The Hoppings
Encyclopedia
The Hoppings is held on the Town Moor
in Newcastle upon Tyne
during the last week in June.
It is recognised to be Europe
's largest travelling fun fair.
Several origins have been suggested for the name. Most relate to dancing, the word "hopping" meaning a dance in Middle English (Old fairs included dancing). Another idea stems from the clothing which the travellers use to wear; that being of old, sack like tops and pants. Clothing often became infested with fleas from the animals that travelled with the fair. People were often seen 'jumping' or 'hopping' about itching from the bites which they received. Or the name may derive from the Anglo-Saxon word "hoppen" meaning funfair.
The fair began as a Temperance Fair
in 1882. It was scheduled to coincide with Race Week at Newcastle Racecourse
, during which the Northumberland Plate
was awarded.
The fair took place at Jesmond Dene
from 1914 - 1918 and returned to the more spacious Town Moor, just north of the city centre, in 1919. There was no Festival on the Moor between 1920 and 1923, but it returned in June 1924, where it continued annually until 1946; a non-Showmen's Guild Fair was held that year but proved to be unpopular. The Guild showmen returned in 1947 and the Hoppings was a success with a record attendance; it has been held, uninterrupted, on the Town Moor ever since.
It has over 60 large rides and many more kids rides and stalls - everything from rollercoasters and funhouses to teacups and big wheels, fortune tellers and many food vans.
The dates for the 2011 Hoppings are 17-25 June.
Town Moor, Newcastle upon Tyne
The Town Moor is a large area of common land in Newcastle upon Tyne. It covers an area of around 400ha, and is larger than Hyde Park and Hampstead Heath combined, stretching from the city centre and Spital Tongues in the south out to Cowgate/Kenton Bar to the west, Gosforth to the north and...
in Newcastle upon Tyne
Newcastle upon Tyne
Newcastle upon Tyne is a city and metropolitan borough of Tyne and Wear, in North East England. Historically a part of Northumberland, it is situated on the north bank of the River Tyne...
during the last week in June.
It is recognised to be Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
's largest travelling fun fair.
Several origins have been suggested for the name. Most relate to dancing, the word "hopping" meaning a dance in Middle English (Old fairs included dancing). Another idea stems from the clothing which the travellers use to wear; that being of old, sack like tops and pants. Clothing often became infested with fleas from the animals that travelled with the fair. People were often seen 'jumping' or 'hopping' about itching from the bites which they received. Or the name may derive from the Anglo-Saxon word "hoppen" meaning funfair.
The fair began as a Temperance Fair
Temperance movement
A temperance movement is a social movement urging reduced use of alcoholic beverages. Temperance movements may criticize excessive alcohol use, promote complete abstinence , or pressure the government to enact anti-alcohol legislation or complete prohibition of alcohol.-Temperance movement by...
in 1882. It was scheduled to coincide with Race Week at Newcastle Racecourse
Newcastle Racecourse
Newcastle Racecourse is a horse racing course located at Gosforth Park near Newcastle upon Tyne in England. It stages both flat and National Hunt racing, with its biggest meeting being the Northumberland Plate held annually in June.-History:...
, during which the Northumberland Plate
Northumberland Plate
The Northumberland Plate is a flat handicap horse race in Great Britain open to thoroughbreds aged three years or older. It is run at Newcastle over a distance of 2 miles and 19 yards , and it is scheduled to take place each year in late June or early July.-History:The event was established in...
was awarded.
The fair took place at Jesmond Dene
Jesmond Dene
Jesmond Dene is a public park in the east end of Newcastle upon Tyne, England. It occupies the narrow steep-sided valley of a small stream known as the Ouseburn: in North-east England, such valleys are commonly known as denes....
from 1914 - 1918 and returned to the more spacious Town Moor, just north of the city centre, in 1919. There was no Festival on the Moor between 1920 and 1923, but it returned in June 1924, where it continued annually until 1946; a non-Showmen's Guild Fair was held that year but proved to be unpopular. The Guild showmen returned in 1947 and the Hoppings was a success with a record attendance; it has been held, uninterrupted, on the Town Moor ever since.
It has over 60 large rides and many more kids rides and stalls - everything from rollercoasters and funhouses to teacups and big wheels, fortune tellers and many food vans.
The dates for the 2011 Hoppings are 17-25 June.
External links
- Official Website
- The Town Moor Hoppings Behind the scenes of Europe's largest fairground
- The Hoppings on UKrides Pictures & videos of The Hoppings