National Fairground Archive

Scotland - 1940s and 1950s

Part 1 - Arks and Waltzer

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Scottish fairgrounds have not been particularly well documented outside of the notes in Worlds Fair. During the post-war years there were regularly two Scottish reports in the newspaper, however the reports were written in the traditional social tone and discussed family events, illnesses, birthdays, etc. In all fairness this was the original purpose of Worlds Fair - to provide a communicating vessel for the showland community. For the enthusiast of the time, or the enthusiast historian looking back, there is sparse information on machines and transport, with photographs almost non-existent.

The most well-known Scottish enthusiast and photographer was William Oswald, his photographs spanning his life in the shipping industry, his interest in trains and steam transport, and his love of fairs. However, Oswald's photographs remain in strict copyright with his family. The images in these galleries come from a lesser known enthusiast William Cross of Kelty, and surfaced as part of the Friendship Circle of Showland Fans (FCSF) library donated to the archive in 2004. The albums were compiled by members as a device for creating a library and sharing images and information. Without a doubt the William Cross album is the most intriguing and valuable. It gives a fairly thorough picture of the Scottish scene in the post-war years - providing first time pictures of many known machines as well crucial pictures of machines not documented.

The images are displayed with research generated within the archive, since the original album came with no notes at all. We attempt to give a flavour of the bustling Scottish scene dominated by families such as the Codonas, Whites and Taylors, as well as many of the other families that are still active in Scotland.

Many thanks to Kevin Scrivens and Stewart Thom in helping me with some of the family tree details.

H. Bastable's Waltzer, Bridge of Allan, 1st August 1959.

Henry Bastable's Waltzer (W20) was a Lakin machine new in 1947, staying with the Bastables until 1961 when it was replaced by a Maxwell machine. The Waltzer then spent a period at Aberavon, and went into a slow decline from its original grand Lakin decor. The Bastable family was best known as William Bastable and Sons, with William dying in 1946 and leaving three sons Henry, Freddy and William. The firm epitomised the Scottish scene, having an enormous pride in their equipment.

Nathaniel Codona's Speedway, Leven, 18th July 1959.

The Codona's were the driving force on Scottish fairs - the four sons William, John, Frank and Nathaniel dissolving the Codona Brothers partnership in 1930 and each striking out on their own. Nathaniel's Ark (A74) was new in 1936 and stayed with the family until 1989, passing on to Hunstanton Amusement Park. It remained a tremendous looking machine. After a spell in Ireland it returned to Scotland with Michael Stirling, having a modernised look around 2004.

William Codona's Waltzer, Dundee, 1st August 1959.

As seen, this is the 'Coronation Thriller' (A176) built in 1953 by Maxwells, and travelled by William and his son Albert. There are various stories about the originality of the machine, with some historians suggesting it was rebuilt from a prototype Looper ride that failed to catch the attention of the riding public. The ride still travels with Douglas Codona, a fine example of traditional decor.

Daniel Taylor's Ark, Glasgow, 2nd July 1941.

Initially the Taylor familes in Scotland consisted of the 'Edinburgh Taylors' and the 'Cumbria Taylors' - with Matthew and Douglas Taylor emerging from the latter family to kick-start the moves into big-hitting high-calibre fairground machinery. Daniel Taylor was part of the Edinburgh Taylors, and his superb Lakin Ark - A65 - was built in 1935. It had many decorative styles, but is seen here in a rare shot showing the classic Ben Hur artwork. The ride stayed with the Taylor family until 1974, when it passed to Billy Nicholos and then Perry Hatwell.

J. Codona's Speedway, Dundee, 14th June 1949.

This picture could well be captioned with the wrong location, since the Ark shown is actually A46, the Lakin Ark that spent most of its time in the amusement park at Portobello. The ownership of the park - known as Fun City - tended to pass through daughter marriage relations, with names such as Biddall, McReadie and McIntosh invloved, as well as close family ties with the Paulos and McArdles always present. John Codona was one of the Codona brothers who went on to establish the John Codona Pleasure Fairs (JCPF) moniker. The Ark has spent all of its time in Scotland, currently travelling with the Spencer family.

John Codona's Speedway, Dundee, 14th June 1949.

Exact same caption of the previous image, but this machine is part of the JCPF organisation. The Ark is A84, another Lakin machine, and travelled with JCPF for nearly 30 years before its sale to francis Manders. The Ark was later joined by a waltzer (A246).

Herbert Evans' Waltzer, Burntisland, 19th July 1959.

Burntisland remains an important venue and event in Scotland. Amusements appear on the links early in the summer and increase in number for the prestigious Burntisland Games. The bunting on this Waltzer suggests the carnival is about to occur. Herbert Evans Waltzer - A73 - is another machine that has spent its entire life in Scotland, though it is currently in store with Robertson Brothers.

J. Graham's Speedway, Bridge of Allan, 1st August 1959.

The Graham family were another significent force in Scotland, with Steam Yachts being a speciality amongst the various brothers. The Ark - A37 - was new to McConville, then passed to the McArdle family, before purchase by the Grahams in 1954. It was travelled alongside the Waltzer for many years. It spent the 1970s in Yorkshire with Gordon eddy, before returning to Scotland with the Evans family.

L. Horne's Speedway, Denny, 1941.

The Horne family are now prominent showmen in Scotland - the earliest machines travelled by cousins Robert and Charles. The Ark is listed under Leah Horne's name, and is another Lakin machine - A80 - which stayed with the family for nearly 50 years before its sale to Keith Taylor.