Fair-Pix - Reviews

DOMINATOR DEBUT @ TILBURG KERMIS 2008...

Tilburg Kermis 2008 marked the debut of the latest thrill ride to arrive on the Dutch fair (kermis) circuit - the Dominator.

This - the first Inversion to be constructed by KMG was delivered to Jarno and Claudia Otten just before the fair opened on Friday 18th July. The Otten family are no strangers to the prototypes of the well known Dutch manufacturers. They previously travelled the Parajump (Miami Trip with Experience cars fitted), and more recently - the Kick Down Freakout which they sold to UK showman William Henry Clark nearly two years ago.

The ride has a very similar appearance to the Freakout however instead with a single weight-balanced column with a Delta shaped bracket holding three-gondolas sitting four passengers (two back-to-back, similar to on a KMG Experience), via slew rings enabling them to roll on natural forces. The cars are twisted around the end of the column as it swing gradually to producing 360 degree loops. Motor operation is not dissimilar to the Freakout. Total height of the machine is suggested as approx 25-30 metres.

After sampling the machine on Saturday evening, the potiential is there of this to be another big-hit for KMG. Additionally the ride was proving a winner with the punters too on a €5,00 ticket. However it appeared not to be 100% operating as the cars didn't roll very well, perhaps this could be down to being a new machine. Perhaps the rolling of the cars may not be necessary as the looping and twisting did give an exhilirating experience alone.

Time will tell on whether the Inversion will catch on and if this will be the next type of machine to hit the UK scene. 10 photos of the new machine are in the Galleries section.

ROWELL FAIR & MODEL SHOW 2008...

Governed by Trinity Sunday and the falling of Easter, Rowell Fair 2008 took place around the earliest time possible. The fair itself operated from 17th to 24th May, the Model Show was on Sunday 18th May.

Rowell Fair is held in the small Northants market town of Rothwell and is largely centred around the Market Place just off Market Hill. The featured new attraction for Rowellians this year was John Parrish's Extreme positioned at the bottom of the sloped ground. The ride was also centre of attention for the Sunday Blessing of the fair, John himself paid visits to the Model Show and was impressed with the exhibits on show.

All in all it was yet another good show put on by local enthusiast and World's Fair correspondent Dave Springthorpe, the venue Tresham Hall on the first floor of the Conservative Club. Fresh exhibits included John Molden's illumated top spin of the Meccano Wild Mouse Coaster he and son Michael are in the process of constructing; local man Carl Barlow's Ark Speedway also in process of construction; and Keith Hamilton & Richard Franklin up from Cambridge with model rides.

Fair Pix returned with the Kaleidoscope Mirror Maze following the 1:24 scale show's debut last year. The show also included many of the regular exhibitors including Frank York's 4mm layout, Mike Evans with transport and a continguent from the Stamford Fair Society. Photo exhibits were from Fair-Pix, Dave Springthorpe and David Jones. All in all it was yet another good show put on, a big thanks to Dave for allowing Fair-Pix to attend.

Click here to view David Wragg's photos from the show.

STAMFORD MID-LENT FAIR & MODEL SHOW 2008...

Stamford Mid-Lent Fair took place on one of its earliest dates possible in 2008, held from 3rd to 8th March. The Council let fair returned to its usual sites after the Sheep Market & Red Lion Square were unavailable last year due to refurbishment.

The full line-up of atractions is available elsewhere on the net so we'll concentrate on the changes. In Broad Street - William Percival's 2nd position housed his Sizzler Twist for the first time marking the return of a machine to stand beside his Waltzer. Red Lion Square Darren Mayne presented a Mirror Show alongside his Waltzer.

Down the hill, David Wallis' Ice Maze two-tier Mirror Show stood facing the Golden Fleece pub. At the bottom in Bath Row the main machine change was Darran Church's newly acquired Jumper taking the place of A & J Evans' Twister. Meanwhile in Bath Row East, Willie Wood brought in newcomers James Rogers & Sons' High Roller & John Wheatley's Speed Buzz in to flank Jay Barwick's Freak Out which was new last year.

