‘Hull fair will survive this - it will live on forever’
SHOWMAN SAYS TRADITION WILL ENDURE
FOR showman David Wallis, Hull Fair is not just a money maker, but a chance to meet up with family and friends.
But this year the vast Walton Street car park lies eerily empty as the fair was cancelled due to the pandemic.
David, 75, has been coming to Hull Fair since he was a young boy and has been operating rides for 45 years.
He and his family, who are based in Manchester, operate a large number of rides at the fair including the Ice Maze funhouse, the Rotor, Extreme, the Runaway Train and carousels.
“Hull Fair is Christmas Day for us,” David said, “and who would not miss that? All my family are showmen and we each travel to different parts of the country. But Hull Fair is the one time where all my children and grandchildren come together.
“The fair isn’t just financially important, it is a social event. It is difficult for all families at the moment who cannot see each other due to the restrictions.
“We are lucky to have a pod of people and can see each other. But Hull Fair gives us a chance to all get together and that won’t happen this year.”
As well as meeting family, it is also a great way to catch up with lifelong friends.
“I miss the camaraderie most,” David said. “You don’t see some people for a year, but when you meet up again it is as if you only saw them yesterday.
“You meet people at Hull Fair and become lifelong friends. We have a school here and the children also meet friends for life and they look forward to meeting up again each year.
“This is a family tradition for us and we have been coming to Hull Fair for eight generations.”
David has a travelling fair set up in Swindon at the moment. But he admits business has not been great and, without Hull Fair, it will be a difficult winter.
“Hull Fair represents our last big event before winter,” David said. “It is here we gather the nuts to get us through the winter period.
“There are also other smaller events that have been cancelled, such as bonfire events and Christmas lights switch-ons.
“Early on in lockdown we managed to get some grants, but all that money has now gone. We are very concerned what is going to happen through the winter. Some showmen and their families have taken on other jobs. The problem is the outgoings remain even though we are not making any money.”
David admits not every showman’s business will survive the restrictions put in place and is also concerned for local businesses in Hull.
He said: “You also have to consider the businesses in Hull that depend on Hull Fair.
“It would not surprise me if, maybe, 25 per cent of showmen will move on probably because they will find an easier living.”
Meanwhile, David believes Hull Fair is important to the people in the city.
“It is a tradition which will carry on despite what has happened this year and hopefully it will go on forever,” he said.