George Scarrott in his younger days
The Fun Fair at Wootton Bassett has been presented by Mr George Scarrott since the very first Wootton Bassett Carnival.
During the crucial first years, his advice and long standing experience as a travelling showman were of great assistance in making the Carnival the success it has become. It is now a regular event taking place at the same time each year and people have grown to look forward to Carnival time.
To ensure the continued success of this event a lot of hard work is required from those involved – the Carnival Committee, the Police, the Fire Brigade, the Town Traders, the Fun Fair, etc., but most of all from the local community of Wootton Bassett who offers support by attending and taking part as much as possible
Your support will be needed on the 26th April for the Choosing of the Carnival Queen, and again on Saturday 17th May, to line the streets on Procession Day!
For most of his life, Mr Scarrott has been committed to Entertainment and over the past 50 years he has played an active part in the history of Wootton Bassett.
He first came to Wootton Bassett in the early thirties with the family fair and decided to stay. Later in the thirties, he started helping to run his father’s cinema in the High Street, which is now the Butchers shop.
All through the dark war years, he operated the Fun Fair at the rear of the cinema. He then opened the Fair in the main High Street, between the Church and Town Hall, using Wood Street to park the old traction engines used for generating the chairoplanes, etc. The last time was on VJ Day. At this time, this was the only entertainment in Wootton Bassett.
In 1943 he moved from the High Street to Old Court and decided to stay there.
Once again for the Carnival Week, the Fair will be at the Fairfield, Limekiln, with all the attractions, and as usual, Mr Scarrott will be giving a free ride to school children in and around the villages of Wootton Bassett
This year, the Fun Fair will be open from Tuesday 13th May to Friday 16th May from 18:00 onwards, and from 14:00 onwards on Saturday 17th May, Procession Day.
The Wootton Bassett Carnival is a non-profit organisation and relies on charitable donations from local businesses and the public. The Carnival costs around £6,000 to fund each year, which covers entertainment, insurance, road closures, radios, advertising and printing. Bishopsgate were pleased to be able to support this long standing and local event and wish it every success.
