Dingles Fairground Museum Concludes Operations Permanently

The institution housing the national fairground collection is ceasing operations permanently this weekend. The Fairground Heritage Trust had previously declared in March that the Dingles Fairground Museum, situated in Lifton, near the Devon and Cornwall border, would cease activities during the October half-term period. According to Trustee Guy Belshaw, the decision to close was influenced by “a large number of factors,” and the Covid-19 pandemic proved “terrible” for the establishment. The assortment of functional fairground rides is slated for relocation to a new museum facility in Staffordshire. Mr. Belshaw stated: “The pandemic was terrible for us, we lost tens of thousands of pounds and the costs have just run away with us.” He added, “It’s also the fact that we’re in a very remote location here and it needs to be more accessible to people, really.” Brian Kneebone has dedicated 17 years as a volunteer at the museum. He commented: “It’s great that it’s been preserved and it’s good to think that now it’s closing here, it’s going to another park as a whole.” Among the more uncommon exhibits within the collection is the Shaw’s Moon-Rocket, a ride with a space theme that was conceived in Germany and subsequently constructed in the UK during the 1930s under a licensing agreement. Mr. Belshaw noted that “this is the only one in working condition that has survived.” Every ticket for the last operational days, Friday and Saturday, has already been purchased. For updates, follow BBC Cornwall on X, Facebook, and Instagram. Similarly, BBC Devon can be followed on X, Facebook, and Instagram. Story submissions can be sent to spotlight@bbc.co.uk. Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC disclaims responsibility for the material on external websites. Information regarding our policy on external links is available.