Historic Castle Donington Wakes Fair introduces first SEND quiet hour

Castle Donington Wakes Fair is returning for its 748th year, and for the first time in its history, children and adults with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) will have a dedicated quiet hour.

The annual event, which takes place in the heart of the village, begins on Thursday, October 29, and continues until Saturday, October 31. The quiet hour will take place on Saturday between 2pm and 3pm.

Streets in the heart of the village will be packed with rides and stalls, but for one hour on Saturday, strobe lighting will be switched off, and music will be turned down, creating a more sensory-sensitive hour for visitors.

Cllr Leonora Cope, Amenities Chairperson at Castle Donington Parish Council, said: “This is a lovely opportunity for anybody who doesn’t enjoy strobe lighting and loud music to come along and enjoy a quiet hour at the fair. Everyone is welcome.”

The move follows the lead of Nottingham’s famous Goose Fair, another historic fair, which introduced a dedicated SEND event for the first time in 2024.

Michael Norwell, an employee at Castle Donington Parish Council, recognised the merit of the quiet hour and suggested the idea to councillors for the village’s annual Wakes.

He said: “Fairgrounds can be overwhelming for anybody, but especially for those with SEND, who may therefore avoid such situations. As an inclusive community, we strive to create events that everyone can enjoy, so when we heard about the idea of a quiet hour it was a suggestion that was welcomed by the council.”

With almost 750 years of tradition behind it, Castle Donington Wakes Fair will this year become more inclusive while continuing its reputation as a fun community event for all.

Cllr Cope added: “I understand that Goose Fair’s quiet event was extremely well received. It is such a great idea that we wanted to replicate it for anyone who wouldn’t normally go to the fair because they are not comfortable with the lights and sounds, or for people who simply prefer quieter, strobe-free situations.”

“The Fair attracts thousands of visitors over the three days. The quiet hour makes it an even more accessible and inclusive event for all the community to enjoy together.”

Wakes Fair will open at 6.00pm on Thursday, October 29 and run for three days until Saturday, October 31, closing at 10.00pm.

Opening times: Thursday, October 29, 6.00pm to 10.00pm; Friday, October 30, 6.00pm to 10.00pm and Saturday, October 31, 2.00pm to 10.00pm