Here’s a really interesting one that came in today, and it has so piqued my interest, that I’m going to throw it straight out there. The email speaks for itself – honoured, I am – but I’m hoping readers can help, perhaps Andy Dennis, who I think lives locally to the site in question, or Chasewaterstuff, who seems to know all about this kind of thing.
Just one observation: The picture of the ride in the advert: is it me, or is that Chasewater? Would this sale have coincided with the winding down of the permanent funfair, by any chance?
Tanks to Michael for the enquiry. Lets see what the readers come up with…
Please comment here or BrownhillsBob at Googlemail dot com. Cheers!
Fascinating. From the ‘Worlds Fair’ classified advertisement magazine, which was like Exchange and Mart or Daltons Weekly. Not sure where the Muffin comes into it, though. Click for a larger version.
Hello Bob,
Having searched online for a local history resource for Brownhills, I came up with your blog. Don’t know if you can help or not, but I thought it was worth an e-mail to ask.
We’ve recently acquired the little fairground ride in the attached ad for the Fairground Heritage Centre in Devon (www.fairground-heritage.org.ukq). We know how it started life, with the Thurston family in Norwich in the 1930s, and we know where’s it’s been for the past 35 years – since, presumably, it was sold from this ad (it went to Henry Crick at Rhyl’s Ocean Beach Amusement Park, and subsequently changed hands a couple more times).
The query is, do you know anything about Mr Peace, or what went on at 59 Whitehorse Road, Having checked on google maps/earth, the address seems to relate to a large plot of land, entrance gates opposite Hanbury Avenue, and these days backing on to the M6 toll. There’s one building on the site, which uses the address 59, and which is currently a care home. I believe there’s also a planning application for the site to build houses. Have you any idea if the site was at some stage a park or recreation ground, or whether it might have served as a showman’s yard or winter quarters? Is it possible that the ride might have opened on Whitehorse Road?
Would appreciate any information you can share with us. We like to try and find out as much information and history as we can for the items in our collection.
Kind regards,
Michael Smith
Secretary to the Trustees The Fairground Heritage Trust Dingles Fairground Heritage Centre