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Stop treating Showpeople as if they don't exist...Apologies, that should be Fri 6th March... by @fairscotland

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5 months ago

For the first time in (at least) 80 years the Showman's Guild Bell rang out over the Whitesands to signal the opening of the 2025 Dumfries Rood Fair! Hosted by lessee Raynor Codona, Provost Tracey Little was joined by the Rev. Thomas Bonnar, Guild Chair Richard Wilmot and Guild Jnr Vice President Alex James Colquhoun to welcome fairgoers and get the event underway.

One of Scotland's oldest and most prestigious fairs, the Rood Fair traditionally marks the 'back end' to the fairground season and stretches along the Nith from Whitesands to Dock Park. The Fair is open Saturday and Sunday 1pm-9pm, so if you're in the Southwest, please come on by!

Thanks go to @stovenetwork and @martinjoneill for working with Fair Scotland to bring the Bell back to the 'Sands, and to all at the Showman's Guild, lessee Raynor Codona and all the wonderful tenants on the Fair who keep this wonderful tradition alive!

#roodfair #dumfries #fairs #funfairs #fairgrounds #circus #ich #worldfunfairmonth by @fairscotland

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10 months ago

🎠The SHOW GOES ON!🎡
Come down to the ‘Sands to celebrate the OPENING of the amazing ROOD FAIR!

For the first time in living memory, the Fair is hosting an Official Opening in Dumfries, and YOU are warmly invited!

Join Us as we CELEBRATE and OPEN the FAIR
📆Thurs 25 Sept
⏰5:30pm (Ceremony at 6pm SHARP)
📍Whitesands, Dumfries (gather at the Waltzer, across from Coach&Horses)
🎟FREE to attend, no need to book
✨ALL WELCOME (SPREAD THE WORD!!!)

⭐️PLS NOTE: There will be limited number of FREE PASSES for fairground rides given out at the event, and FREE gifts and CANDY FLOSS for the kids!
JOIN US to welcome the ROOD FAIR back to Dumfries!

…More details…
A tradition which hasn’t happened on the sands for at least 80 years will be reinvigorated THIS THURSDAY.

Members of the public are cordially invited by Fair Organiser Raynor Codona and Richard Wilmot, Chair of the Scottish Section of the Showman’s Guild – who have been bringing fairground fun to the Whitesands all their lives! The Provost Tracey Little will be welcomed, there will be brief speeches, and Provost will ring a bell to open the fair – setting the stage for six days of fun and entertainment for all ages.

Once the Fair is opened, VIP guests and politicians will take a spin on the historic Coronation Waltzer, followed by a walk down the Whitesands towards Biddall’s Bridge (the suspension bridge / towards Dock Park).

Attendance at the Opening Ceremony is free (although individual rides and stalls do charge as usual) and no booking is required – so come along, bring your family and friends and spread the word – ‘The Shows’ are back on the Whitesands!

The event is supported by the The Stove Network and Fair Scotland. Image of Dumfries Rood Fair at night. taken in The Whitesands, Dumfries by @fairscotland

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10 months ago

Today our Trustee and Jnr Vice President of the Showman's Guild Alex James Colquhoun will give evidence to the Scottish Covid-19 Inquiry on the impact of lockdown on our community & the fairground industry. You can follow it live here: https://www.youtube.com/@covidinquirysco taken in Holyrood, Edinburgh by @fairscotland

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a year ago

This superb article by Dani Garavelli just came out today, but what it details is the culmination of years of work by all of us at Fair Scotland and, in Dumfries especially, half a decade of engagement and advocacy by T.s. Bealleall with the support of organisations such as The Stove Network.

