Thursday 16 May 2013

Wings and Wheels at Carters Steam Fair

Last weekend my sister-in-law joined me and Andrew for our annual pilgrimage to Pinkneys Green, near Maidenhead, Berkshire to visit Carters Steam Fair.

 Carters Steam Fair, Pinkneys Green
 Pinkneys Green - the quintessential English country village?

 We were very very lucky with the weather, despite a soggy forecast the rain held off all day and only started early evening. Although when it rained, it really rained!

If you haven't visited Carters before, if you get the chance, go, as it's a fantastic day out for everyone. The fair was founded in 1977 by John and Anna Carter and as the Carter family has grown (the youngest being only 9 months old), so too has the collection of vintage rides (all highly decorated by Anna) plus side stalls, childrens rides and other entertainment. Although Carters mainly stay within the South of England, wherever they travel, all the rides are packed away and pulled from place to place with their fleet of vintage showman's transport.


Carters Steam Fair, Pinkneys Green
 Lorry Fleet Number 16 - 1951 Scammell


I took far too many photographs of all the gleaming rides, lorries and engines; it was a good opportunity to play with my new camera so you'll have to forgive me for the amount of pictures!

Carters Steam Fair, Pinkneys Green
 Some of Anna's amazing artwork adorning the side of the Steam Yachts


Carters Steam Fair, Pinkneys Green
 Indeed!

Carters Steam Fair, Pinkneys Green
1904 Burrell Showman's Locomotive 'Britannia'

Carters Steam Fair, Pinkneys Green
 Just to get one thing cleared up for everyone - in Britain, these are not called Carousels! The correct term is 'a set of Gallopers' and here's one of the galloping horses, Frank.

Carters Steam Fair, Pinkneys Green
Penny arcade machines - Allwins - also often called 'robbing machines'...

Carters Steam Fair, Pinkneys Green
 Not actually a Carters lorry, but a 1948 Scammell Showtrac 'City of Exeter' owned by a friend of ours, who is connected to the Carter family.

Carters Steam Fair, Pinkneys Green
 Lots of fun being had!

Carters Steam Fair, Pinkneys Green
The front of the 93 keyless Andreas Ruth Fairground Organ

Carters Steam Fair, Pinkneys Green
Like something out of Frankestein, this control board governed power to some of the fairground rides during the day

Carters Steam Fair, Pinkneys Green
 The Octopus and Lighthouse Slip (not a helter-skelter) in the background

Carters Steam Fair, Pinkneys Green
 Round and round and side to side on the Lightning Skid

Carters Steam Fair, Pinkneys Green
Roll up, roll up, get your ice creams!

Carters Steam Fair, Pinkneys Green
The steam yachts in full swing...

Carters Steam Fair, Pinkneys Green
 The gallopers and a 1918 Garrett Showman's Tractor 'Verity'

Carters Steam Fair, Pinkneys Green
Anna Carters 1948 Vospa Living Van

Carters Steam Fair, Pinkneys Green
 Early evening and you can see storm clouds were brewing!

Carters Steam Fair, Pinkneys Green
 Rock 'n' Roll on the Dodgems


Well worth a visit - check out Carters Steam Fair website for their latest diary dates!

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