The Media Archive for Central England is the public screen archive for the East and West Midlands. An independent charity and company based at the University of Lincoln, MACE acquires, catalogues, preserves and makes widely available moving image materials that inform our understanding of the diverse cultures and histories of communities between the Lincolnshire coast and the Welsh border.
This film is currently unavailable
Video Player is loading.
Nottingham Goose Fair October 1959
Without a goose in sight, but with plenty of candy floss and toffee apples, the annual extravaganza of the showman's art of entertainment brings thrills to Nottingham.
From the collection of:
Overview
Captured by an unknown film-maker, the 1959 Goose Fair promised thrills aplenty, from the 'Temple of Black Magic' to all eleven feet of 'Kap-Dwa the two headed giant' ('he is not just a tall man' the ads intriguingly point out). An optimistically early appearing by Father Christmas in the Autumn sunshine and the sight of the mayor of Nottingham taking his turn on the dodgems adds to the fun.
Immortalised in Alan Sillitoe's 'Saturday Night and Sunday Morning', which was published the previous year, Nottingham's annual Goose Fair has a history that dates back to the thirteenth century. Farm produce, including the thousands of Lincolnshire geese that were sold at the fair for centuries, have now gone, so there's no chance of anything like the cheese riot of 1764, a local upheaval which culminated in the mayor being bowled over by a large cheese. Even so, the fair lives on as a highlight of the local calendar, a fixture on the Forest Recreation Ground every October since 1928 when it moved from its original city centre location.
Related
Watch for free
Alternative Press Alternative Press
Current affairs 1978 11 mins Location: Harborne
By local folks, for local folks' - printing the local news where you live.
Watch for free
High Jinks at Nottingham High Jinks at Nottingham
Non-Fiction 1928 1 mins Silent Location: Nottingham
Visitors to Nottingham Carnival enjoy themselves on land and water
Watch for free
Jack Dunnett MP for Nottingham Central Jack Dunnett MP for Nottingham Central
News 1971 9 mins Location: Nottingham
Nottingham MP Jack Dunnett: a true man of the people who puts his constituents first but still finds time to support his local football team.
Watch for free
University of Nottingham: Carnival Revue 1951 University of Nottingham: Carnival Revue 1951
Home movie 1951 22 mins Silent Location: Nottingham
Students from the University of Nottingham take to the streets with fund raising, fancy dress and frippery as their annual carnival lights up Festival of Britain year.
Watch for free
Nottingham Goose Fair Nottingham Goose Fair
Non-Fiction 1926 1 mins Silent Location: Nottingham
It's the time of the Nottingham Goose Fair and the crowds are out to enjoy the rides, stalls and other amusements
Watch for free
St Ann's St Ann's
Documentary 1969 45 mins Location: Nottingham
Stephen Frears' documentary about two hard-working families living in unsanitary houses in St Ann's, Nottingham
Watch for free
The Extraordinary Miss Flower - Exclusive Q&A The Extraordinary Miss Flower - Exclusive Q&A
Inside Film 2025 28 mins
Directors Iain Forsyth and Jane Pollard talk about their film, which unpacks a suitcase of love letters that inspired an album by Emilíana Torrini.
Watch for free
Desiree Akhavan on Appropriate Behaviour (Q&A) Desiree Akhavan on Appropriate Behaviour (Q&A)
Inside Film 2015 16 mins
The actor-writer-director discusses the making of her comedy about a bisexual Iranian-American woman struggling to negotiate her troubled love life.
Watch for free
Afrika Bambaataa on Afrofuturism (Q&A) Afrika Bambaataa on Afrofuturism (Q&A)
Inside Film 2014 45 mins
Afrika Bambaataa and DJ, musician and filmmaker Don Letts discuss the development of Afrofuturism and its key artists.
Watch for free
Jonathan Glazer and James Wilson on Under the Skin (Q&A) Jonathan Glazer and James Wilson on Under the Skin (Q&A)
Inside Film 2014 15 mins
Director Jonathan Glazer, producer James Wilson and musician Mica Levi talk about the making of dazzling science fiction drama Under the Skin.
Watch for free
Mark Cousins & Mohammad Ali-Talebi in Conversation Mark Cousins & Mohammad Ali-Talebi in Conversation
Inside Film 2014 9 mins
Mohammad-Ali Talebi talks to Mark Cousins about his series of classic childhood films, including Willow and Wind, The Boot and Bag of Rice.
Watch for free
The Lunchbox star Irrfan Khan Discusses His Career (Q&A) The Lunchbox star Irrfan Khan Discusses His Career (Q&A)
Inside Film 2013 51 mins
Bollywood star Irrfan Khan (The Lunchbox) discusses his career with director Asif Kapadia.