Jack Leeson - A Day in the Life
Jack Leeson was a crucial axis in what can be described
the 'second generation' of fairground enthusiasts, even though Leeson
circulated amongst the first generation of enthusiasts. The distinction
between these two groups isnt obviously attributable to age, but moreso
to attitude and approach. Our separate article details the history of
the enthusiast movement, but Jack Leeson (together with Rowland Scott
and Philip Bradley) formed the basis of a new breed of enthusiast interested
in the 'here and now' rather than strictly looking to the past. Added
to this was their unease at accepting established work as fact, since
much of the 'gospel' of the first generation of enthusiasts had been compiled
by a select few and became accepted (inaccurately) as truth. Leeson, Scott
and Bradley were not afraid to dig around whenever they felt something
needed challenging.
Consequently their approach to their hobby became detailed,
methodical and fastidious in the extreme. All three of the kept dedicated
notebooks which were filled in contemporaneously - these notebooks, once
full, stored for safe keeping. Leeson's notebooks, together with his correspondence
with Bradley and Scott, are kept here in the Archive, and have proved
invaluable in us establishing both a dedicated cataloguing system to describe
fairground aspects, and as a bedrock of some of our research into machine
histories. The following article is an entry from Leeson's notebook number
5 (covering the period 23 May to 11 September 1959). It is for the day
out at Birmingham Whit Fair, held on the Aston serpentine Ground.
Leeson opens the entry with the words "Arrived
on ground at 3-20 pm. Glorious weather but wind blowing clouds of black
dust about here!". He then goes on to list the attractions by starting
with the juvenile rides first:
John Collins' Ducks, T. Crick's Casey Jones Railway,
T. Crick's Austin Ride, T. Crick's Dobbies, Jim Williams' Juvenile, G.
Tweddle's Boats, G. Tweddle's Austins, G. Tweddle's Toys, J. Ryan's Electric
Juvenile Yachts, Mrs Chadwick's Juvenile, Brian Collins' Juvenile and
H. Rogers' Sea-on-Land.
The major rides are then listed as follows:
W. Bagnall's 3-abreast, W. Bagnall's Dodgems, W. Bagnall's
Caterpillar, H. Richards' Cake Walk, Wilson Brothers' Spanish Waltzer,
Wilson Brothers' Dodgems, G. Stokes' Ark, A. Sheppard's Eli Wheel, W.
Williams' Eli Wheel, J.P. Collins' Waltzer, Pat Collins' Big Waltzer,
Pat Collins' No 2 Ark, Pat Collins' Dodgems, J. W. Harris' Ghost Train,
Elias Harris' Octopus, Joby Farrell's Chairoplanes, E. Monte's Wall of
Death and Joe Chadwick's Autodrome.
Finally, Leeson lists the shows present as follows:
Billy Keyes' Largest Rat Show, Billy Keyes' Amazing
Vulcan Show, Weston's Panam and Humphries and Rogers' Shooting Saloons.
Before commencing with pictures Leeson notes down other
enthusiasts present on the occasion; "Met Fred Richardson and Mr
Hall by Cartwright's refreshment van and after a cup of tea and pie Fred
and I set off for a tour of the fair. Fred introduced me to Joe Chadwick
and I sketched the Razzle Dazzle layout for him. It was noted that there
are 4 motors on J. Chadwick's Autodrome and that W. Bagnall's Dodgem had
only 2 straight sections in the sides."
Leeson then proceeds to capture 12 photographs and adds
his own notes. Some of those images, with corresponding notes, are included
below.
J.P. Collins' Waltzer
"This now has the new front and rounding, painted
by Hall and Fowle. No false pillars were fitted except on the front pillars".
W. Bagnall's Caterpillar.
"The former N. Codona Autodrome last seen at Loughborough
November 1958. Lookig rather shabby here. Joe Chadwick reports that the
links are breaking at the centre, due to the rigid Caterpillar car bases.
The ride is transported in the former Motordrome trucks, as the latter
machine is now at W. Bagnall's new park at Chasewater Brownhills.".
Mrs V. Holmes Swing Boats.
"6 boats, 21 foot long, 18 foot legs. Wasn't able to take a view of the truck because of its poor position - it is similar to Weston's but bigger and quite modern."
Billy Kayes' Largest Rat Show.
Pat Collins' Big Waltzer.
"Front now has figures painted on it, done winter 1958-59. Number 2 Scammell Showtrac stood alongside. This bore a nameplate LEADER."
G. Cornfield, F. Richardson and R. Newbold in front of J.P. Collins' FWD Sucoe tractor MRE997.
J. Chadwick's Floss Kiosk with fairground scene.
Leeson's notebook then includes detailed sketches of
both Wilson Brothers and Pat Collins Dodgems, reproduced below. These
were possibly for models that leeson was working on at the time.
Notes on Wilson Brothers' Dodgem.
Notes on Pat Collins' Dodgem.
Leeson concludes the entry with details of the trip
home as follows:
"Left fair at 6-30 pm, bus to city centre. Had
tea and rolls on New Street station and caught 7-40 pm to Rugby. Drakeley's
fair at their depot was in full swing and in addition to the Dodgems there
was a set of Chairoplanes fully built up. The fair was still on Hearsall
Common, and it was noticed that roundings etc were stripped from the machines
in readiness for the pull down on the 24th. Arrived Rugby 8-24 pm - saw
mam - she had spent the day with Win and was catching the train I had
just vacated. Stayed with her until train went out and then caught R77
bus 8-38 pm. Home 9-00."
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