Showmen's Guild: South Wales and Northern Ireland Section
The governing regions of the South Wales and Northern Ireland Section of The Showmen's Guild of Great Britain covers the historic counties of Dyfed, Gwent, Powys, West Glamorgan, South Glamorgan, the area of the County of Worcester and Hereford within the former boundary of the County of Hereford, and the six counties of Northern Ireland. The South Wales section of the Guild was first constituted as a governing region in 1907 where together with the West of England it formed part of the then Wales and West of England section. However, through the activities of Welsh showmen such as the Studts and the Dooners, its members were among the early founders of the Guild in 1889, with Jacob Studt one of the early Vice-Presidents.
Showmen historically connected with the section include the Studt family of Jacob and John Studt fame. During the period when the cinematograph shows were popular on the fairgounds of Great Britain, Jacob Studt's show was one of the most lavish on the road. Indeed his fellow countryman William Haggar and his son Walter became the first showmen filmmakers and exhibitors of their own features when they produced a series of films between 1903 and 1913 under the name of Haggar's Portable Theatre Company, with members of the family acting in films such as The Maid and Cefn Ydfa and The Poachers.
Other families connected with the Welsh section include the Danters, the Dooners, White Brothers of Cardiff and the redoubtable Mrs Deakin. It can also claim to have as a member the only travelling boxing booth proprietor in the country. Ron Taylor's show is the last booth still travelling and recently appeared at the 700th Goose Fair.
The South Wales section of the Guild runs over fourteen fairs amongst which are historic fairs and more modern ones. They include Hereford May fair and Neath Great Fair held in September: both events trace their origins to medieval charters. Other fairs in the region include Haverford West and the annual fair in Pembroke, which is also organised by the South Wales office.
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