Fair 10 things you

Six prestigious national awards have been scooped by Erewash council for its management of parks and green spaces in the borough.

Five are Green Flag accolades for keeping local havens pristine.

The awards are presented by the Keep Britain Tidy campaign on behalf of the Department

All have been previous winners. The sixth award –a coveted Green Heritage Accreditation – went to Victoria Park. The honour is backed by Historic England and salutes efforts to maintain the historically significant elements of the park.

Erewash has 650 acres of parks, open spaces and nature reserves.

1. The fair is held on the first Thursday after the first Sunday after the 11th of October (although it unofficially starts on the Wednesday at 6pm).

2. There used to be TWO fairs until they were amalgamated in the 19th Century. The older of these - dating back seven centuries - was held on the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin of Our Lady in August.

3. Showman John Albert Proctor loved Ilkeston so much that in 1922 he became a town councillor and lived at Dragon House on Stanton Road.