His parents and grandparents before him were showmen. So it was natural that, aged 10, Billy Whitelegg learned how to fire a .22 rifle using live ammunition on his parent’s fairground shooting gallery.
Marlborough’s twice annual Mop Fairs became one of his favourite places as, over the years, he rose to be top gun of the of the Showman’s Guild, chief steward of the Marlborough event and national president of the organisation.
And yesterday (Wednesday), Billy, now 83, recalled those years roaming the towns of the West Country and beyond bringing the fun of the fair to families as Marlborough paid tribute to him.
A plaque in his honour, originally presented to him by Marlborough’s mayor, Edwina Fogg, at a Showman’s Guild lunch in February, was unveiled on the wall of Marlborough’s Conservative Club.
It has been a warm and welcome place for Billy to operate from during his visits to Marlborough, fellow showmen describing it as his office, the more so as he could look out of the window to keep a watchful eye on the family shooting gallery and all the fairground machines.
“It’s been a good life,” Billy, who lives with his wife Louise in Devizes, told Marlborough News Online. “I’ve enjoyed it. It’s been hard work, though we were brought up to get used to that.
“Louise and I consider Marlborough our second home. We love Marlborough and love coming here for the Marlborough Mops. I am the chief steward and everyone looks to me and my committee of good young showmen to keep it running.”
The Mop Fairs, an ancient tradition dating back to hiring fairs for indentured servants and labourers, were run by the local council until they were taken over by the Showman’s Guild in 1951, Billy being a steward from the start.
The plaque in his honour, which recognises his commitment to local charities, was unveiled from behind a huge Union Jack by Marlborough’s mayoral consort Nick Fogg.
He is himself twice Mayor of Marlborough and a honorary member of the Showman’s Guild, whose tie he wore for the occasion.
Members of Billy’s extended family stood in the bitter weather to watch the ceremony and to heard Councillor Fogg pay tribute to Billy.
“Billy has been the town’s ‘Mopmaster’ for many years, organising the ‘ground’ where his fellow showmen pitch their attractions,” he told Marlborough News Online. “We are proud to be associated with this honour to him.
“And it is a great honour for Marlborough too because Billy is such a wonderful friend to the town, organiser of the Mop fairs, which are always conducted immaculately and in raising funds for local charities.
“Unveiling the plaque to him is a significant moment because Billy is such a wonderful asset to Marlborough.”
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