AN exhibition of the history of Hampshire fairs is on show at Romsey Library.
The display, entitled the Showpeople of Hampshire, which includes stories about the lives of travelling showmen and women and their families, continues until next Thursday, March 12.
It includes photographs of fairground rides, living wagons, traditional engines from across the centuries to the present day, and recalls the history of fairs through the lives of travelling showpeople.
A spokesperson from Hampshire Records Office said: “Today’s showpeople are the heirs of the families who have run fairs across the country for hundreds of years. And yet they remain a hidden population, often confused with Gypsies and travellers, and there is little written history about them.
“In 2010 archives and local studies at the Hampshire Records Office secured funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund to record and conserve important aspects of Hampshire showpeople’s heritage. The project resulted in a book, an exhibition and a DVD.”
Hampshire Records Office has more than 2,000 digitalised photos, some dating back to 1860, of fairground rides and other memorabilia connected to the travelling showpeople.
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