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This is part of an article by Rod Spooner from the September,1991, issue of the 'Fairground Mercury' Our thanks for permission to reproduce it.
Workmates often ask me how my interest in fairs began. My answer is always very short: 'Alcester Mop' Its annual 'Mop' fair takes place on the first Monday and Tuesday in October. The main streets are closed t~ traffic and on Tuesday the opening ceremony is performed by the High Bailiff, accompanied by the Court Leet.
My first recollections of the 'Mop' date from 1933, when I was six years old. I suppose my earliest memory of being on a big ride was being taken
on the Tom Clarke Godon Bennet Motors Switchback, which was still att-ending the 'Mop' then. So, what were the pre-war Alcester 'Mops' like? By the 'Royal Oak' stood Frank Wilson's Dodgems (an ex Thurston mach-ine) and Noah's Ark, a German machine which still travels in the guise of Alfie Gess Waltzer. Frank Wilson was, of course, Tommy Wilson's grandfather who had married into the Clarke family. Outside the Conservative Club was Henry Harvey's Cakewalk with showman's engine 'Perseverance'. The Wilson rides were accompanied by the Burrell's showman's engines 'King George' and 'Queen Mary'. I have happy mem-ories of the three engines, all lined up and rocking on their blocks as they generated for the rides. Outside the parish church, by Bun-ting's grocery shop, was Aif Peters' Golden Gallopers, a Walker built ride. Alf's square ended dodgem track, with its fleet of Saxon cars, stood by the Town Hall. One year, as I vaguely recall, a Jack and Jill slide (similar to the modern astroglide) was built up by the Baptist Chapel, a site now used by Ernie Morgan for his train ride.
Although Tuesday was Mop day, the fair for me always started on the Sunday. In the morning I was out early and down to the Stratford Road where the side tenants' loads would pull into Arnold's Field opposite the Recreation Ground. Some came from nearby Studley Mop,others from Birmingham On~on Fair and Gloucester Barton Fair. The vehicles of this period included many ex buses. The makes included Tilling Stevens, Ley-land, Dennis and ex Midland Red BMMO. One vehicle I remember was Billy Brewer's Peerless lorry with its slatted wood body.
After Sunday lunch I would walk along the A435 towards Studley. Soon one would hear the'chug-chug' of the two Wilson engines as they approached from the Onion Fair. Each engine towed th~~ loads, plus a water dandy ofi one train and a coal truck on the other. The Dodgem packed on four loaci5 a flat truck for the bottom frame and plates, another flat one for the nets and top frame - and two car trucks which also carried the gates, roundings and uprights. The Ark was on two loads; a flat truck carrying the platforms, spider bottoms,etc. and a large box truck housing the scenery, animals, gates and top frame. The two-wheel centre was towed behind an ex first world war lorry.
Alf Peters did not arrive until 8 o'clock on the Monday morning, coming straight through Studley Mop. Many a time was I late for school after lingering to watch the loads arrive The Foden steam lorry 'City of Worcester' carried the gantry, platforms and steps and towed the box truck for the horses, rounding boards and top frame. An ex WD lorry with caravan body towed the beautiful Gavioli organ. Although Alf Peters was the last to arrive, he was always the first to be built up, the Gallop-ers being open by the Monday lunchtime. He had a very good workforce, many of whom went on to become showmen in their own right, including George Bills, whose three sons still attend Alcester Mop.
Other tenants I remember from before the War include the Chipperfield family, Bert and Tom Dobson, Sam Smith (of donkey fame), Fred Smith, Billy Henshaw, the Herbert family and, of course, the Brewers.
During the Second World War no Mops were held although the fair was maintained by the Herbert family who set up their rock stall each year. The first fair after the War saw many changes. Gone was Henry Harvey's cakewalk; also missing was Alf Peters and his two rides; no big ride has built up outside the church gates since. The spot by the Town Hall eventually became the site for Billy Kimberley's brand-new supercars dodgem. During my period of service with the R.A.F. 1947 -1955 I saw very few Mops, although I did try to get my leave to co-incide with the fair.
In this post-war period I became a friend of the late Henry Brewer. We would always have a drink together on pull-in day. With the arrival of Billy Kimberley as lessee it was decided to take the whole of Henley street into the fair, thereby introducing new attractions. In 1952 Walter Shufflebottom tried his luck with his sharpshootings and strip show. Other tenants to try this end of town have included Reg. Gale with a Meteorite, Butlins with a Slip, George Hatwell with his Autodrome and Joe Wilson with his Ghost Train. At last year's Mop Abie Morris told me that it was over 25 years since he came here with his family's Big Wheel. Nowadays, Danters make a regular appearance in Henley Street with the Meteorite, the end of the street being occupied by Philip Appleton's Rock-O-Planes.
After the War there was a big change in showmen's transport, with many ex WD vehicles coming on to the market at reasonable prices. These included Tilling Stevens, Austins and Leylands. Many of the old names still put in an appearance at Alcester: Dobson, Bills, Wilson, Smith and Whayman. Fred Smith likes to attend but his sons now have his ground. Fred is really here for the 'ale-tasting'. Many of the old games have gone, such as the Spinners, Roll-a -ball and Wheel-em-in, to be replaced by Picks, Froggitts and Netball.
Since writing for the Worlds Fair and being more mobile I have visited hundreds of fairs. But always dearest to me in Alcester Mop --for that's where it all started for me.'
© Rod Spooner 1992