Coconut shy, Mitcham Fair

Coconut shy, Mitcham Fair

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Area Mitcham
Copyright 1 London Borough of Merton
Picture Reference Mit_​TomFrancis_​Ln125
Original Format Photo
Photographer / Origin of Photo Tom Francis
Notes / History Uttering the “Mitcham Whisper” Mitcham Fair, c.1890

Mitcham fair traditionally featured a large number of coconut shies. In order to beat the competition and attract customers over the noise of the crowds, stallholders developed a series of raucous trading cries, christened the “Mitcham Whisper.” A popular example was “Roll, bowl or pitch! Here y’are, three balls a penny! You knock em’ down, we pick ‘em up".

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