Former owner of famous cock-on-a-stick stall dies

The man who used to own the legendary cock-on-a-stick stall at Nottingham's Goose Fair has died.

Ray Brooks, who worked at the stall for more than 70 years, died aged 95 at the Queen's Medical Centre in Nottingham on Wednesday after a fall at home.

His son Robin Brooks said he was happy to know his father's legacy would continue through the stall, which has been at the Goose Fair for more than 100 years.

He said the stall, which sells the cockerel-shaped treats, had given him and his father "lots of fun and lots of laughs".

Robin said his father was "strong and sprightly" but suffered a fall in his garden before taking a turn for the worse while in hospital.

"It was all a bit of a shock really," he said. "But, he led a good, long life."

He said memories of the fair would remind him of his father's legacy.

"We used to make thousands of cockerels in the old days because there were four stalls on the fair, which eventually went down to just the one.

"From memory, they were six pence for a small one, a shilling for a big one and two and a half shillings for a giant one.

"We had lots of fun and lots of laughs at the fair.

"I've got some great memories of working on the fair in my early days."

Ray retired from running the stall in 2023, selling it to fair worker Tom Smith.

In a post on the stall's social media, Ray was described as a "legend".

"He was a father, grandfather, Nottingham legend and a friend to all, whether you knew him for a little or a long time," the post said.

"Our hearts go out to his family at this difficult time.

"We are so glad to have known him and are truly thankful to carry on his legacy.

"He will be greatly missed."

Listen to BBC Radio Nottingham on Sounds and follow BBC Nottingham on Facebook, on X, or on Instagram. Send your story ideas to eastmidsnews@bbc.co.uk or via WhatsApp on 0808 100 2210.