|
Carters Steam Fair is a travelling vintage fair. Founded in 1976 by John Carter (1942-2000), this family business is now managed by the second generation of Carters. The fair is so breathtaking in its retro style and beautiful flamboyance that it has been featured in many films, television series and adverts over the years including from 28 Days Later, Made in Chelsea and the Oscar winning The Theory of Everything. Carters operate and maintain a large collection of vintage rides and sidestalls, ranging in date from 1895 to the 1960s, and every season they’re travelled with vintage heavy lorries and traditional showman’s living wagons. All the rides are subject to rigorous safety checks and are fully equipped for a 21st-century audience. The fair offers a remarkable opportunity to enjoy the historic equipment in the way it was intended, surrounded by stunning examples of original fairground art. A trip to Carters promises an unforgettable day out for all the family. Their operating base and restoration workshops are immediately adjacent to White Waltham Airfield, near Maidenhead, in Berkshire. == The History of Carters == Carters Steam Fair began in 1977 when John and Anna Carter first bought theSteam Gallopers that Carters Steam Fair runs to this day. Before then, they had run a business promoting vintage car shows, steam rallies, wartime events and collectors' bazaars throughout the south of England, and they had often hired vintage attractions from other people to entertain the public. They also had a large personal collection of interesting things, from 78s to slot machines, and had an interest in vintage vehicles and equipment. When John heard about the Gallopers coming up for sale, he felt it would be perfect to be able to operate it themselves and not be dependent on other people. It was in a pretty dilapidated state, and absorbed a huge amount of time and money to get it up to scratch. In addition to their own events, John and Anna travelled the Gallopers with other steam rallies and fairs, and painted and decorated it in between grounds. John soon decided that it would be more profitable to run a couple of rides, and so the Chair-o-Plane was bought and travelled with the Gallopers, and a few side stalls, which they restored and maintained over the winter at home. Set up in the front garden of their rented farmhouse, the rounding boards of the Gallopers only just missed the gutters as it turned, and their landlord soon got fed up of their eccentric antics and asked them to leave. By then their family was growing fast, and they were living in a couple of showman's wagons and travelling the rides. Soon the Steam Yachts came up for sale, and they did all they could to try and raise the money to buy them and restore them – embarking on another enormous labour of love which would make most people go pale at the thought. In 1999 a new yard was found and purchased, just before John was diagnosed with Hodgkins Lymphoma. The shock to the family was immense as his health deteriorated suddenly and in 2000, just as a living cabin was being set up at the Yard to make life more comfortable for him, he sadly died. His enthusiasm and vision had been a guiding force for the Fair, along with Anna's support and skill, and their children had inherited a love for the Fair and for what it stood for. After a very difficult few months, it was decided to get the Fair back out on the road and continue what John had started. The Fair has since gone from strength to strength, with Anna, Seth, Joby and Rosie all personally involved, and with many family friends and supporters working hard to keep it on the road. John would be very proud of what they have achieved – Carters Steam Fair is now not only the premier vintage travelling funfair, but it is also the custodian of a great deal of beautiful rides that would otherwise have been lost, and a highly skilled restoration company helping other people to save items of Britain's heritage. ==Rides and Attractions== Carter's Steam Fair is a travelling collection of rare working funfair rides, including Steam Gallopers, Steam Yachts, Divebomber, Chair-o-plane, Dodgems, Skid, Octopus and Ark. 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Carter's Steam Fair」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
|