A 45-year-old travelling funfair is hanging up its boots (or stilts) this October. Currently pitched at Reading’s Prospect Park, Carters Steam Fair has a famous past, having featured in films such as Rocketman and Paddington 2. And you know what? Now it could be yours.
The touring fairground opened in 1977 when the owners, Anna and John Carter, bought a horse carousel that dates back to 1895. Soon they became specialists in vintage rides.
Now the fair is operated by their son Joby, 47, who has kept up his parents’ love of old-school attractions. He said it was time to sell what he’s calling the world’s largest vintage funfair as he is struggling with upkeep.
He said a permanent location would be ideal in keeping the fairground alive, adding: ‘We would happily run it ourselves if we thought that someone could help us find a location. We haven’t got the land and haven’t got the big shed. Is there someone out there who has an existing visitor attraction, who could add it to that place and give it a new lease of life?
‘We’re hoping that someone will come along, be it a government body, a council or a trust who believes it’s important and wants to carry it on.’
Interested in taking a look around? You can find out more about the fairground here.
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