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The Fairground Heritage Trust is the UK's only organisation preserving items from our rich Fairground history. Click on the image to make an online donation.

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LEN BIBBYS’ WALTZER

Originally built as Corrigans’ Kentucky Derby’, and designed by Sid Howell at Ortons in 1939, this was probably one of the last rides built before the War. It is particularly interesting, as it pre-empted the Odeon-style décor favoured by Maxwell-Lakins in the immediate post-War years. What set this type of machine apart from anything that had gone before was the elaborate design, which owed a great deal to the Art Deco style of cinema buildings designed (under the control of architect Harry H Weedon) for the Odeon cinema chain in the 1930s.
Some years later, the ride was redecorated by Fred Fowle, but still retained much of the original styling, even after conversion to a waltzer.

Tooting Bec Common 30/04/83

Left and below left: One of the handrails with cut-out Pegasus motif, a design also favoured by Edwin Hall at Lakins.

 

Below right: elaborate art deco influenced artwork on one of the rounding boards.

 

Danson Park 23/04/81

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