Mauchline's Holy Fair will host wall of death

Feb 6 2009 by Edwin Lawrence

WE’LL never know what Burns would make of it.

But he’d probably be fascinated with a death-defying fairground attraction.

And the legendary Wall of Death is coming to this year’s Holy Fair at Mauchline.

Burns certainly enjoyed the hubbub and excitement of fairs in his own time.

And members of Mauchline Burns Club are confident the Wall of Death will be a winner in 2009.

The attraction came to Edinburgh this winter – the first time one has been in Scotland for 30 years.

Mauchline club members Andy Bell and Jim Davidson were impressed with what they saw.

And the club backed their judgement by booking Messhams’ Wall of Death.

It’s a family business for the Messhams, who have specialised in the attraction for 80 years.

And they will travel north from Brighton for the Holy Fair, which is on Saturday, May 23.

Messhams’ Wall of Death has a circular wall of Oregon pine, a variety of Douglas fir.

Fourth generation Jake, 18, and Junior, 16, Messham are the current riders.

They are mounted on classic Indian 600cc machines.

And when they hit top speed on the wall, it really is an amazing sight for spectators at the show.

The Wall of Death originates from a motordrome attraction at the Coney Island amusement park in New York, in the early 1900s.

The motordrome was developed for travelling fairs, and was initially called a silodrome, until a clever showman dubbed it Wall of Death.

The first one in the UK was at Southend in 1929, but by that time there were around 100 travelling round the USA.

Bikes start at the bottom of the drum, and drive up a ramp to gain enough speed to allow them to drive horizontally.

Messhams’ Wall of Death will be sited in the Loudoun Street car park when it comes to Mauchline.

The Red Hot Chilli Pipers have been booked for musical entertainment at this year’s Holy Fair.

And Mauchline Burns Club members are still hopeful Bob Dylan might reply to their invitation and put in an appearance.