Hoppings

[Shadow]

Is anyone going this year?

I used to love going to this when I was young-I know it was cruel now but back then the goldfish in their bags and my dad trying to win us one was a highlight,along with those frilly lacy dolls that everyone had to have.

You could go in any direction on the dodgems,not like now when you are all going in the same direction,and the walzers were the equivalent of a white knuckle ride for us-apart from those bomber things and I never had the nerve for them-my favourite ride was actually the horses on the carousel lol.

We went last year and I do still enjoy it altho the rides scare me and I dont go on any-but its the prices-with the three kids I cant believe what we spent last year-and frankly this year we just cant afford it especially coming so close to our other trip and my sons birthday.

Just wondered if anyone had been yet

[Pollypeterborough]

No i just get mine in the bar. ;D

[Shadow]

Lol-the goldfish or the frilly doll Poll

[Deleted]

June loved it the higher the fast the better she liked it. I wasn't that keen. Won't be going although I can see it from my window.
Bring back lots of good memories.

[Jazz]

Oh yes, I love the Hoppings but I haven't been in years. I remember when I was about 9, 10, 11 coming home with a load of prizes including a tea set! It was a problem getting it home...no car then of course. Also remember having a cowboy hat which was from there....I even went to bed wearing it! ;D
Later, when about 13 or so, going up with school friends, we used to like going around the freak shows....woman in a block of ice....ugliest woman in the world.....sheep with two heads, flea circus, etc....that sort of thing! But the big thing was the "Nude Women" shows!.....bear in mind we were pubescent teenagers and this was well before page 3 in the "Sun"! The bloke at the front of the "tent" had a sign in his hands saying "Adults Only 2/6 (12/13p)".....when it was time for the show to start he'd turn it round with "Adults 2/6..Children 1/3".....we rushed in to see a 50 year old woman displaying everything......I guess she was probably an old prostitute! ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D

[Jazz]

Later again at the Hoppings, about 1992, when taking the kids round (and worrying about money!) I remember us passing some "extreme" ride and just after we passed one of the "carriages/cars" came flying off exactly where we would have been walking. I believe someone was killed or badly injured....it was on the News/Papers.

[geordie]

When I was about 9 years old back in the early 1950's. my stepfather took brother Billy and me to the Town Moor Hoppings, he was drunk and wouldnt leave until he had won a coconut, we never got a ride on anything but it was great just to see it all, when we came out we crossed the road to catch a trolley bus to Marlborough Cresent Bus Station, he almost threw my brother onto the back of a trolley bus then it moved off and he jumped on, turned to me and shouted for me to hurry up. there was another Trolley just behind me closing the gap as I ran after the first one, when it stopped at the next stop I caught up out of breath and stepdad grabbed my coat collar, lifting me and threw me into the bus shouting not to make a fool of him again, I never went beck to the Moor after that.

[Shadow]

I remember the "freak show" exhibits-cats with six toes etc and some horrible jar containing what we believed to be pickled Siamese twins

Remember passing the rude lady shows-you'd see teenage lads lurking outside and some dubious older bloke inviting people in-and very loud music-often wondered what it was like in there so thanks for letting me know Jazz

Lol forgot about the coconuts Geordie-these days the thrill is gone-they just sell em

[Jazz]

Wonder if those pickled Siamese twins are still doing the rounds.....I remember them well...what a disappointment they were!

[Jazz]

Another great memory of the Hoppings was my Dad flinging a ball at a bulls eye which had a button that made a lounging woman in a swimsuit tumble into a tank of water! Great laughter, fun! ;D

[skintagain]

never been to the hoppings for years, the last time i went it cost a small fortune i think the kids would rather have the money spent on a computer game or dvd at least they would have something to show for the money, for shows Flamingo land is ideal if you go before or just after the school holidays then there are no ques so you realy get your moneys worth, and if it rains you dont end up trudging through mud.