booster was on its 16th appearance standing tall here, in Waxwell Lane.

At the top of Bridge Street stood Robert  & Keely  and James Edwards’ attractively-themed Crazy Fun House, adjacent to the zebra crossing.

Halfway down Bridge Street stood James Noyce & Sons’ Star Flyer; it worked well, looking impressively tall standing next to the suburban streetscape, R.B. Leisure’s Raiders Jungle show reappeared, standing down the hill where their Tropical Trip Miami and now where their Mirror Show stood. Danny Smith was back with his basket-ball and other games; of several hooplas across the fair.

At the junction of Bridge Street and Love Lane stood one of three Miamis that graced the fair; Bronson Thurston’s Daredevil version, on a third appearance with his  elf-made, with Thomas Harris, during the lockdown in 2020, strikingly themed Escape from Alcatraz Labyrinth Mirror Maze opposite, also on a third visit.

Elliott Deakin also brought his Terminator Miami,; whilst James Harris brought The Joker, to Marsh Road, opposite Lawrence Crick’s Larry’s Fun & Games.

Ashley Wood’s Miami position in Marsh Road once again hosted European fold up Dodgems; the bright LED lights on the roundings and above the nets did much to attract the custom that was available throughout the day.

Nearby, fittingly next to the railway bridge, Edward Burton managed to build up fully his 66 foot Ghost Train; which had a good flow of people  passing to draw on, all day.

Where Bridge Street levels off from Love Lane round to Station Approach, as well as elsewhere, several of the Smiths families presented juveniles, inflatables games and kiosks,.

Here at the heart of the fair returning attractions Louise Smith Pettigrove’s Disco Waltzer stood  next  Wilson Amusements rejuvenated Extreme returning  at the bottom of the hill and once more popular with teenagers. William Porter meanwhile presented his Monster Trucks.  

Just beyond these rides, John and Anita Irvin presented a variety of food and sweets units using more of their Streetfood presentation, making an impact in the street.

Opposite stood Emma Brewer’s hoopla among other games, replacing her father’s archery stall from previous years, along with Robert Mayne’s Main St. Diner kiosk nearby.

In the High street, George Heath’s Churros stall  returned in its second season; while further up the High Street by the Queen’s Head pub, that was open throughout the day, in common with other hostelries across the streets of the fair,  saw Brixton’s’ area of rides. Among them were John’s Labyrinth mirror maze; David’s Go Gator, kiosk, Juvenile Jets; Formula and cups; along with the stall. Continuing this busy family area, Philip Searle Sr. & Jr both presented various attractions including the cranes; Thomas train; mini Copters; bungee trampolines; punchball and games along with catering including roast pork.

At the top of the High Street, Bill Pettigrove returned with his inflatable, among the attractions and games from John and James Mackay adjacent to the (former) gallopers position at the top, in front of the John The Baptist fourteenth century church.

There were 150 attractions from nearly seventy tenants, drawn from across the country and many from the London & Home Counties Section itself.

The adult rides did well throughout the day into the evening, tailing off  towards the 11PM closure; while several of the juveniles and shows and the catering traded reasonably from the 10AM start and throughout the day. Overall it was  a successful for the Showmen, some more than others in a busy week; that was book-ended by the Late Spring Bank holiday (formerly Whitsun)  just before it and the Epsom Derby, among other landmark fairs the following weekend.