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The business of fun |
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Travelling in the modern society
One of Anderton & Rowland's modern rides at Barnstaple Fair
© De-Vey family |
Today, some of the most up-to-date equipment on travelling fair circuit is operated by Anderton and Rowland. Simon De-Vey is now the forth generation of De-Veys to travel the West. He travels each summer with his brother Ben, his father, George De-Vey (III), his son, George, and their cousins. Devon remains their main base, having bases in Cullompton and West Point. Being a travelling business still necessitates living in a caravan, or living wagon as the showmen call them. But the luxurious example in which Simon and his wife Alison, along with their three children live, has come a long way from the old horse-drawn wagon in which Simon’s great-great-grandfather Albert Haslam lived. It has colour TV, video, washing machine, microwave and central heating.
Despite this, a showman still has to be a jack of all trades: lorry driver, engineer, electrician, surveyor, book keeper and businessman. He has to build good working relations with local councillors and residents and keep up-to-date with trends and crazes. Any showman worth his name needs to be ready to present the latest novelty.
Tricky manoeuvres to move George De-Vey's living wagon onto the fairground at Braunton, undated
© De-Vey family |
Having survived almost 150 years the Anderton & Rowland firm is as strong as ever and ready to face the challenges of life in the 21st Century. While old problems, such as where to graze the horses or find water for the engines, have disappeared, new and more stressful ones have taken their place. Health and safety is always uppermost in the minds of all travelling showmen as the equipment becomes more sophisticated and issues over rapidly disappearing sites suitable for funfairs have to be skilfully negotiated by Simon and his family. Despite running a modern business Simon’s interest in his heritage is greater than ever and is careful to ensure that it is preserved for future generations of his family.
Additional thanks to Simon De-Vey and Guy Belshaw
Words: Stephen Smith
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