Tag: Saturday 29 May

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PICTURE GALLERY: Erdington locals celebrate the return of Robert Wilkinson’s Family Funfair to Pype Hayes Park

Words by Liam Smith / Pics by Hannah White

Beautiful weather over the recent half term holiday saw families flock to Robert Wilkinson’s Family Funfair at Pype Hayes park.

Rides, games, prizes and food were in abundance, with the gradual easing of lockdown restrictions meaning the family favourite attraction could return to the park for the first time since 2019.

Erdington Local paid a visit to soak up the atmosphere. Whilst resisting the urge to have a go on the waltzers and dodgems, we spoke to the local residents and families who had also paid a visit.

Courtney, mother of two, told Erdington Local: “It’s lovely, it’s been very good. It’s good to finally get a good day out, it’s been horrible being stuck inside for a year so it’s nice to get out and have something for the kids to do.”

We also spoke to Lee, a staff member running one of the games at the fair. He said: “It’s brilliant to be back. It’s nice to see people out enjoying themselves again.

“We’ve all come out of lockdown and people are wanting to get out and spend their money, which is good for the fair and the community.”

Other parents we spoke to shared the sentiment, with some saying they had been “desperate to get out and do something… the kids have been looking forward to it for weeks now.

“It makes a nice change from only being able to go to school then being stuck in the house all the time.”

Louise, 25, from Pype Hayes, added: “I used to come here all of the time as a child, so for me it’s great to see it back with all of the old favourite rides here. It’s very nostalgic walking through the fair seeing kids running around having fun like we used to.

“I can’t imagine how exciting it must be especially for the younger kids who this could be their first time here. It’s nice to see smiles on everyone’s faces.”

The fair’s return was overall hugely welcomed in the area, with the organisers staying for a week longer than originanlly planned.

Robert Wilkinson’s Family Funfair has been a longstanding favourite amongst Brummies, popping up in parks across the city for the past 30 years.

Pype Hayes Park is a regular site for the family focused attraction with plans already being made to welcome back the funfair.

PICTURE GALLERY: Robert Wikinson’s Family Funfair at Pype Hayes Park – by Hannah White

For more on Robert Wilkinson’s Family Funfair at Pype Hayes Park, or to watch out for further events across the city, visit www.facebook.com/Robert-Wilkinsons-Family-Funfair-Birmingham

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NEWS: Robert Wilkinson’s Family Funfair returns to Pype Hayes Park for first event since 2019

Words by Ed King & Liam Smith / Pics by Ed King

Robert Wilkinson’s Family Funfair comes back to Pype Hayes Park this week, opening its gates for the first time since the coronavirus pandemic and national lockdowns.

Running from Saturday 29 May to Sunday 6 June, the funfair is open to families from 12noon until 7:30pm everyday – with classic rides for both children and adults, alongside carnival stalls and refreshments.

Following the announcement of the event’s return via social media, hundreds of local residents took to the funfair’s Facebook page – many looking forward to the event after widespread closures and cancellations.

Michaela Aichaoui said: “Excellent news, perfect timing for my daughter’s birthday week.”

Adam Edwards added: “I’m heading down to the fair on Saturday, might even see some old faces from back in the day?”

Another local mum, Raychel Hetherington, said: “We’re coming my special needs lad loves how u all treat him here.”

Hosting events across Birmingham for over 30 years, Robert Wilkinson’s Family Funfair has been a regular fixture on the city’s cultural calendar – operating from large Council owned parks such as Pype Hayes, Small Heath, Cannon Hill, and Acocks Green.

But since the pandemic all events were put on hold, with Pype Hayes Park the first place to welcome back the Family Funfair since the Government began easing restrictions – returning to the site where the event was last held in 2019.

Speaking directly to Erdington Local, Pype Hayes resident Lailla Silini said: “A fair at Pype Hayes park has been a welcomed event since I was very little girl and still brings a day of enjoyment for many families.

“An affordable day out compared to themed parks and I really hope the weather holds out for them to get some money into their pockets.”

Ruth White added: “It’s nice to see some normality again, something for the kids in the area to look forward to. I hope this is the first of many events in Pype Hayes/Erdington this summer.”

But coronavirus was not the only challenge for the team behind the Family Funfair, as a week of torrential rain and sudden downpours had organisers working around the clock to ensure the event was operational in time.

Thankfully as the half term holiday week approached the bad weather eased up, allowing the crew to complete rigorous checks across the site and open as planned.

Robert Wilkinson, founder and operator of Robert Wilkinson’s Family Funfair, told Erdington Local:

“The funfair has been out of action for 18 months and this is the first event we’ve been able to put on since the pandemic hit – we’re excited to be coming back to Pype Hayes, bringing the families of Erdington a safe and fun event that they can enjoy together.

“The past year has been hard, people have lost jobs and loved ones, and we’re operating under Covid safe conditions to make sure safety is our top priority.

“People deserve a chance to smile and have fun as a family and that’s also what we’re here to do. So come down and enjoy yourselves; we’d be thrilled to see you in Pype Hayes Park this half term holiday week.”

For more on Robert Wilkinson’s Family Funfair at Pype Hayes Park, or to watch out for further events across the city, visit www.facebook.com/Robert-Wilkinsons-Family-Funfair-Birmingham-385221918652307