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SKIDS II

Of all fairground rides, the Skid, or Swirl, seems to have lent itself particularly well to the decorator’s brush, with some wonderful results. There are already individual galleries on Tommy Benson’s Skid – probably the ultimate; and John Crick’s Rollerball Skid, with its amazing interpretation of the cult Sci-Fi movie by Roger Vinney and Fred Fowle.

In this second gallery we take a look at some of the other examples which could be found on our gaffs until only a few years ago. Please note, this is not a comprehensive survey, just a few of the more interesting examples collated from my archive. Also, the names chosen to designate each machine are arbitrary.

Jacksons’ Skid
The Congleton-based firm of H P Jackson & Sons only built one example of a Skid, and installed it in the amusement park at Southport, where they also operated various other rides over the years. It was later sold to Sunnysands Leisure, and is still at Southport, where it is now completely enclosed in a building, and is operated as a sort of dark ride.


The Jackson-built Skid when new at Southport. (Jacksons Works Photo)	Sunnysands Leisure’s Skid, Southport, 13/08/82

Peter Manning’s Supersonic Skid
Acquired by Mannings in 1961, this is old Lakin machine previously owned by Billy Nichols, Alfie Gray, and Charlie Gooch. It was last travelled around 1985, and after a period in the amusement park and Southend, and a time packed away, it has now been overhauled by Rundles, and can be seen in operation at Folly Farm. It still has an original Lakin Taj Mahal paybox, and features some superb Fred Fowle artwork, with Mercury motifs.


Peter Manning’s Supersonic Skid, Nottingham Goose Fair, 08/10/82	Inside view of Mannings’ Skid, showing Fred Fowle décor on car, Nottingham, 04/10/80

Two views of the inside of Mannings’ Skid, showing the Lakin Taj Mahal paybox, and top centres, with superb Fowle decoration. Left photo, Nottingham Goose Fair, 06/10/77; right photo, Nottingham, 05/10/79

Harry Parrish’s Supersonic Skid
Another of the Hayes Fabrications’ Skids, this one was new to Harry Parrish in 1967. Featuring some fantastic Fred Fowle décor, the ride was later sold to Chris Summers, but is now packed up.

Four views of Harry Parrish’s immaculate Skid at Cambridge Midsummer Fair, 24/06/78.

The close ups clearly show the Fred Fowle décor on the front and rounding boards, and the cars.

The Supersonic Skid following its sale to Chris Summers; the front has been relettered with Summers’ name, and a new set of handrails fitted, otherwise it remained as in Harry Parrish’s ownership.
Crystal Palace, 19/04/87.

Teddy Prateley’s Apollo Skid
An early Lakin machine, built around 1934 for J J Butterworth, and travelled by him for many years. The ride was eventually sold to Croles, who opened it at Aberavon in South Wales. By the time Teddy Prateley acquired it, it was in a poor state, and had to be heavily rebuilt. The only reminder of its past were the waterfall-style false pillars. It is now owned by Tony Field.


John Butterworth’s Lightning Swirl, Blackburn Easter Fair, 11/04/55	Rear view of Butterworths’ Skid, Knutsford May Fair, 1951


Teddy Prateley’s Apollo Skid Stourpaine, 23/09/79 (courtesy Paul Angel)	Close up of a car on Prateleys’ Skid, Eton Brocas, 24/07/83

Redecorated as the Super Skid: Teddy Prateley’s machine, Eton Brocas, 21/07/85

Rose Bros. Lightning Swirl
Another pre-war Lakin machine, this one was delivered new to H P Studt in 1931, being later sold to Rose Bros., who travelled it for a number of years, with Fowle décor, styled as their “Lightning Swirl”. In the 1980’s it was again sold, this time to Tony Burden, who travelled it briefly.


Rose Bros. “Lightning Swirl”, Hampton Court, Easter 1976 (courtesy Pete Tei)	One of the cars from the ex-Rose Bros Swirl, Gillingham Easter Fair, 03/04/83

Tony Burden’s Skid, Mitcham Common, 21/04/84	A rounding board on Burdens’ Skid, Gillingham, 03/04/83

John Sanders’ Flying Skid
Probably originally a Lakin machine, but extensively rebuilt by Hayes Fabrications, this is yet another Skid to feature the talents of Fred Fowle, this time with Mercury-themed decor. Sanders’ opened the ride at Bottons’ Park in Skegness for a number of years, before moving it to Seaton Carew in the late 1970’s. The ride was then sold to Billy Caris, who travelled it occasionally, although it remained in the amusement park at Seaton Carew for most of the time. Sadly, it was eventually scrapped.


John Sanders’ Flying Skid, Botton Bros’ Amusement Park, Great Yarmouth, 18/06/75	The centre of John Sanders’ Skid, Seaton Carew, 26/08/78

The front boards of John Sanders’ Flying Skid, with Fred Fowle’s Mercury-theme décor,
Seaton Carew, 26/08/78

Two of the cars on JohnSanders’ Skid, photographed while at Seaton Carew, 26/08/78.

The Flying Skid on a rare outing to Newcastle Town Moor Fair, in Billy Caris’s ownership, 19/06/82


Night time shot of Billy Caris’s Skid Newcastle Town Moor, 18/06/82	Another of the cars: Billy Caris’s Skid, Newcastle Town Moor, 19/06/82

GO ON TO SKIDS GALLERY III

BACK TO SKIDS GALLERY I

BACK TO GALLERY INDEX