Stratford Mop Fair

I experienced my first Mop Fair today.

There I stood, agape, in Stratford. Home normally to old picturesque buildings and cultural icons, the streets were transformed into a fluorescent, trashy fairground.

Mop Fairs used to be the place for servants to “advertise” and secure employment. Somewhere along the centuries, it became a fun fair. Fun? What fun?

What is fun about overpriced games where the only prize is stuffed tigers? Or burgers so greasy you could use the oil as hair gel for years?

What are the English thinking? In Australia we have large spaces for such things, and you can bypass them easily. Here, you can’t escape. It was old meets new in a horrible clash.