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A rare image of fairground rides on Market Place, around 1900
View gallery (total of 4 images)
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Sweet smell of success
Harold Cunliffe6/ 3/2008
OUR star photograph this week shows the fair in Market Place taken a century ago. It is rare to see the fair in this location, its usual place was Jackie Booth’s field.
An insight into why Market Place was used during this period is entered in the late Councillor Norcross’s diary. It stated: "Alderman George Booth of Park Villa, which was almost opposite Parkfield Town Hall, died in 1893. He was one of the first magistrates after Middleton was incorporated as a non-County Borough, and he owned the Irk Vale Dye Works, which adjoined Jackie Booth's field.
His father, John Booth was the Jackie Booth who originally rented the field for a showground to Billy Mitchell, a well-known showman who let off pitches to the smaller fry. Mitchell was fond of life, and on his periodical visits to town was in the habit of tempting Jackie Booth to join him. This was resented by Mrs Booth, and after her husbands death refused to let the showmen use the field and left it in her will that it must not be let to showmen."
Later it was found that the Corporation could in fact rent the field themselves, and let pitches. So the fair returned to its original site every wakes until the area was developed.
William (Billy) Mitchell, the son of a registered Manchester baker, started to earn money at an early age. His father died relatively young, so he took on the position of bread winner. He had a mother and sister to support. He would take on any odd job that came his way, he worked hard delivering coal in a hand cart.
William's father made and sold brandy snaps and gingerbread at local fairs and Willam followed in his father’s footsteps by making toffee, which he sold at fairs. He had a novel way of transporting his goods, he made a cart which was pulled by his two Dutch barge hounds. When he had saved enough money he bought a pony which would carry a larger load and he could travel further afield. Eventually he made enough money to buy his first attraction, a hand powered roundabout. This also made a profit and he exchanged it for a larger one.
At the time that the photograph was taken he had bought Angel Meadow fairground in Heywood, owned 29 houses in the town, had five traction engines and four large ‘rides’.
Market Place was once a dimly lit area, this all changed when the fair arrived. Generators would power the lights. Mitchell took advantage of this and would advertise his arrival well in advance: 'This fair will be illuminated by electricity, regardless of cost’. Folk would travel from far and wide to see the brightly lit spectacle.
Our other images show Market Place packed to capacity with well wishers during the Royal Visit of 12 July 1913. A gaily decorated platform was erected at the corner of Corporation Street. Many of the town’s dignitaries can be seen waiting to greet King George V, Queen Mary and Prince Albert. They include the Mayor, Aldermen John Henry Wood and William Greenwood Townsend, who was the Mayor of Middleton 1906 to 1908 and MP Sir Ryland Adkins.
The town was decorated with bunting from Mills Hill, along Oldham Road and Manchester New Road. A total of 250 police from all over Lancashire were drafted into town as well as ambulancemen, firemen, the Territorials and the National Reserve. Our image shows thousands of townsfolk all wanting a glimpse of the Royal Family. Some gained access to the roofs of the Co-op Hall and the Post Office. Others can be seen hanging out of windows.
After meeting many people who were well known in the town the Royal Family left Market Place passing the Assheton Arms, along Long Street to Rochdale Road, through Hebers to Heywood.
Bygone Days would like to thank Doreen El-Ahwany and Kevin Scrivens for their help with this feature.
Click on 'View gallery' for more ...
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14/03/2008 at 01:34