Here's hoping this piece starts meaningful conversations about the future of fairs in Scotland - and that these are fruitful.

https://www.heraldscotland.com/.../25096955.last.../

If you are one of Showland's Own, or just care about the future of our fairs, please fill out our online survey on Scotland's lost and endangered fairs: https://docs.google.com/.../1FAIpQLSeXOpaXTwLXL1.../viewform by @fairscotland

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a year ago

Back by popular demand! Join the 5th annual Fairground Walkabout this Sat 29th March 11am. Join artist TS Beall and Showpeople Alex-James Colquhoun and Raynor Codona for a walk into the past, present and future of Dumfries' March Fair. A rare opportunity to learn about the fair & its history from those who know it best! Hosted by Fair Scotland & The Stove Network.

FREE, but booking recommended: https://thestove.org/event/fairground-walkabout-2025/ taken in Dumfries by @fairscotland

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a year ago

For generations, fairs have been a cornerstone of Dumfries’ identity—shaping traditions, forging connections, and creating shared memories for both Showpeople and the wider community. With shifting policies and urban changes, these historic events now face an uncertain future.

The Spring Fair brings together Showpeople, artists, and the community to celebrate, protect, and ensure the continuation of this rich heritage.

THE SHOW MUST GO ON

The Stove and @fairscotland present The Spring Fair: The Show Must Go On—a vibrant programme of events and activities honouring the enduring legacy of Dumfries’ fairs.

Visit thestove.org/events to find out more by @fairscotland

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a year ago

We've been working hard alongside The Stove Network to develop a series of events, screenings, and walks that celebrate the history of the Dumfries Fairs and highlight the precarity of their future on the Whitesands.

We hope you will join us for these events, hosted in partnership with The Stove Network, listed below and online: bit.ly/DumfriesFair_Events

All events are free, but booking is recommended for some.

Please spread the word and invite others to come along to these events from 22-29th March!

We'll see you on the 'Sands!
– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –
Events during the March Fair in Dumfries
Please spread the word and invite others to come along to these events from 22-29th March!
Events detailed online here and listed below: bit.ly/DumfriesFair_Events

Sat 22nd March 10:30am-12:00pm FREE (RBC Film Theatre – details here)
‘We’d Stand on the Sands’: Film Screening & Discussion on the History & Future of the Dumfries Fairs
–– New short film featuring w/ Geraldine Reid, Philip Paris, & Raynor, Douglas & Penny Codona
–– Historical films of Biddall's Cinematograph and Fairground Floods
–– Discussion of the Flood Prevention Plan and how it will impact the Fairs on the Whitesands – special invitation to those operating in Dumfries

Thurs 27th March 7pm - 8:30pm FREE (Stove Cafe, High St – details here)
Screening of Showland, Film by Mitch Miller and Hopscotch Films, previously aired on BBC

Sat 29th March 11am - 12:45 pm FREE (Meet at Suspension Bridge – details here)
Fairground Walkabout
– Back for its fifth year, this event is hosted by artist t s Beall, Fair Organiser and Showman Raynor Codona, & others
– A walk through the fair allowing members of the public to meet and speak to Showpeople who have operated on the Whitesands for generations

Sat 29th March 1pm - 2:30pm FREE (Stove, High St – details here)
The Fair & The Town: A Workshop & Discussion with Mitch Miller, Artist and Showperson
These events are hosted by Fair Scotland and The Stove Network, Dumfries
– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – taken in Dumfries by @fairscotland

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a year ago

Join us for a programme of events this March as part of the 2025 Dumfries Spring! 🎡🌟

In partnership with @fairscotland, join us for a dynamic series of events, discussions, workshops, screenings, and exhibitions.

This programme has been designed to celebrate the rich heritage of Dumfries’ fairs, spark conversation, inspire creativity, and lay the groundwork for their future prosperity— ensuring they continue to thrive for generations to come.

