Nostalgia: All the fun of the fair – and it’s not always win a goldfish

Swingboats at the Ipswich Air Show fairground in 1990 Picture: PAUL NIXON

Our county has hosted a wide variety of fairs over many centuries with the original fairs either being grand travelling events that would tour the region or even country, generating huge excitement with the arrival of their exotic entertainment, rides and games, or more locally-organised community activities.

Today we mostly think of funfairs – from rollercoasters to hook-a-duck – when we hear there is a fair or fayre taking place, but, of course, it can be a sale of goods on a regular or special occasion, or even an exhibition.

Do these photos of fairs in Ipswich bring back memories? Did you attend or can you spot someone you know? Email judy.rimmer@archant.co.uk

To order photos, visit www.eadt.co.uk/myphotos24, or call Diane Townsend on 01603 772449.

Ipswich Hospital Radio Fun Fair in 1982 Picture: RICHARD SNASDELL (Image: Archant)

Ipswich Hospital Radio Fun Fair in 1982 Picture: RICHARD SNASDELL (Image: Archant)

Hunting for a rarity... record collectors at the Ipswich Record Fair in 1992 Picture: ARCHANT (Image: Archant)

Hunting for a rarity... record collectors at the Ipswich Record Fair in 1992 Picture: ARCHANT (Image: Archant)

Illustrators work on their drawings during a children's book fair in 1979 Picture: RICHARD SNASDELL

One of the more interesting finds at the Ipswich Antique's Fair in 1988 Picture: ARCHANT