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Peter Wellen Collection

 Fonds
Reference code: NFA0096

Scope and Contents

The collection contains black and white and colour prints of fairground rides and transport, mainly of British southern counties fairs and rallies in the 1960s. There are also some American amusement park images, manuscripts for the first 6 issues of 'Century of Tobers' (Fairground Association of Great Britain) magazine, a small selection of calendars produced by Carters funfair and commercially produced DVDs on the fairground and preservation movement.

Dates

  • Creation: c1967 - 2012

Creator

Conditions Governing Access

Items are available to view by appointment in the NFCA reading room. Film viewing equipment must be booked prior to visit

Conditions Governing Use

Copies may be supplied or produced at the discretion of National Fairground and Circus Archive, subject to copyright law and condition of the material

Biographical / Historical

Peter Wellen was a fairground enthusiast who photographed rides and transport around the British southern counties.

Peter was born in Maidstone, Kent, 26th April 1932. His early childhood was marked by the Second World War, experience which he reflected upon in later years on an article for the Fairground Mercury.

Once he finished grammar school he qualified as an Electronic Engineer and shortly after he completed his National Service. On his return to civil life he worked for General Electric Company on many projects for the Ministry of Defence including military planes and weapons, with most of this work being covered by the official secrets act.

In 1966 Peter moved to Silchester in Berkshire, relocating to be the General Manager at Spembly Electronics in Andover, he also worked for Plessey Electronics in Maidenhead and finally for ICL until his retirement.

Peter married Stella in July 1957 and had a daughter, Ruth and a granddaughter, Becky.

Aside the fairgrounds, Peter had many other interests such as collecting old fashioned wireless equipment, science fiction, amateur dramatics and anything to do with the theatre and he was on the board of Trustees for The Haymarket Theatre in Basingstoke. Additionally, he wrote many play scripts and contributed articles to several magazines.

Peter died on 29 November 2011, age 79.

Extent

3 Box(es) (250 images, manuscripts, 6 calendars and 43 DVDs)

Language of Materials

English

Related Materials

Dick Price Collection and Paul Angel Collection

Status
Completed
Author
Created by Ian Trowell and Jane Donaldson, updated by Arantza Barrutia on Finding Aid Date field date
Date
10 April 2014
Description rules
International Standard for Archival Description - General
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin

Repository Details

Part of the National Fairground and Circus Archive Repository

Contact:
The University of Sheffield
Western Bank
Sheffield South Yorkshire S10 2TN United Kingdom
0114 222 7231