Read more & book your place on our website - link in our bio! 🔗

‘We’d Stand on the Sands’
👉 Screening & Discussion on the History & Future of the Dumfries Fairs
📅 22nd March @ 10:30am - 12am
📍 RBC Film Theatre (@rbcfilmtheatre)

Reel To Real Presents: Showland
👉 Screening & Discussion about the world of Scotland's fairs and the Showpeople who make them happen.
📅 27th March @ 7pm - 8:30pm
📍 The Stove Cafe

Fairground Walkabout 2025
👉 Back by popular demand, join us for a unique walking tour through the March Fair.
📅 29th March @ 11am - 12:45pm
📍Starting at the Suspension Bridge, Dumfries

The Fair & The Town
👉 A Workshop & Discussion with Artist Mitch Miller
📅 29th March 1pm - 2:30pm
📍 The Stove Cafe (@thestovecafe)

Brought to you by Fair Scotland and Hear|Here by @fairscotland

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a year ago

📣👀SAVE THE DATE! Delighted to announce this film screening and conversation coming up Sat 22nd March in Dumfries.

🎬Join us for a series of short films on the history of Dumfries' fairs, and a conversation about their future – now threatened by the Flood Prevention Scheme on the Whitesands.

FREE – All Welcome!

🗣Special invite to all the Dumfries March Fair tenants! 🎠 Come along to see historical fairground footage, and learn more about future challenges to fairs on the Whitesands – hosted by Alex James Colquhoun, @dialectographer , @ruaribf, and @tsbeall .

👇🏾👇🏾👇🏾DETAILS👇🏾👇🏾👇🏾

“We’d stand on the ‘Sands”: Screening and Discussion on the History and Future of Dumfries’ Fairs
📆Sat 22nd March
⏰10:30am-12pm
📍Robert Burns Centre Film Theatre, DG2 7BE @Rober
🎟Free

Learn about the history of Dumfries’ Fairs and the Travelling Showpeople who create them. Many families have operated on the Whitesands for generations – hear their stories while watching a series of short films, including a new one by Ruari Barber-Fleming which documents a ‘Fairground Walkabout’. We’ll also screen historical shorts of Showman Albert Biddall’s cinematograph, snippets from old fairs across Dumfries and Galloway, and Showfamilies’ personal footage of past fairs during floods.

Screening followed by discussion on the history and future of Dumfries’ fairs, and the impact of proposed flood prevention plans on the Whitesands.

Hosted by Showpeople Alex James Colquhoun, Mitch Miller, filmmaker Ruari Barber-Fleming, and artist t s Beall. Presented by Fair Scotland in collaboration with @stovenetwork. Funded by The People’s Project.

Image courtesy Ruari Barber-Fleming
🙏🏾 pls share @visitdgofficial @visitdumfriesandgalloway @dgunlimited @dgartsfest

#Showpeople #Showmen #Liscencetothrill #Fairs #FunFairs #Fairgrounds #Fairground #Dumfries taken in RBC Film Theatre by @fairscotland

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a year ago

New Blog Post - A Fair Future 🎡

Since its launch in October last year, Hear|Here—a project in partnership with Fair Scotland (@fairscotland) that collaborates with Scotland’s travelling Showpeople—has been steadily gaining momentum.

This initiative, alongside collaborations with Fair Scotland and Dr. Mitch Miller’s Atchin Tans & Tobers project, forms part of a broader artistic exploration of Scotland’s Showpeople culture, including Miller’s deep-mapping practice known as dialectograms.

Read all about it in our latest blog post, link in our bio!

📸: @kirstinmcewanphotography by @fairscotland

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a year ago

Thanks to @bbcscotland News for highlighting our new initiative – the Red List of Endangered Scottish Fairs.

We launched this at the @European Showmen's Union ESU/UFE Congress, hosted in #Edinburgh last week – to highlight the international importance of Scotland's funfairs! At the top of the Red List are the fairs in #Dumfries, as they are under threat of removal due to planned flood prevention design.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c3d54j9e7yko
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#showpeople #funfairs #scotland #fairground #fairgrounds #scottishfunfairs
#Dumfries #RoodFair #Whitesands #flooding
Mitch Miller @dialectographer T.s. Beall @tsbeall Alex James Colquhoun by @fairscotland

32

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a year ago