Nottinghamshire is home to one of Europe’s biggest and oldest travelling fairs.

The Goose Fair’s been held in our city for over 700 years, for anyone who’s ever eaten mushy peas and mint sauce under the glaring lights of the waltzer it’s an experience never forgotten!

Newark is also home to one of the biggest travellers sites in the country.

With it’s central position, our county has long been a stopping point for travelling people.

Sarah Julian, Sense of Place producer explains why she wanted to make this programme:

"As part of the Sense of Place series, I interviewed lots of people about their attachments to their towns, their streets, their homes, so I was interested to know what is ‘Sense of Place’ for people who travel. Once I met the showmen, I realised what a colourful enchanting world the fairground is."

What does the annual fair mean to a place? James Mellors, Chairman of Derby, Notts and Lincs branch of the Showman’s Guild says there’s nothing like the magic created at fairground.

Listen to James Mellors talk about the magic of the fairground (28k).

In the programme we also hear from Ron Shepherd, a man who went away with the fair to work on a coconut shy at the age of 15. He loved the lifestyle:

"It was a life like no other, I was so happy, at the end of my time on the fair, I could jump on and off the Noah’s Ark as it was going full speed and make the girls scream."

Ron Shepherd, went away with the fair at the age of 15. Hear his story (28k).

Nottinghamshire has also been a traditional stopping point for travelling people, and now houses around 300 travelling families at Tolney Lane in Newark.

Sarah Julian, Sense of Place producer says her visit to Tolney lane left a lasting impression:

"I didn’t really know what to expect from a travellers site, but I certainly didn’t expect to be made so welcome. I was invited into the homes of a young mum who’s travelled all her life and an 80 year old Romany who told me fascinating stories about travelling ways."

Vicky lives at the site having married a traveller. She says that now Tolney Lane is home.

Listen to Vicky talk about her home (28k).

For the travellers at Newark, it seems to be culture and heritage which is really important, maybe more so than ‘place. Sarah says she learnt a lot:

"I was amazed to learn about the strict rules for youngsters, particularly young girls, I didn’t realise travellers’ culture was so different. And as for all the stereotypes of gypsies and travellers, I hope the programme will go some way to overturning them. I’ve certainly never seen a cleaner living room!"

Millie, a young mum who lives at Tolney Lane when she’s not travelling, explains how travelling ways are different.

Listen to Millie explain how travelling ways are different (28k).

Both the travelling community and the showmen talk about the discrimination and prejudice they face. For both communities, whatever other people think, it seems to be a life they love and are proud of.

Sarah Julian says:

"I hope the programme will be an insight into a world not many of us really understand."

Listen to the audio documentary >>>