Brenda Story comes from generations of Hull Fair people
It would be hard to have a closer connection to Hull Fair than that of Brenda Story. The fair ride operator, who is 80 today (Sunday, October 12) has attended the fair every year and was actually born on the first day of the fair in 1945.
Brenda said: “My mam said, ‘you couldn’t come the day before, you had to come on the main day we opened’,” explaining how the family had a caravan near the Drill Hall in Walton Street, where she arrived. Brenda said she had seen a lot of changes to the fair down the years but there were always lots of happy smiles around the rides.
Brenda is retired, her son running the rides now, but she is still there every year helping out – and to mark her birthday. “It’s the biggest travelling funfair in Europe. Hull Fair is a sight to see,” she said.
“I recommend that if you are going to come to the fair, to enjoy yourself, don’t come in the afternoon; come on a night when the lights are lit and the music’s playing. It’s got the atmosphere.”
For her milestone birthday – with the fair being closed on a Sunday, as per tradition – Brenda said she was going to go home in the morning and then return later to “probably go out for a drink”. She said: “I’m not stopping in on my 80th.
READ MORE: Hull Fair’s first Saturday ‘insane’ as showmen hail it one of the best nights ever
“I like to go out for a drink with my friends.” Brenda said the fair held a special place in her heart. “I love it,” she said. “I had four sisters – there are only two of us left – and I’ve been coming all my life and I hope to keep coming.”
Brenda’s birth coincided with the time the fair returned to the city after a hiatus during the Second World War. In more recent times, when it was the year of lockdown, Brenda still did not miss out.
She previously told Hull Live: “I’ve never missed one yet. When it were lockdown I said to me two boys, ‘I have never missed a birthday and it’s lockdown’.
“So they said we’ll take a cake and a bottle and stand near enough where you were born. So I never missed a birthday and that were my 75th birthday.”
Brenda said multiple generations of her family have worked at Hull Fair, including her parents and grandparents.
Save on rides at Hull Fair
Fairgoers can once again get money-off vouchers to save 50p on participating rides. Simply purchase your Hull Daily Mail up until Thursday, October 16 to find your page of vouchers each day.
Terms and Conditions apply: Vouchers are valid any day until 6.30pm (closed Sunday). Redeemable at participating rides only. One voucher per ride. Copies of print vouchers will not be accepted.