Hornes Pleasure Fairs opened in Dundees Caird Park for the first of the 2 Dundee back end fairs. The fairs are a week earlier than normal due to Leuchars Airshow being cancelled this year. The 5 Hornes machines were joined by the usual tennets with the addition of Asa Pullars "Crazy Circus" Funhouse which was open for the first few days then pulled out to attend Kings Park. From here, the fair then will move to Riverside Park with virtually the same line up. Also opening at the same time, Trevor Smith presented a small fair at Coatbridge with the Lesees Dodgems being joined by Douglas Codonas Miami & Twist. The fair was slightly smaller than last year but the night of visiting there was a good number of familes out at the ground.

Moving to the middle of the month and M&D's 'Planet Fun' Theme Park opened on Stirlings Kings Park with a bigger fair than normal. New to the fair this year were M&D's Spiderman, John Wheatleys "Speed Buzz" and Henry Evans "Reflex". There were lengthy queues on the Friday night when I visited and the ground was packed with all the machines doing really well. A wristband was available again which included all the rides except the "Bomber" which was charging £4 with a wristband and £6 without. The fair was enclosed with the usual security fencing, walk through entrance and Police presence. Further west to Prestwick and Derek Codonas fair returned to Heathfield Road with a good line up of rides including Justin Codonas Waltzers, Joe Whites "Hellchaser" Ghost train, back on home ground after a summer in Ireland, Rodney Johnstones Skydiver & Coaster, the latter being open for the last time before moving down to England to be with new owners, Wesley Clarks Chair'O'Planes and both the Pinders Funhouses. Weather had said to be awful resulting in late openings at weekends and poor attendance but towards the last few days the weather seemed to get better.

At the same time as the last week of Prestwick, Trevor Smith moved from Coatbridge to Airdrie and just a short distance away, John Evans opened at Easterhouse. Both fairs well well presented with large machines down one side, juveniles down the centre and side attractions along the right hand side. Good selection of rides and juveniles at them both with no duplications. These fairs may not be the largest fairs but I think they are well worth visiting.

Finally towards the end of the month, Douglas Codona returned to Dumfries to present the Rood Fair which is much larger than the March fair. 11 machines spilt into three areas along the street which is laid out a bit like Kirkcaldy (but with only one side), a long line of attractions but the distance between the fair and main road is very minimal so space was at a premium for the public. The weather wasnt up to much on the Saturday, it did stay dry which meant the ground was quite busy. The rides seemed to be riding well but David Thomsons Superbob and Henry Evans Experience were going non stop while I was there. At the bottom end of the fair, in the Dock Park Car Park, Michael Hickeys Tagada looked to be getting a good share of people. In this area The 2 Pinders Funhouses were located but this time facing across from each other and not side by side as in many fairs this year.

Just a couple of ride changes in September, Michael Stirling has now been left with only his Miami as the Twist was sold to Henry Hill of England and Rodney Johnstones "Speedy Gonzales" Coaster made its last appearance in his ownership at Prestwick before going to Jimmy Stokes. Rodney has replaced the ride but we wont see it till next year as work is getting done on it in the winter months.

Just one other thing, updates have been few and far between in the last couple of weeks as I have been studying for my 1st exam in becoming a driving instructor which I sat on Thursday and passed 1st time - YIPEE! So exam over now I can get back to the updates which will be up to date by the weekend.