Talk:Meadow Park, Dumbarton

Not just a football ground?

Hi All, In doing my family genealogy, I discovered that a relative was killed at Meadow Park, Dumbarton in 1916. His occupation at the time of his death is noted as "Travelling Showman's Assistant". Prior to that, in 1915 at the time of his marriage, he was a "Shipyard Labourer", but in the 1911 Census he is living as a Boarder in Falkirk, Stirlingshire with 8 other gentlemen, ranging in age from 19-40 originally from various places (England, Scotland, & Ireland); they are all listed as Showman, Travelling Shows. So I interpret my relative's occupation as primarily being a Travelling Showman. The Register of Corrected Entries for his death states,"About 8.40 p.m. on 19th August 1916 At Showground Meadow Park Dumbarton; Injuries sustained by falling in front of a switchback gondola and being carried a distance of thirty yards". So there was a switchback gondola at Meadow Park in August 1916. This implies to me that the Park was at least partly a fairgrounds/amusement park besides being used for football. Was it primarily a fairgrounds or amusement park? Was it primarily a football park? Was it seasonally one & seasonally the other? I've Googled trying to find out more info. on the non-football uses of the Park, to no avail. I have an interest in early travelling entertainment troupes, esp. in individuals from those that became involved in vaudeville or early cinema. If anyone finds out additional info. on the Park other than its use as a football ground, the article should be revised accordingly. Cheers. SaturnCat (talk) 21:04, 30 April 2021 (UTC)

From the info you've given, it sounds to me like this was a travelling fairground which was temporarily set up at the football ground. Number 57 12:40, 2 May 2021 (UTC)