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
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
New Perspectives: La Haine New Perspectives: La Haine
Short documentary 2025 4 mins
Charlie Hammersley, a student from Northumbria University, explains how Mathieu Kassovitz's 1995 film holds up a mirror to society.
Watch for free
Dreamers Q&A Dreamers Q&A
Inside Film 2025 30 mins
The film-makers behind a haunting tale of love and community within a UK immigration detention centre visited the BFI Southbank to discuss their film.
Watch for free
Paul Thomas Anderson and Leonardo DiCaprio in Conversation Paul Thomas Anderson and Leonardo DiCaprio in Conversation
Inside Film 2025 50 mins
Paul Thomas Anderson and Leonardo DiCaprio in Conversation at BFI Southbank, discussing the making of One Battle After Another.
Watch for free
Laura Mulvey in Conversation Laura Mulvey in Conversation
Inside Film 2025 76 mins
Laura Mulvey in conversation, following her BFI Fellowship Award.
Watch for free
George Clooney in Conversation George Clooney in Conversation
Inside Film 2025 74 mins
George Clooney visited BFI Southbank to look back on his life and career.
Watch for free
Chloé Zhao Screen Talk | BFI London Film Festival 2025 Chloé Zhao Screen Talk | BFI London Film Festival 2025
Inside Film 2025 65 mins
The Oscar®- winning director of Nomadland discusses her unique approach to filmmaking and the inspiration behind the adaptation of Hamnet.