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THE RIDES OF ORTON & SPOONER (PAGE 3)
by Nick Laister
 Gallery: From Joyland Books Exhibition Hall, 1 October to 31 December 2003

Rocket

Albert Howell (left), Percy Mould (centre) and Billy Hubbard work on the huge scenic front of the Rocket Speedway.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


A press photograph of the Rocket Speedway open for business in the United States, without Sid Howell's scenic front.

 

 

 

 

 

Other Rides


This is a particularly fine example of the design skills that went into making a Dodgem ride. Having arrived at this stage, Sid Howell would already have made detailed drawings from which patterns were created. These designs were then scribed onto each panel by members of the painting team.

 





By the 1950s, Sid Howell's designs had progressed so as to be up-to-date in the eyes of the fairground world. This image is part of Studt's Super Dodgems ride, pictured in Sid's Burton workshop.

 

 

 

 



 


 


 

That most recognisable of fairground devices, a Helter Skelter, or Slip, seen here built up in the yard of Orton & Spooner's Swan Works.

 

 

 
More on Orton & Spooner
Men at Work: The fairground artists and artisans of Orton & Spooner
The Launch of Men at Work
Speedway: The Paul Grimshaw Interviews
Burton's finest factory of fun (The Fairground Heritage Trust)
Orton & Spooner Collection (National Fairground Archive)
 
Acknowledgements

This exhibition featured only a small selection from over 200 photographs that can be found in the book: Men at Work: The fairground artists and artisans of Orton & Spooner, published by Skelter Publishing. Other rides produced by Orton & Spooner include Fun Houses, Juvenile Rides, Caterpillars, Moonrockets, Waltzers, Kentucky Derby and Swirls. All are featured in this major book.

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