Traditional rides dating back to the 1920's have been lovingly restored to their former glory .
Disadvantages:
Too expensive, hired local staff rude and unhelpful, no toilets, food not that appetising .
Recommend to potential buyers:
no
Full review
Carters Steam Fair
Carters Steam Fair is a travelling fair mainly based in the South East of England. The entourage with its traditional rides and hurdy gurdey’s, tours for just over half of the year and the remainder months are spent restoring and repairing the machines and equipment.
The steam fair was the idea of a gentleman called John Carter who enjoyed collecting old yet interesting items. Many were destined for the scrap heap as they were too unfashionable or too old to use any longer.
It has taken over thirty years but now a whole funfair has been re-born and rejuvenated, complete with historic vehicles to tow them all over the South East.
With vintage caravans for the family and staff live in, when Carters draw into town, it looks more like a 1930’s film set. I must admit I prefer wandering around admiring the caravan’s beauty and splendour, each one looks unique and they are immaculate. Nothing like the modern day caravans we see today, these are truly special. Even the dogs have plush kennels.
The founder, John Carter, sadly passed away to cancer aged 58 in 2000 but his legacy lives on through his family.
***** The Rides and Attractions ********
Please do not expect any modern day music here, the sounds of the 60’s fill the air as you wander around.
Ball Blower Stall Candy Floss, Doughnut and Jacket potato stalls. (really not that appetizing, best to take your own food and drink). Hook-A-Duck Stall Chair-O-Planes Strikers Gallopers Steam Yachts Swing boats (children and adult size boats) Austin Cars (ideal for under 5’s) Toy Town Dodgems Slip Football Stall Octopus Dobbies Coconut Sheet (throwing balls to knock a coconut off its stand). Mirror Show (just a room of mirrors distorting your shape). Slug Shooter Stall (hit a target and get a prize) Air Rifle Stall (same as above) Roll-A-Ball Dart Stall Ball-A-Stall Victory Dive Bomber Arcade Train Ride (for children) ArcThere are too many rides for me to describe individually so I have chosen some special ones that always stand out from the crowd.
The latest attraction is the “Ark” which has been packed away since 1980. Owned by Mr T Andrews, all 500 pieces had extensive renovation and it was up and running for the 2006 season.
The Ark is believed to be the one of the most original rides in existence and still retains its original artwork and design. Climb up the three rickety wooden steps and prepare to be spun around as your carriage goes up and down at quite a fast pace. Compared to the modern day rides, this seems quite tame but just as enjoyable. Depending on the operator, this ride was can last between 3 and 5 minutes.
The Chair O Plane dates back to 1920 and is in superb condition. Adults and older children sit on an individual swing seat with a bar across your lap, the ride then slowly builds up to give you a relaxing yet quite fast swing in a circular motion. A Chiappa Organ serenades you as your hair blows in the summer breeze. A truly lovely ride but not suitable for pregnant ladies or those on the cuddly side, only because the individual seats are not that wide.
The Gallopers is basically a carousel. You sit on a horse, suspended by a pole and go round and round and up and down. Nothing to stomach churning but because the horses are so old, the paint work has become highly polished by all the wear and tear. If you don’t have a good grip, best to avoid this ride as you have a tendency to slip as the ride builds up speed. A belt is provided to wrap around your waist.
Onced owned by Gerry Cottle (circus fame) the Octopus ride was finally purchased in 1993 by Carters. Built in 1961, this has to be one of the original white knuckle rides. Resembling an Octopus with its long tentacles, individual cars holding a maximum of two people are flung into the air and spun around at a rate of knots. A bar is provided which fits over your lap to keep you inside the carriage. Quite a stomach churning attraction that I tend to avoid. However I do enjoy watching the reaction on some of the visitor’s faces as the cars take off.
Built in 1921, the Steam Yachts are large swing boats that are manually operated by the persons sitting inside the boat. You climb aboard using a set of wooden steps and please bear in mind there is no hand rail. By simultaneously pulling the rope cord, the boats begin to rock back and forth. You control the speed and the ride operator slows the boat by placing a long wooden plank underneath the base. Usually lasts around 5 minutes. There is version for small children and adults.
