Newcastle Town Moor, 1938
The following images are from a selection of negatives
in the David Braithwaite collection, simply marked, Newcastle 1938. They
are all images of the famous Town Moor Fair, taken at a time when the
mixture of rides and shows was at an equal balance.
The most commonly represented machine was the Noahs
Ark with seven examples in attendance from William Noble, Shaw Brothers,
Sam Crow, John Hoadley, Joe Ling, Frank McConville and John Powell. The
scale of presentation must have been incredible, and it is noted that
both Hoadley's and Powell's machines were sporting the new style chrome
bikes. It is also noted by the World's Fair journalist "Cyclist"
(aka Jack Wilkinson) that all Arks were riding with a 1d ticket.
The other machines in attendance represented the 'big
hitters' of the 1930s, a time before the advent of more adventurous novelty
rides. Moonrockets from John Collins, John Hoadley and John Ling were
joined by Arthur Newsome's 'Thunderbolt' - a cut-down Demon Whirl travelling
as a smaller Moonrocket. Two Mont Blanc rides were open - Joe Ling's and
McConville's - whilst single examples of the Steam Yachts (John Hoadley),
Chairoplanes (O'Brien), Big Wheel (Pat Collins) and Caterpillar (Green
Brothers) were riding well.
The list of shows is a real tour of the imagination:
boxing stadiums by the Stewart and Johnson families, flea circuses by
Freeman and Sedgwick, mystery shows, wild west shows, circus presentations
by various members of the Pinder family, a working model of a colliery
as part of a 'novelty' show presented by the Raynor family, Birch's famous
Water Circus, Bliss' Trip to Mars... and Jack Barry's Wall of Death and
Australian Air Aces presentation. For a separate feature on the famous
Newcastle Show row click here.
John Collins themed his show with this elaborate showboat frontage, and featured a Midget Circus with a runaway bride and bridegroom from the Glasgow exhibition.
Where do you start describing this incredible picture...?
Pat Collins' Big Wheel - a new 12 car Eli version - with the Wall of Death
glimpsed on the left.
The name of the door says 'Taylor jnr' - there are no Taylor family names
mentioned in the World's Fair report until you come to the catering suppliers,
so this is possibly a family member from one of the large Taylor families
paying a visit to the fair.
The frontage suggests this is W. Pinder's 'Big Zoo' Circus Show.
Hoadley's Scammell - A similar picture actually features in the World's
Fair showing this as a novel showman's road tractor from Messrs Scammell
Lorries Ltd of Watford. The article notes that a large number of notable
roundabout proprietors and general public have been along to inspect the
vehicle. The article then runs a full description of the vehicle - looking
back now we can see this as the start of something legendary.
A group pose for the camera... showfolk or eager punters?
Behind the scenes with a hive of activity - prestigious showman cars kept
clear of the elements.
Punters on the ground - the sheet in the background has the name 'Bates'
visible, and the report for the year indicates a sheet presented by William
Henry 'Sailor' Bates.
Presumably the back of one of the Pinder family circus shows - Ling's
Ben Hur Ark is visible, and the flat lorry on the left is part of the
Collins' Showboat attraction.
An event off the main site - but what is going on? The central figure
is trussed and trapped with a rope around his neck, a second person approaches
with a sword, a set of chains lies on the grass in the foreground.
|
