No more cheap thrills at the Links Market

outlay: Cost of rides and stalls just seems to be going up and up

All the fun of the fair returned to Kirkcaldy for another year this week, and by the time you read this the Links Market’s show folk will be preparing to pack up and trundle on their merry way.

But I’ve got to be honest and say that the traditional jaunt along the Prom in search of thrills and spills is becoming more and more of a chore than a pleasure as each year goes by.

Maybe it’s old age – still only 35, thanks very much – or maybe it’s just because I’ve turned into a moaning git, but I’ve found myself joining the chorus of local folk who start conversations about the market by referring to the soaring cost of the rides and stalls rather than the soaring nature of some of the attractions.

I paid attention long enough in economics class to know all about inflation and all the rest of it, and I’m well aware that the ride or stall owners will have overheads and costs that need to be met somehow.

However, I sympathise wholeheartedly with the mums and dads who trudge through the crowds having to listen to their wee ones harp on and harp on about having a shot on the dodgems or the waltzers.

It’s not only draining on their patience, but it’s draining on their wallets and purses as well.

We all know that thousands of people will descend on the Esplanade at this time every April regardless, but the price of the rides, stalls and refreshments is starting to make me a little uncomfortable.

It’s also not the nicest place to be on a Friday or Saturday evening, and you can still see scores of youngsters tanked up on some sort of hooch – despite the best efforts of police and stewards.

Don’t get me wrong, it hasn’t changed much since I was a teenager, and the appeal of visiting Europe’s longest funfair isn’t lost on me.

I loved taking a trip down after school, be it with my mum and dad or my mates, and it was always exciting when classmates who had perhaps been down for an early “walk through” came back regaling us all with tales of some wild and wacky new contraption.

And it’s probably safe to say there are times in my late teens where beer or cider has been the biggest catalyst for my bravado before going on the scarier stuff, rather than youthful exuberance.

Having said all that though, I haven’t really seen much to get overly excited about in recent years – and 2017 hasn’t been much different.

Each to their own, but I’ve come to terms with the fact that, as I near middle age, my love of the Links Market has lessened with each passing year.

It’s becoming a chore visiting the Links Market these days.