© Joe Douglas. 2016

The half term holidays at Whitsuntide and Martinmas were the start and end of the travelling season respectively. The week was a kind of a ‘grand tour’ of the West Cumberland towns and is detailed below.

Between Friday Lunchtime and midnight the following Sunday the whole fairground was taken down and put up four times and the fair was open for between 60 and 70 hours.

The last one I did was Martimas 1956. My uncle Stan had a serious back problem so I took my school mate with me and we did all the manual work and helped man the stall and my uncle did the driving.

Friday - Cycle to Maryport after School

Saturday - Open all day. Close at midnight. Take down and pack away.

Sunday - Move to Cockermouth and build up.

Monday - Open all day. Close at midnight. Take down and pack away. Clearing the street by midday Tuesday.

Tuesday - Move to Workington and build up.

Wednesday - Open all day. Close at midnight.

Thursday - Open all day. Close at midnight.  Take down and pack away.

Friday - Move to Whitehaven. Build up and open at 12:00 midday.

Saturday - Open all day. ***

Sunday  - Take down and move to Cleator.

***I cycled home on Saturday afternoon to get my homework done and recover ready for school on Monday.

Half Term ‘Holidays’