The Victory Dive Bomber is literally the up in the air machine. Built in 1958 and bought by Carters in 2001. There are four pods designed to look like a bomb, two pods on each spindle. As the pods take off, they rotate and spin and as one is suspended in the air, the other is hurtling down to the ground. The pods are completely enclosed; they have a solid base with a frame around the top. A warning notice is displayed to stop pregnant women, young children and anyone with a heart or blood condition to not use this ride. Many years ago, whilst at the Uxbridge steam fair, I witnessed a rider being sick on this and it was not a pleasant sight. Do not stand too close is my advice.
The Zodiac Jets were built around 1952 and are now extremely rare. Small jet like capsules are spun round and also bounce up and down at a raised height. Quite good fun and in immaculate condition for its age.
The Arcade allows the public to play a good variety of antique mechanical slot machines using large old-type pennies as tokens. To get your tokens there is a booth inside the arcade where you can exchange sterling for the token required. You can also purchase a book on the history of Carters from here costing £7. Always full and very popular, the Arcade games include Allwins, Cranes, moving models such as the laughing sea man, Mutoscopes, Fortune Tellers, Strength Testers, Penny Pushers and an original one-armed Bandit. Some of these machines are over 60 years old and do not pay out jack pot money, it’s just for fun.
*****For Hire: *****
Carters state on the website that they are available all year round for private and corporate functions, film and advertising work. Contact them at the following address:
Carters Yard White Waltham Nr Maidenhead Berkshire SL6 3LW
You can also use the link http://www.carterssteamfair.co.uk/carters_steam_fair_007
*****Parking, Disabled and Toilet Facilities:*****
Carters are not at any set base; they just basically travel around England and park up on an agreed piece of land with the local council. Therefore, there are no toilet facilities inside the fair ground. The same applies to parking. You have to park where you can but please remember the residents.
I was appalled at the traffic congestion at the Hayes common. Between Derwent Drive and Park Lane, the cars were double parked, some over lapping driveways. I showed more respect to the residents and parked in the near by Beck Theatre which was virtually empty. Just for the sake of a few steps, cars were parked just about anywhere they could get into and not a traffic warden insight.
The Uxbridge Common venue offers more parking in that you can park further down on the single yellow lines in the evening.
Regarding disabled facilities, there are none as there are no rides suitable for wheelchair users. Please don’t let this deter you from going as it is worth seeing the vintage caravans and listening to the 1950’s/ 1960’s style music which alters from stall to ride.
*****Locating Carters *****
Carters Steam Fair travels around London and surrounding counties starting in April through to October each year. To find out where they are next please call the recorded information line on: 01628-822221.
Just before Carters arrive in town, they display many bill boards in the area. Look out for the bright yellow signs with the Carter name and venue details,often situated near traffic lights and on park fences.
***** Opening times ****
I am not sure if they vary from area to area but the Middlesex shows are open from 1 pm to 10 pm at weekends. On the Saturday there is a firework display lasting no more than 7 minutes. It’s a ploy to keep the customers there and spend more money and not worth staying out late for.
***** Conclusion*****
I have been a fan of the steam fair for many years. However, this year’s performance at Hayes in Middlesex was very disappointing and I feel the standards have slipped quite considerably.
For example some of the hired staff that were operating the rides and side stalls were obviously not from the Carters family.
The Carters family go that extra mile to make sure your time there is fun. With the hired local staff from Hayes, I found they were rude, arrogant and ignorant.
One lady on the swing boat ride appeared to not understand a word I said. She just put out her hand to take my money and pointed to where my son should sit. No please, thank you or have a nice day was uttered, yet alone to check he was safe and secure. Manners cost nothing but go a long way in securing a customers return.
The prices were extortionate and after just 30 minutes and three children later, I was parted from £35. This season’s prices were £2 a ride, £3 for bumper cars and £1.50 for most stalls. The cheapest ride was the helter skelter slide at £1 and my daughter burnt her arm on the wooden panel coming down.
The prizes this year were so ridiculous; they resembled something from a Christmas cracker. On the hook a duck, my son received a small parachute man. You can buy these from most retail stores at just pence; I paid £1.50 for this rubbish.
I never thought I would say this but if you do not live in the region of a Carters show then it really is not worth the effort to travel. Maybe it was the area that let this show down. It’s expensive and depending on the local staff they hire, most unwelcoming.
