Ilkeston streets to close for town fair

An ancient feast of fun: Ilkeston Charter Fair takes over heart of town each Autumn (Credit: EBC)

The heart of Erewash’s biggest town will be shut to traffic from early next week as the 774th Ilkeston Charter Fair sees giant thrill rides take over the streets.

Drivers are being warned by the borough council that annual road closures for what is one of the grandest and most ancient street fairs in all of Europe will be in place from Tuesday 20th October.

The Market Place and surrounding shopping thoroughfares including much of Bath Street and South Street will be no-go for vehicles until Monday 26th October.

Other streets are also affected – and the town centre’s main car parks will be shut so they can host rides and stalls.

Full details are on the council’s website here: Temporary Road Closures | Erewash Borough Council.

Travelling showmen have begun arriving in town ready for the five-day extravaganza of family fun, which kicks off at 6pm on Wednesday 21st October. Its OFFICIAL opening is not until the next day – Thursday 22nd October.

Crowds will start gathering in front of the town hall from 10:30am for revels in the run-up to a historic ceremony led by the Mayor of Erewash.

This year the Ashby Little Big Band will be entertaining townsfolk with vintage swing and ballroom music as “bubble stilt walkers” wow youngsters.

As noon approaches, an official will read out the ancient charter that allows a fair to be held by the people of “Elkesdon”. Medieval monarch King Henry III gave the permission in 1252 – long before Nottingham got its more famous Goose Fair.

At midday – as the clock on St Mary’s Church strikes noon – the Mayor will ring bells signalling the fair can begin. Erewash’s civic leader then heads straight for the big wheel and dodgems along with worshipful guests from across Derbyshire.

Cllr Greg Maskalick – who will be clad in all his finery as this year’s mayor – beamed: “It is a highlight of the civic calendar – and I can’t wait.”

The fair – which has no entry fee – lasted for four days until last year when it was extended to five by allowing travelling showmen to keep rides going over the whole weekend instead of packing up on Saturday night.

The first two hours on Sunday (25th October) – when the fair is open from 1pm to 8pm – will again be designated as a “quiet time” with no lights or music. This is to make the event more inclusive and accessible for little ones, plus children and adults who are sensitive to such sights and sounds.

Unlike the Goose Fair – which now takes place on a recreation ground – Ilkeston fair is still held in the streets.

Erewash Borough Council leader James Dawson described it as a “monumental task” for the authority to stage it each year. But he said: “We are determined to preserve its unique atmosphere.”