NORTH TOWN FAIR

 Below is an account of the North Town Fair that used to take place during the Nineteenth Century

North Town Fair generally lasted four days.

 The very first day opened with the “Garlic Fair” held at five or six o’clock in the morning; then came the “Horse Fair” which lasted all that day and part of the next.

Then came the “Pleasure Fair,” where nearly all classes went and looked around and at which Gentlemen of the town did not think it beneath them to dance at the “George” Inn with daughters of tradesmen and mechanics.

The last day’s fair was generally wound up by jumping in sacks, rolling wheelbarrows blindfolded, grinning through a horse collar and trying to bite hot rolls and treacle, suspended by strings attached to a cross beam.  The biters with their arms tied behind them attempted to bite the treacled roll with their teeth, or opened their mouths wide enough to get the roll into them; in trying to do so, the roll would glide around their heads and faces besmeared with treacle.

Climbing greasy poles for legs of mutton was another amusement indulged in, and women running races from Love Lane to Cockpit for what in Queen Elizabeth’s days was called a “smock”.

Then came the donkey racing.  John Brewer, the drunken blacksmith, was the great promoter of these races, which created much fun and amusement.  The donkeys would start and run a short distance at a good speed, then stop suddenly, raise their hind quarters, and toss their riders over their heads.  The rider, who carried a bunch of carrots, tied on a stick and held a foot before his donkey’s eyes, was generally first at the winning post.

Single-stick or cudgel-playing was played in a recess near the old Yarde House, where also were generally pitched a gipsy encampment, peep shows, “The Pig Toby”, “The Pig-faced Lady”, “The Fat Boy” and “The Great Serpent from Java”.

These shows played together all the musical instruments they possessed, and, to drown all, a woman at one of them would clash the cymbals, producing such a babel of sounds as was never before heard since the creation.

I wish my readers to bear in mind that the road was several feet lower than at present, with a black, shallow and stagnant ditch overflowing a third of half of the road; they can then fancy what sort of a place North Town Fair must have been in wet weather.

Taken from the “Recollections of old Taunton” by Edward Goldsworthy

STOP PRESS

OUR FOUNDER 

I have recently found out that Edwin Goodman first practiced at Yarde House in 1883.  Indeed he is described as being “in practice before 1878” so this confirms that he was working as a dentist pre 1878. 

In a book by the late Christine Hillam entitled “Brass Plate and Barazen Impudence; Dental practices in the Provinces 1755 – 1855” she looked at local newspapers and directories outside London.  She found a James Goodwin in 1852 at East Reach, Taunton.  This must be our Founders Father.

 There was also a Samuel Goodman in Bath, confirming that the “Goodman Family” were indeed a dental family, well known in the West Country in those days for their “trade”.

 Edwin Goodman first appeared in the register in 1879 and gave his address as 10 East Street, Taunton.  In 1883 he moved to Yarde House and purchased the property in 1888, so this adds five more years of dentistry in our property making a total today of 125 years.  Edwin’s last appearance in the register is 1923 when two of his sons were continuing to provide the service. 

Thomas Goodman qualified in 1896 remaining at Yarde House until 1933 and William John Goodman qualified in 1903 but disappeared off the register in 1928.

 Prior to the 1921 Dental Act which made it unlawful to practice as a Dental Surgeon without qualification there were more unregistered dentists working than those registered.

 This confirms that indeed all surgeons at all times practicing from Yarde House have indeed been properly qualified and registered.

 I find this extremely reassuring and I do hope and trust you do as well!!

 Graham Catchpole

May 2008 

Some of the information contained above was supplied by the British Dental Museum.  Click here for their website.