There were smiles all round and a warm welcome for The Hoppings on Friday as the travelling fair made its long-awaited return to Newcastle for the first time since the pandemic.
After days of mounting excitement as the rides, sideshows and other attractions took shape on the Town Moor, families proved keen to make the most of its opening day - and what turned out to be some decent summer weather. Some might have briefly sensed a drop of rain in the air but this was fleeting and there was nothing to spoil the welcome-back atmosphere.
The Lord Mayor of Newcastle Coun Karen Robinson arrived early afternoon for the official launch, and in her speech she said. "It's so fantastic that The Hoppings has returned for the first time since 2019 and I'm delighted to be here today to officially open the 2022 Hoppings, now in its 140th year." She added that the event is part of our local heritage and a tradition which changes little in our fast-moving world. "It just gets bigger and better," she said.
