They usually have a funfair though , isn't it called a Mop. These Mop/fairs were new to me when I first moved this way. I wonder how fairs were given that name?

I've driven and walked past the wheel several times, at different times on different days. Hardly anyone seems to be using it.

A bit of information for you, Finebyme:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fair

And a definition from the Online Etymology Dictionary:

fair (n.) Look up fair at Dictionary.com
"a stated market in a town or city; a regular meeting to buy, sell, or trade," early 14c., from Anglo-French feyre (late 13c.), from Old French feire, faire "fair, market; feast day," from Vulgar Latin *feria "holiday, market fair," from Latin feriae "religious festivals, holidays," related to festus "solemn, festive, joyous" (see feast (n.)).

Thanks Lex, but I was wondering how these fairs became to be known as 'Mops'. Is it a Warwickshire thing?

Here you go Finebyme https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hiring_and_mop_fairs

Thanks Rebbonk, that is fascinating, now I know the origins of the 'Mop' fairs.
I never think of looking up Wiki.

The wheel's packing up early: http://www.stratford-herald.com/76157-stratfords-big-wheel-stops-turning.html

I'm not surprised - no-one ever seemed to use it, the company must have made a huge loss. Good riddance to the damn thing!

It sounds like the wheel wasn't a great success: the financial return was summed up as “all right to profitable – at times.”

http://www.stratford-herald.com/76697-big-wheel-money-spinner-stratford.html

If it was making money it'd still be there.

I walked past the wheel several times when it was there, and the people manning it looked bored out of their heads.

The promise of a fat wedge of cash will bring the wheel back. What a surprise: http://www.stratford-herald.com/79734-big-wheel-set-return.html

Deleted as I might well be on the wrong track.

Stratford's got the wheel for another 3 years. The new operators obviously offered more money than the last lot: https://stratfordobserver.co.uk/news/observation-wheel-looks-set-to-roll-back-into-town/

I'm so glad I don't live in the town any more.

Someone told me today that the new wheel looked like Blackpool Illuminations. They were spot on: https://stratfordobserver.co.uk/news/wheels-dazzling-return-divides-opinion/

I really feel that it cheapens the place.

It certainly does that, but who really cares as long as the council gets a big payoff.