Collection: Dingles Fairground Museum

Collection-level records:

• Collection history (Collection development policy)

  The collection reflects the human, social and technological history of travelling fairs and fairgrounds. The collection was begun in 1986, lead by Richard Ward and Geoff Weedon, authors of “Fairground Art” (published 1981). Items were initially acquired with no guidelines or controls other than availability of materials or resources until the first policy for the management of collections was adopted in 1994 under the guidance of Val Bott. Most material is from the period c1880 to the mid-1950s, during which there were significant developments in the transition from mechanical and steam-driven rides to those powered by diesel and electricity. The collection contains many items of national significance and is the only dedicated museum collection covering this subject.

  Source: Collection development policy

  Date: 2020

  Licence: CC BY-NC

• Collection overview (Collection development policy)

  Major Fairground Rides, including:

  • Edwards’ Golden Gallopers [N]
  • Edwards’ Brooklands Speedway (built 1938 by Orton & Spooner) [N]
  • Edwards’ Noah’s Ark (built 1934 by Orton & Spooner) [N]
  • Edwards’ Super Dodgems (built 1929 by Orton & Spooner) [N]
  • Edwards’ Supersonic Skid (built c1937 by R J Lakin & Co of Streatham) [N]
  • Joe Ling’s Moonrocket (built 1938 by R J Lakin & Co of Streatham) [N]
  • John Brett’s Ghost Train (built 1940s, decorated by Hall & Fowle) [N] (Loan item)
  • Rodeo Switchback (built 1880 by Savages of Kings Lynn) [N]
  • Joy Wheel (built c1912 by Savages of Kings Lynn) [N]
  • Handford model fairground
  • Sid Wright model fairground
  • Large collection of other models

  Smaller Rides & Side Shows, including:

  • Billy Wood’s boxing booth (built 1926) [N]
  • Edwin Lawrence’s Bioscope Show Wagon (built 1900 by Orton & Spooner of Burton on Trent) [N]
  • Chicken Joe’s hoopla stall (Loaned item)
  • Harrisons’ Ben Hur Spinner (built by R J Lakin & Co of Streatham)
  • Mrs Pagotto’s Panam stall (Loaned item)
  • Overboats built c1865
  • Arthur Swift’s children’s roundabout (built by Halstead of Sowerby Bridge)
  • Walter Shaw’s Happy Caterpillar (built by Maxwells of Musselburgh 1968) [N]
  • Mini Waltzer (built by Jacksons of Congleton)
  • Edward Percival’s Penny Arcade, built and decorated 1970s (Loaned item)
  • Large collection of slot machines and pinball machines

  Fairground Art, including:

  • Kimber’s Menagerie carved arch (1890s probably by Charles Sooner) [N]
  • Painted bioscope showfront banners (c1905 by Sconce of Kings Lynn) [N]
  • Panels from Hatwells’ Gallopers (decor by Henry Whiting) [N]
  • Ben Hur showfront for Clowes’ shooting gallery, later George Heath’s (built by R J Lakin & Co of Streatham, decorated by Edwin Hall) [N]
  • Carved animals and decorative panels by Andersons, Lines Bros, C J Spooner, Savages, etc. (most loaned items)
  • Examples of decoration by Edwin Hall (R J Lakin & Co), Orton & Spooner, Sid Farmer, Duffields of Colchester, Hall & Fowle, Fred Fowle, Edward Percival, Paul Wright, Tate Décor, etc (some loaned)
  • Racing car showfront from Crows’ Dodgems (built by R J Lakin & Co of Streatham, decorated by Edwin Hall) (Loaned item)
  • Benny Cubbins Ghost Train front (decorated by Fred Fowle and Roger Vinney 1970s)

  Fairground Organs & Music, including:

  • Gavioli fairground organ (Loaned item)
  • Verbeeck Fairground organ (from the Edwards Golden Gallopers)
  • Books of organ music

  Travel & Transport, including:

  • Charles Heal’s Scammell chain drive tractor (Loaned item)
  • Edwards’ trucks, incuding First World War FWD Lorry [N]
  • T Whitelegg’s Thornycroft Amazon (ex-RAF) Tractor (built 1940) (Loaned item)

  Living & Domestic, including:

  • Anderton & Rowland’s living wagon (built c1950 by Orton & Spooner) (Loaned item)
  • Charles Heal’s living wagon (built Orton & Spooner) (Loaned item)
  • W Noble’s living wagon (built by Southern & Co) (Loaned item)
  • 1900’s Brayshaw living wagon

  Prints, Postcards, Photographs & Documents, including:

  • Reg Smith’s photograph collection from 1920s onwards
  • Savage & Co archive of over 2,000 works drawings

  Source: Collection development policy

  Date: 2020

  Licence: CC BY-NC