Following three years of research, a new book, covering the formative years of the Van Dwellers’ Association was launched at the Philip Astley Centre in Newcastle under Lyme on 14 January. In his introduction, Stephen Smith, who researched the work, explained why the venue had been chosen. First, he joked, it was only about a mile from his house. Secondly, the person who forced the showmen to unite, George Smith, came from the nearby Potteries town of Tunstall.
Smith believed that all caravans should be registered, and by gaining the support of MPs, he saw the Movable Dwellings Bill introduced into Parliament. At the time few van-dwellers were aware of how great a threat it posed to them.
In the nineteenth century there all kinds of individuals occupying travelling vans, including a growing number of people who attended fairs. Some of them sold toys, sweets and other goods. Some travelled games. Some were the proprietors of shooting galleries, swing boats and roundabouts. Others presented shows from their caravans or in booths. In 1891 they began to campaign together, to fight for their rights. George Smith’s Bill could have caused their extinction as a class, but the fairground community fought for its freedom. The result was the formation of the United Kingdom Showmen and Van Dwellers’ Protection Association.
One of those instrumental in its formation was Lord George Sanger, and he made available his premises on Westminster Bridge, London to hold a meeting to discuss setting up a trade association. It was here where they agreed to form a van dweller’s protection society. Sanger’s hall actually began life as Philip Astley’s Amphitheatre, and that again made the Philip Astley Centre in Newcastle the natural choice of venue from which to launch the book.
From here showmen met again in Manchester, electing a committee who spent a night at the Black Lion Hotel, Salford agreeing a constitution for the new society. Its name, the United Kingdom Showmen and Van Dwellers’ Protection Association was officially registered soon afterwards, on 24 March 1891.
This fascinating story has been brought together and is available in a detailed history covering the formative years of the Van Dwellers’ Protection Association. It also chronicles the lives of the pioneering showmen who fought for their freedom.
Fortunately, on the day of the launch the snow and ice had gone and allowed people to travel from across the country to attend and receive a copy of the book.
Produced as an A5 hardback volume, with 80 pages of text, it is available as a limited print run of just 250 copies.
Sales
It is available from Fairground Society Sales at £10 plus £3 postage and packing. Cheques payable to The Fairground Society and send to: Hayley Johnson, 301 College Street, Long Eaton NG10 4GJ. If you wish to pay by Bank Transfer our account is NatWest Bank – The Fairground Society – Account No. 47325011 – Sort Code 01-05-48 but please email Hayley CLICK HERE to place the order.