Charles Thurston’s Marconiphone Coach in the 1930’s
Marconi Tilling Stevens Coach (Mitcham 1932)
”OLD BUSES and COACHES on the Fairground – 1930’s to 1970’s”
Well known British Showman Charles Thurston arranged and presented his own programmes of orchestral selections, organ solos, marches and songs on the fairground during the early 1930’s. These concerts were broadcast from his Marconi Radio and Amplifying Tilling Stevens coach to patrons on the fairground. The Sunday concerts often lasted up to an hour-and-a-half, and played to thousands of people. This all British amplification unit was supplied
with current from the petrol-electric engine. A very powerful ”searchlight” speaker broadcast the music which gave a ”most pleasant and un-distorted output”. The range of the speaker was reported to be over four miles.
Image Courtesy Early Amusement Images Picture Library – All Rights Reserved
Dreamland, Margate – The Funshine Capital of the South-East
(Includes Video Link)
Dreamland Amusement Park dates from 1863 when buildings opened as a restaurant and dance hall. Known then as the ‘Hall by the Sea’, the business was sold in about 1870. Circus Boss ‘Lord’ George Sanger eventually became the sole proprietor of the site together with further adjacent land to the rear. A menagerie and circular riding machines were some of the early features of the Pleasure Gardens. Following Sanger’s death in 1911, the site was subsequently acquired in 1919 by amusement entrepreneur John H. Illes. He renamed the site ‘Dreamland’ after visiting the Dreamland Amusement Park at Coney Island, Brooklyn NY. The Illes family already owned and operated amusement facilities both here and abroad. The first new major adult riding machine was opened to the public in 1920. The ‘Scenic Railway’ was a flanged wheel coaster withContinue reading Dreamland the Amazement Park→
On a scale of 1 – 10 (where 10 is EXTREME FEAR), this ride was awarded a 10 – the most frightening roller coaster ever built. The Cyclone Coaster (1927 – 1946) at Crystal Beach Park, Ontario, Canada was the purveyor of this EXTREME FEAR. Designed by Harry G. Traver (The Master of Terror), this gravity ride featured (unusually) a steel superstructure to support the Continue reading A LEGEND of TERROR→
The Picture Library will be temporarily closed during the period February 13, 2015 and March 9, 2015 whilst the entire Library is moved to a new high tech facility. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause, but pledge to offer an even swifter media service following this relocation. Thank you for your forbearance.
Direct Quotations from a Japanese Dossier about Leisure, Amusements and Roller Coasters
The world has now been surrounded with severe circumstances such as declining of the economy and increase of imballanced trades. Under these situations, the re-structure of enterprises is more enviable.
In the trend of humanism from materialism, we are often criticized as economic animals. But the time is changing our life aspect into leisure oriented life. Now leisure is a necessary aspect of our life today.
In such demand of leisure oriented life, it is believed to extend amusement facilities further into various ways, in order to create and develop new but happier and more human leisure concepts for the age of humanism. Based on these mottos, in addition to this, our time demands in the trend of Industrial culture.
Is there anyone still alive after riding this brute? The definition of BRUTE speaks for ”Stupid”, ”Cruel”, ”Beast-like”, and ”Unreasoning Force”. This adult amusement riding machine was rumoured to be all of these things! An accident waiting to happen! Even the decorations to the ride depicts everybody falling over!
Are you a survivor after riding this machine? Do you know of any survivors? We want to hear about riders experiences on this unusual riding machine – PLEASE LEAVE A COMMENT.
Bishton’s ‘Ski Ride’ at Nottingham
Images Courtesy Early Amusement Images Picture Library – All Rights Reserved
Bensons – The Surrey Showland Family who have Travelled Amusements for over 100 Years
The ”Lost” Family Paintings
It is always such a pleasure to be in a position to display paintings from showland. These paintings from the Benson family capture the firms’ transport and the colours of the fairground. Hats off to our showfolk and best wishes for a good 2013 season.
Benson’s Living Wagon Benson’s Scammell TractorsBenson’s Scammell Pioneer and Foden Tractor
Benson’s Speedway Ark
Benson’s Tackle
All Pictures Copyright Benson’s Amusements – All Rights Reserved
A picture library of high quality worldwide amusement images depicting all the fun associated with these attractions
