Dates

• Existence: Established 1850

Biography

The Manning family was first established in the British fairground scene in 1850 by Samuel Manning and his wife Eliza, who travelled a peep show. Eliza played a key role in the business attracting customers to the show and narrating the scenes.

In the early days, the Mannings started traveling around Hertfordshire, regularly opening at Hoddesdon Fair in the borough of Broxbourne.

Samuel and Eliza’s children continued the family fairground business. The first large ride to be added to the Manning fairground was a large horse drawn roundabout bought by their son George (b.1851) in 1892. The addition of this ride was an indication of the prosperity the family will enjoy in the fairground business for many generations to come, embracing change and technological advancement.

The family business continued to expand during the industrial revolution adopting all the technological innovations available to the fairground showmen and women. As it is custom in the sector, the Manning family continued embracing new fashions and technologies through the twentieth century, which allowed for the addition of faster, more sophisticated rides and entertainments to the business. In recent years more energy efficient rides that match the sustainability aims of society at large are being introduced, together with visual stimulations that continue to enhance the visitor’s experience.

Manning Carnival Fun Fairs expanded their fairs from Hertfordshire to London, where since 1999 Joseph Manning, has presented a New Year’s Eve funfair and in 1999 and 2000 ran the prestigious fair on the Queen’s Front Lawn. Between 2005 and 2006 he also presented a fair in Marble Arch and he provides a number of rides for the annual Winter Wonderland at Hyde Park. Mannings also present rides regularly at other events around the city including the Mayor of London’s Rise Festival in Finsbury Park, the June Event in Tottenham, the Mayor of Newham’s Town Show in East London and the traditional annual family fairs. They also continue presenting fairs at St Albans and Colchester among other locations and serve Old MacDonald’s Country Fayre and international events in Europe, USA, the Middle East and Australia.

Manning's Organisation are also a worldwide importers and exporters of fairground rides and equipment, trading through the sister company Ridetraders.com, and provide amusements as media props for hire through Funfair-props.co.uk, primarily for use in TV, film and advertising.

Found in 4 Collections and/or Records: