Tributes paid to much-loved former Wakefield fairground operator Sproggy

Tributes have been paid to a 'real character' from Wakefield's former funfair, who has passed away at the age of 79.
Tributes have been paid to a 'real character' from Wakefield's former funfair, who has passed away at the age of 79. Barry Sprurr, known as Sproggy, is pictured with his 'surrogate family members' Austin and Ben Riley.Tributes have been paid to a 'real character' from Wakefield's former funfair, who has passed away at the age of 79. Barry Sprurr, known as Sproggy, is pictured with his 'surrogate family members' Austin and Ben Riley.
Tributes have been paid to a 'real character' from Wakefield's former funfair, who has passed away at the age of 79. Barry Sprurr, known as Sproggy, is pictured with his 'surrogate family members' Austin and Ben Riley.

Barry Spurr, better known as 'Sproggy', spent more than 55 years working on the city's Noah's Ark fairground ride behind the former market, serving tens of thousands of customers and spanning several generations of owners.

Sproggy began working on the ride, which was one of just a few in the country, when he was just 12 years old.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Over the next five decades, he became a local celebrity, known by all who visited the fairground, and travelled around the country to work on rides and fairs.

Barry Spurr, better known as 'Sproggy', spent more than 55 years working on the city's Noah's Ark fairground ride behind the former market. Pictured are Sproggy, Austin and staff at the former site in 2008.Barry Spurr, better known as 'Sproggy', spent more than 55 years working on the city's Noah's Ark fairground ride behind the former market. Pictured are Sproggy, Austin and staff at the former site in 2008.
Barry Spurr, better known as 'Sproggy', spent more than 55 years working on the city's Noah's Ark fairground ride behind the former market. Pictured are Sproggy, Austin and staff at the former site in 2008.

Austin Riley, who met Sproggy when he began working on the ride as a teenager, said: "[The ride] was like a social gathering place where people used to go on a Saturday. Everybody knows Sproggy, he has been so kind to everybody.

"Noah's Ark was his life, everybody loved him. He was a character.

"He didn't have much family, so me, my daughter and my son made him ours. He had 33 Christmas dinners with us.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

"I'm sure people will remember him and their parents will too.

"I got to know him when I was 14 and I joined and worked for Anthony Shaw. We struck an unbelievable friendship up and it's grown into a lovely family.

"He travelled all over the country with the Noah's Ark. He's been everywhere."

Sproggy retired from the ride around 13 years ago, after his health began to deteriorate.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

He suffered a number of ailments in his later years, and passed away after a short battle with pneumonia last month.

But Austin said he had nothing but good memories of his surrogate family member, and thanked all those who had contributed to Sproggy's funeral fund, including his former boss Anthony Shaw, who inherited the Noah's Ark ride from his father.

Austin said: "He just loved the Shaw family because they treated him with so much respect.

"They did everything and in return he gave them his loyalty for all those years.

"I've only got praise for Sproggy and I'm sure everyone else will too."

Sproggy's funeral will be held at St Michael's Church, Wakefield, on Monday afternoon.

Related topics: