Fairground attractions may be kept under wraps

Terry Turbin, acting curator of the Fairground Museum collection, with two of the exhibits from the collection - which was due to be opened to the public in a purpose-built museum at Northampton - whose future is in jeopardy after a failed bid for lottery cash, writes Stephen Goodwin. While big museums and galleries were lapping up a pounds 137m pay-out last week, the founders of the Fairground Heritage Trust were contemplating the end of a dream and the break-up of a priceless collection of richly decorated roundabouts and shows. If the Trust cannot raise pounds 225,000 by the end of April, its 10-year drive for a National Fairground Museum will be over.

Photograph: Keith Dobney