Funfair family thank Thetford for support
A family who run a popular funfair which left Thetford at the weekend has thanked residents after receiving praise for its 'above and beyond' approach to covid secure measures.
L Gray and Sons FunFair was praised by members of the public and town resident Andrew Overman after he put a video up on social media showing its safety precautions including QR codes on each individual attraction, test and trace sign ups, one way systems on and off rides and thorough cleaning procedures.
Larry Gray Sr. said he remembered, as a boy, coming to the town during World War Two and the dodgems track was used as a dance floor for those going off to fight and the people of the town were very grateful.
He said: "Even before then we have always had a close connection and a good relationship with the town and in a situation like this now, with covid, they have supported us. So I would just like to thank them for that.”
"I feel you can never go above and beyond protecting people with what is going on at the moment, so I am happy that people have appreciated that and felt safe while they have been here."
The six generation fairground family has been operating since the 19th century and one of Larry's three sons, Larry Gray Jr, felt attractions like these in times like these are now more important than ever.
He said: "We are a part of communities, such as here in Thetford, and when we come to town, with all the flashing lights and signs, families and children see us, it lifts them, it lifts us and we all need that at the moment.
"People, wherever we have been, have been sceptical at first but once they have been in and seen measures are being taken seriously, word gets around and it grows from there."
Since the end of lockdown, Larry Jr said it has been all about building back confidence into people about going out and safely enjoying themselves with the sights, sounds and smell of the fair playing a big part in that.
He said: "We were one of the first fair families to cancel all our stops in March and once restrictions eased we were bombarded with requests to come to places again as they could see how safe we were making ourselves.
"We are fairground people and Norfolk people and just have a connection with certain places. Here in Thetford, they have always made us feel warm, made us feel at home, embraced us and we want to thank them all for coming to see us over the past two weeks, keep safe and we will see you in the future."
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