Carters Steam Fair (1977 - 2022)
Dates
- Existence: 1977 - 2022
Biography
Carters Steam Fair began in 1977 when show promoters John (1942–2000) and Anna Carter acquired a set of Jubilee Steam Gallopers.
The business model they use is based on rescuing and restoring historic English fairground rides and side stall dating between the 1870s and the 1960s and bringing them back to life. The family have focused not just on the mechanical workings of the machines but also on the traditional artwork, which makes their rides unique in the fairground. Over the years most of the artwork was done by Anna and later by her son Joby, who is a leading expert in the sector.
Since the inception of the business, their collection of rides and stalls has increased and today Carters Steam Fair travel the largest collection of vintage fairground rides in the world around their traditional grounds in London and the South East of England.
John and Anna had three children Joby, Amber and Rosie, all of whom followed their parents into the business. Additionally, Anna had two children from a previous marriage Zed and Seth and John had another two also from a previous relationship Miranda and Lincoln.
In 2000 when John died, his family and extended family continued to run the business. In more recent years Joby and his wife Georgina have taken over the managing of the fair from Anna.
Carters currently have their operating base and restoration workshops near White Waltham Airfield, in Berkshire.
Carters stopped travelling in 2022 and sold their equipment.
Found in 23 Collections and/or Records:
Photographs of Fairgrounds Taken by Bill Garbett and Other Contributors, 1937 - 1994
Black and white and colour photographs of fairgrounds, fairground rides, fairground organs and transport. Most images taken by Bill Garbett including Pat Collins firms' steam engines, Carter's Gallopers and Octopus, Arthur Stevens' Lighthouse Slip and scenes of fairs such as Nottingham Goose Fair.
Photographs of Fairgrounds Taken by Bill Garbett and Other Contributors, 1937 - 1994
Black and white and colour photographs of fairgrounds, fairground rides, fairground organs and transport. Most images taken by Bill Garbett including Pat Collins firms' steam engines, Carter's Gallopers and Octopus, Arthur Stevens' Lighthouse Slip and scenes of fairs such as Nottingham Goose Fair
Research on Carters' Gallopers, c1980 - 2000
Research on Carter’s gallopers for book, including some pencil sketches of rides, newspaper and magazine articles and photocopies as well as manuscripts.
Additional filters:
- Type
- Archival Object 19
- Collection 4
- Subject
- Amusement parks 1
- Amusement rides 20
- Ark 1
- Big wheel 1
- Caravans 3
- Dodgems 1
- Fairground art 19
- Fairs 22
- Gallopers 11
- Games 4
- Ghost train 1
- Musical performances 5
- Octopus 5
- Showman 4
- Slide 5
- Swing boats 3
- Transport 10
- Wall of death 2
- Waltzer 1 + ∧ less