Nostalgia: Roll up, roll up for all the fun of the Lindfield Fair

Some people find clowns funny while others think they are extremely creepy.
Lindfield Village Fair 1980 SUS-150309-094759001Lindfield Village Fair 1980 SUS-150309-094759001
Lindfield Village Fair 1980 SUS-150309-094759001

For five-year-old Nicola Spencer, though, the clown cuddling her at the Lindfield Village Fair in 1980 was the best man in the world – her dad.

These pictures were taken from the Mid Sussex Times archive from the year when British Steel workers went on strike, the first episode of Yes Minister was aired and Alton Towers opened. Not that anyone could afford to go, as inflation hit an unbelievable 21.8 per cent.

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Maurice and Nicola were pictured just before boarding Rupert Bear’s Express – the float which won the non-trade section of the procession.

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Lindfield Village Fair 1980 SUS-150309-094810001

There was an old world feel to the float which won the trade section – but the article did not say which company had created it. We do know the names of the group pictured in their turn of the 20th century finery. They were, from left: Pippa Day, Michael Youlton, Lorna Day, Rick Colley and Louisa Grundon.

As well as the floats, a lot of people dressed up to walk with the procession – including a diminutive Batman and Robin.

Leading everyone through the streets of Lindfield was the Eastbourne Youth Marching Band.

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Did you take part in the procession? Does anyone know which company entered the winning float?

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Lindfield Village Fair 1980 SUS-150309-094748001

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