Today at the fair emancipation is a matter of course. Fairground companies are real family businesses. Men and women, boys and girls work together.
There were always showmen who travelled alone. Society often had a very ambivalent attitude towards them. They brought both novelty and suspicion. Many showmen travelled with their families and everyone was involved as a matter of course. During the 19th century entertainment became big business. Fairground showmen and thier families became more and better organised. The Women were very important often running the shows and taking care of the finances. In general mothers, fathers, brothers and sisters, uncles and aunts, all worked together in the same booth. On the other hand however the families did not play a conventional part in regular society. As a group, showmen were in an isolated position. Most people considered settled property as the main standard of decency. Therefore travellers were often regarded with caution. The showmen accomplished a lot of heavy physical work. They were often under a lot of pressure. During the season they had long working days. In winter, many showmen worked in factories. Others maintained their materials.
Future show people. A photo taken in the 1940s.
Interior of a caravan circa 1960: Sandra and Renee Marshall at work in the kitchen. Sandra Marshall is now Mrs. Sandra Wright, the first woman to be Chairman of the Showmen’s Guild of Great Britain Yorkshire Section in its 114 year history.
Albert Holland, Frances Holland and their son Albert junior in 1958. Their living wagon was stationed at Lutterworth Feast Fair.
The living wagon of the Turner family, somewhere in Yorkshire in 1903. Wilfred and Jane Turner covered the side of their wagon with a sun shield to stop the varnish on the paint peeling in the sun.
Walter and Renee Marshall and a poodle in their mobile home. Walter Marshall is owner of W. Marshall Amusements, father of Sandra Marshall and ex Chairman of the Yorkshire Section of the Showsmen’s Guild of Great Britain.
Showmen in their attraction.
The Rose Brothers’ Meteorite under construction at Nottingham Goose Fair in 1959
Construction time. The Ashley Brothers’ Ark at Nottingham Goose Fair, 1958.
Taking down Hibble and Mellor’s Dodgem Cars. Nittingham Goose Fair, 1959.
The staff of Annie Holland’s Travelling Cinematograph Show somewhere in Lincolnshire, 1908.
A family portrait.
Annie Holland in front of the carriage for the Palace of Light Cinematograph Show and loads photographed in 1908. Mrs Annie Holland was one of ten women who travelled a fairground cinematograph in the early 20th century. Hers was described as the biggest and brightest on the road.
A showman at work in his booth.