Market Street, Ashby-de-la-Zouch, Leics.

Image: © David Hallam-Jones Taken: 16 Sep 2017

This Ferris Wheel is one of the many rides available as part of the annual four day Statutes Fair. In 1260 King Henry III granted a charter to Alan La Zouch allowing for an annual fair where merchandise could be sold in the street. Apart from providing for merriment, the fair was also a hiring fair. Being held at the end of the harvest period, it was ideally timed to serve the dual purpose of providing agricultural workers with a focus for their relaxation after a busy period, whilst also enabling would-be labourers and maids to seek contracts for the coming year. Servants, dairymaids, cowmen and shepherds would all seek work at “The Statutes” and once a master took them on they would be given a shilling, part of which would be spent on a ribbon that they would wear to show they had been hired. More recently stall holders used to be charged individually for their pitches by the Ashby Urban District Council. However, as time went on the pitches were rented to one showman, Mr Pat Collins. Pat Collins Funfairs still run the event, under the present day owner Mr Anthony Harris.

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