All the Fun of the Fair

East Dulwich photographer, Sara Lloyd, captures a unique view of the people behind Carter’s Steam Fair

Warm, articulate and welcoming are probably not the first words that may spring to mind when people think of travelling showmen. But many assumptions were blown away the first time I met the family and people who are behind Carter’s Steam Fair. After all, most of us that visit the fair once a year rarely give more than a cursory glance to the staff manning the rides, other than to hand over our money.

When I turned up unannounced on a busy build-up day for the fair, there was a sense of calm and quiet order. A far cry from the cacophony of sounds and excitement that greet you when the fair is in full swing. I was immediately introduced to Seth Carter who took the time to explain some of the history and background behind the Fair, whilst providing me with a seat and an offer of tea.

Carter’s Steam Fair was the brainchild of Anna and John Carter who began their current venture with the purchase of one ride in 1977. Thirty one years later it is a vibrant and unique family business that Anna and her five children, Seth, Zed, Joby, Rosie and Amber are all involved in. The company is based in Maidenhead and travels around London and the South East from March until October, using the winter months to undertake maintenance and repairs on the equipment. The company now employs some 50 staff, both permanent and temporary, to include carpenters, electricians, painters and drivers who often work 80-100 hours a week in the season.

So what is life like on the road? Well, it seems that the people who work on the fair form a close-knit family who live in each other’s pockets for six months of the year. Everyone has to be able to multi-task and the life is physically demanding. Mari, the only female full time member of staff travelling on the road this year, claimed she had dropped three jeans sizes so far this season! Back to back shows and constant travelling for six months mean that staff see little of their families, often only catching up with them at the weekends when their wives and children drive to meet them.

John Todd, who originally hails from Herne Hill, has been with the Fair since he was 16 years old. One of the huge, painted caravans that encircle the site provides John’s home for the season. Stepping inside was like going back in time. The caravan surprised me in terms of its scale, they are big, but also how much is packed inside. John’s van has all mod cons including a fitted kitchen, a TV and DVD player and the essential laptop. However, there was no Formica in sight, just beautiful wooden panelling and a sense of craftsmanship that has long gone. An enchanting bedroom for his visiting daughters is crammed with toys, including a dolls house.

And what of Seth when he returns back home to Maidenhead for the winter? Well, there’s the busy maintenance schedule to prepare everything for next season and the opportunity to spend some quality time with his wife and four children, including three-year-old twins. Seth is also a keen rugby player for Maidenhead RFC and when he is not doing that, he is busy coaching and refereeing the children’s squad. During our brief conversation, Seth did allude to the negative attitudes that some of the general public have of fair ground workers. What I came away with is the impression of a man who is justifiably proud of being a showman and one who believes he is continuing an important cultural tradition, without the support of any arts grants that other shows attract. Perhaps the next time you visit Carter’s Steam Fair, you might like me, see the show and the people working on it through very different eyes.

Carter’s Steam Fair is in Dulwich at Belair on June 7th-8th and June 14th-15th. Saturday 1-11pm, Sunday 1-9pm. For more details see their website.