This is taken from the Daily Telegraph - It was John's early Shottesbrooke
rallies and similar that started many of in the hobby.
JOHN CARTER, who has died aged 58, founded one of the best known traditional
steam fairs in Britain. In 1976 Carter and his wife
Anna - at the time still "flatties" (people who live in proper
houses) -acquired a run-down roundabout. He dismantled it, restored it and
took it on the road in 1977.
Over the years, the Carters' collection grew to include many original steam
machines from 19th-century fairgrounds. They had gallopers ("Carousel",
Carter would say is a French word") from 1895, a Gavioli organ of 1900 which
opened the Sunday fair with a hymn overboats frpm the 1870s, Chair-o-Planes
from the 1920s and an old Penny Arcade.
In addition there were 1950s dodgems (all the music being provided by old
rock-and-roll 45s played on original equipment), a 1960s
octopus ride which had once belonged to Gerry Cottle and numerous
side-shows.
The Carters also acquired a fleet of engine-hauled "living vans The family
including five children numerous dogs and grand children would spend seven
months of the year on the
road. They lived in their lov ingly restored wagons resembling Victorian
rail
way saloon cars, painted by Anna Carter in cream, gold
and crimson lake.
John and Anna Carter occupied a Utility-Deco liv-
ing van of 1945, itS panelled parlour fitted with a desk, cupboards and a
dresser in maple, walnut and sycamore. It had a solid green onyx and marble
fireplace so heavy that it made the van lean to one side.
Carter's Royal Berkshire Steam Fair still tours southeast England and it
will soon celebrate its 25th year on the road. The half of the year spent
touring generates enough income to support the family, most of whom are
involved in the business.
Carter was proud of his achievements. "There are not many English families
these days," he once said, "who can say that they run a small business which
provides its members with both a living and a home."
John Carter was, born on October 2 1942, the son of a police sergeant. He
attended art college in Maidenhead and went on to win a place at the Slade.
He had no grant, so he supplemented his income by taking part in stock-car
racing. After 18 months he was expelled from the Slade for spending too much
time racing.
His first job was as a county court bailiff, where his considerable size (a
burly six foot four) proved an advantage. However, he soon moved into show
promotion, organising antique shows, collectors' bazaars, air shows and
steam shows. He was himself an avid collector of jazz records, enamel
advertising signs
and old Fords. In the 1960s he had a record stall in Camden Passage, London,
and set up the Pre-Fifties American Auto Club. He left after three years,
but the organisation still operates today.
Carter was passionate about his steam fair and he despised what he described
as "the sea of plastic signs which passes for the modern funfair" and "the
dismal kitsch of theme parks."
Each ride, trailer and haulage vehicle in the Carter entourage was a piece
of fairground history. The fair attracted many thousand visitors each year.
The singer Michael Jackson, on a tour of Britain, was said to have offered
to buy the lot.
Carter built yards of bookshelves in his living van which he filled with
volumes on Art Deco, steam engines and music.
He was refused membership of the Showman's Guild because he was an
independent showman who had not been born into a show family. Undeterred, in
1985 he established the Society of Independent Roundabout Proprietors.
Carter loved to be on the road. "If I look out of the van for a whole week
at the same view," he said, "I start to feel that I want to get out and move
the trees around."
John Carter was twice married. He had a son and a daughter from his first
marriage, and two daughters and a son from his second marriage.
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