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SKIDS III

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 third and final 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.

Tom Smith’s Lightning Skid
One of the Hayes Fabrications machines, this was delivered new to T Smith & Sons in 1965. It later spent a number of years packed away in their Leighton Buzzard yard, before being acquired by Gerry Cottle, as part of his lost fair. It is now part of the Marcus Priest collection.

Gerry Cottle’s Skid, built up at his Addlestonemoor Winter Quarters

Charles Thurston’s Skid
Built new for John Thurston & Son by R J Lakin in 1947, and given to Charles Thurston on the occasion of his marriage to Maisie Farrar in 1953. Originally decorated by Edwin Hall at Lakins, the ride was redecorated by Fred Fowle in 1960. In 1977 the Skid was taken over by Charles jnr, and during the following winter was rebuilt with a new paybox and flat roof. In 1981 it was sold to Theodore Whyatt, passing later to Frankie Harris. It is now owned by Russell Cook, and has undergone extensive restoration, whilst still making the occasional appearance.


Charles Thurston’s Skid in original décor, Hull Fair, 10/62. Just look at the stylised Mercury head on the car! (Edwin Hall design)	Charles Thurston’s Swirling Skid, Hull Fair, 10/10/74

Charles Thurston’s Skid in action, Oxford St Giles, 06/09/76 – note the lamp post!	One of the cars on Thurstons’ Skid, Hull Fair, 16/10/76

One of the front boards, showing Fred Fowle décor, Nottingham Goose Fair, 06/10/77	Charles Thurston’s Skid, Nottingham Goose Fair, 06/10/77

Two views of the Thurston Skid building up at Hull Fair, after the all night pull down and journey from Nottingham Goose Fair, 08/10/78.	Note Billy Crow’s brand new Maxwell Easyrider behind.

Building up at Great Yarmouth Easter Fair, 23/04/81	In Theodore Whyatt’s ownership, Hull Fair, 10/10/87

Now with Russell Cook: the ex-Thurston Skid at Pinkneys Green, 10/05/03

Stanley Thurston’s Atomic Thriller
Built by Lakins in 1947 to replace their earlier Skid, this was one of two very similar machines built that year; the other going to John Thurston & Sons, later becoming Charles Thurston’s.
The modernistic Atomic Thriller décor was by Hall & Fowle, although it isn’t clear exactly what year the redecoration was carried out. The ride was later sold to Swales Bailey, and then to Henry Smith in Scotland. In the early 80’s it was extensively rebuilt, with a large centre truck being fitted, as well as a flat roof. The ride then went to McDonalds in Ireland, and was travelled most recently by Johnny Fry. Sadly it has now been left to rot in a yard in Southern Ireland, and although the paybox and inside scenery are long gone, and the décor on the cars painted out, the roundings and trellises still carry the remains of the Hall & Fowle Atomic Thriller artwork.


Swales Bailey’s Skid, Blackheath Easter Fair, 17/04/76	Swales Bailey’s Atomic Thriller building up, Deal Regatta, 14/06/76

Henry Smith’s Atomic Thriller, Falkirk, 28/04/81

Side view of the ride with Henry Smith at Carlisle Great Fair, 29/08/79.


Henry Smith’s Atomic Thriller, Carlisle Great Fair, 22/08/81	Rear view showing the two different styles of rounding boards, Carlisle, 29/08/79

Close up view of one of the rounding boards, showing the Dan Dare style Spaceship.

Four views of the inside of the Atomic Thriller, when in Henry Smith’s ownership. Above L & R: the inside of the machine, showing the wonderfully decorated paybox and top centres. Below left, one of the cars. All Carlisle May Fair, 23/05/80. Below right, another view of the centre, Carlisle Great Fair, 29/08/79.

Detail of the front boards; the Hall & Fowle signature is on the lower half of the red roundel in the centre.

Traylens’ Sensational Swirl
Originally a French-built Skid, imported for William Wilson, this ride appeared on the Traylen circuit for many years, before being packed away in the 1970’s, and eventually sold to Glen Coneley in the 1980’s. At one time styled Lightning Whip, with classic Hall & Fowle décor, the ride was later rebuilt with a flat roof and more contemporary Fred Fowle artwork as the Sensational Swirl.


Glen Coneley’s Skid, Stevenage, 23/03/85	Glen Coneley’s Skid, Stokenchurch, 22/09/84

Two of the Fowle-decorated rounding boards on Coneleys’ ex-Traylen Skid, St Albans, 25/08/84

Billy Warwick’s Spectrum Skid
One of the three Orton & Spooner Skids, this was new to Pat Collins, and was also owned by Beach & Guyatt and Roy Carter prior to becoming Billy Warwick’s. It travelled with him for a number of years, undergoing several changes of décor; most recently receiving the Tate treatment. It is now owned by Pete Bradley.


Billy Warwick’s Skid, Bulwell, 08/77 (Photo courtesy Pete Tei)	The Spectrum Skid post Tate treatment, (Photo courtesy Stephen Smith)

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