Unbelievable! We have just returned from a stroll through St Giles’ Fair and I am left thinking ‘did I really have that conversation or not!’ Our daughter, who is now in her 30s and has her own little girl, was saying what a shame the stalls don’t sell those lovely fairy dolls anymore.

They are pink, yellow and white, sometimes a mix of all three with layers of netting and lace.

Some so big we would hold them by the legs, others small enough to bounce on lengths of elastic from a stick with Cindy or Barbie look-alike faces.

These would be our children’s highlight of their trip to the September fair, as it always was for us.

I chose my lady carefully and asked one of the gypsy women around my own age, why is it that they don’t sell them anymore.

The reply was: “elf ‘n’ safety luv, elf ‘n’ safety, they stopped em.”

Well, I couldn’t believe my ears as I look around at the chilling rides soaring overhead, one slip or fault and we would be surrounded in bodies yet they won’t allow fairy dolls.

Whatever next I ask, whatever next?

WENDY BUCKINGHAM

Oliver Road

Cowley

Oxford