The Stamford Fair Society celebrated 10 years by organised its annual model show in the United Reformed Church Hall in Broad Street on the final day. New exhibitor this year was Trevor Colquhoun all the way down from Perth in Scotland with his Ark Speedway. Welcome returns from Darren Smallwood with his fine Technodome Waltzer and John & Michael Molden's Meccano Top Buzz not seen there for a little while. They were joined by many of the regular exhibits and trade stands.

BRIGHTON MODEL WORLD 2008...

Fair-Pix was invited by the Brighton Modelworld Organising Group to attend their 30th anniversary show at the Brighton Centre from 15th to 17th February 2008. This universally one of the highlights of the modelling calendar.

For 2008 a grouping of fairground related exhibits were provided all from the South & South-East England, the centrepiece being Steve Nutter's superbly restored hand-turned Dobbies equipped with Organ. Steve and family from Eastbourne throughly enjoying their three days there. I'm sure Steve is hoping soon to stand next to the AFOS at a future event!!!

Two platform rides took pride of place with John "Chunkie" Taylor providing his excellent 1:24 scale model of Carter's Ark, while down from Kent came Greg Pryce's 1:16 scale demountable Waltzer based on a traditional Maxwell design. Completing this area was a big selection from David Ives comprising 4mm funfair layout of Faller & Langley models; and Corgi funfair transport plus scale models of the Galloper sets from Harris Bros, Anderton & Rowland and Carter's Steam Fair. David was particularly having a fun time playing with his DJ software on his laptop!

Facing the group, Fair-Pix presented the recently refurbished 1:24 scale Kaleidoscope Mirror Maze of MPC Model Amusements along with photo albums of UK and Continental funfairs. Finally not far away near to the West Bar door was John Manser with his 1:12 Lighthouse Slip, mini-Chairs and accompanied transport and living wagon. There was an extensive selection of models from other types of interests present ranging from railways to rally cars, LEGO to Daleks! Plenty of trade stands were also present to offer potiential modellers an ideal starting block.

Finally we would publicly like to take this opportunity to thank Exhibition Manager Tim Steven for invitating us to attend for the hospitality they provided. Also a big thank you goes to Chunkie, Greg, David, Steve, John and their families for their company throughout the three days.

Selection of photos of the show are in the Galleries section.

CHURCHDOWN FUNFAIR EXTRAVAGANZA 2008...

The 3rd Churchdown Funfair Extravaganza took place on 19th January 2008. Fair-Pix was there with photo albums along with exhibiting the MPC Model Amusements Kaleidoscope Mirror Maze. Once again the Mike Willis and Bill Lane partnership excelled themselves by putting on a show to remember.

The venue of the event was once again Churchdown Community Centre, outside an impressive selection of showmen's transport gathered. Abie Danter Jnr gave enthusiasts a real treat by bring along his Scania unit used to build-up his Wild Mouse & Log Flume rides. An unexpected surprise was Harvey Green with his Big Wheel ERF.

Inside the hall there were first-class models on exhibition plus a large selection of trade stands from Fairground Heritage Trust, FAGB & Fairground Society just to mention a few. Further models were located in the corridor just behind the hall (where Fair-Pix could be found) plus the back room. Amongst the models was a large collection of Continental photos from birthday-boy Frank York.

Several events took place on the main stage including the FAGB Showmen of the Year Award which deservedly went to Notts & Derbys Section's new Vice-Chairman William Wood. Wife Maisie and sons William Jnr and Ashley were also there to witness the family's proud moment. The support of the showmen was phenomenal with many members of the Danter family visiting plus many others including David Wallis, William Wilson, Arthur Price, Perry Hatwell, Western Section Chairman & Vice-Chairman Steven Rawlings & Steven Hill respectively and Jimmy and Lee Meech (Mason's Amusements).

The show opened to the public from 10.30am to 5pm and is already booked for Saturday 17th January 2009 and Saturday 16th January 2010.

LATEST UPDATE: 22/07/2008