Category: Interviews

Silcock’s are synonymous with amusements in Southport, as well as Blackpool. Herbert Silcock Jnr tells World’s Fair about his career on the coast over six decades, and why being a Showman is better than being a dentist.Silcock’s links with Southport (Merseyside, but still fondly remembered by …

World’s Fair speaks to Max Waddington and Bradley Bedford in their first full season on the road together as lessees.Over the past few years, we have interviewed some of the UK’s biggest fairground players in these pages. This month we profile two of the newest …

After establishing their mobile bar business over a decade ago, Stanley & Debbie Reeves have got two new hospitality ventures on the go.“I’m 70 in November,” the North East born, Manchester-based Showman tells World’s Fair. “I don’t want to be getting in lorries, pulling off …

Swansea-based Showman Henry Studt has travelled 15 machines in less than two decades. But which one ride does he regret selling? Henry explains all…Mad Max (and other Miamis)My first Miami, which I bought off Abie Danter in 2005, started me off on a good road. …

As Pete Tate prepares to hang up his paintbrushes, his unofficial apprentice Tom Tooley is keen to keep his signwriting skills alive.The decoration of fairground rides and attractions has gone through several styles and mediums over the years. Signwriting with ornate lettering, banners and scrolls …

Shipping and logistics specialist Tony Kennedy has helped British Showmen transport all the fun of the fair all over the world. The co-founder of UCargo shares his story with World’s Fair readers.Whilst UCargo now deals with clients in several different industries, from the military to music festivals, …

Bioscope shows were an important part of the fairground in the 1890s and early 1900s. Though long gone, fairground models – like this one from artist Barrie Ratcliffe – remind us of these popular shows.After Randall Williams presented the first Bioscope show at King’s Lynn …

World’s Fair speaks to Kennedy Bates of Billy Bates & Sons’ Funfair about social media, happy staff and the advantages of doing business almost exclusively in one city.As we speak to Kennedy Bates over Zoom, he is sat in Billy Bates & Sons’ office at the …

The head of Stevens Fun Fairs, Charmaine Stevens-Traylen, tells World’s Fair about a life in showbusiness, including some surprising encounters along the way.Christened in her grandfather Billy Smart’s Big Top, you could say Charmaine Stevens-Traylen has been immersed in the entertainment industry from an early age.As …