Anderton and Rowland
1854 The company was started by Albert H. Haslam, a variety artist, who set up on his own business giving magic exhibitions. His tutor was one Professor Anderson and upon his death Albert assumed the name of Anderton.
The business grew in the North of England until by 1888 it was "Anderton's Anchor Show" and was a large double-fronted outfit. Later this show became "The home of Mysteries."
Later Professor Anderson was assisted by four sons one of who became known as Captain Rowland and two daughters, one called Martha.
The show developed to become "Anderton & Haslams No 1 Royal Managerie"
1896 They teamed up with the Ginnett circus family to become "Fourpawrs Circus and Managerie."
By 1900 the company were travelling as "Professor Anderton and Captain Rowlands Combined show." This was a performing animal and living picture variety show with an 87 key Gaviolli organ and a Savage Brothers steam engine incorporated into it.
In 1903, the variety show first travelled under the name of Anderton and Rowland, the name that has been in existence ever since.
Meanwhile a certain George De-Vey had been born in France on 10th December 1867 and had come to England with his parents shortly after he was born. He met and fell in love with Martha and they were married in 1902. George De-Vey was a visionary and persuaded Professor Anderton to invest in a riding machine.
In 1905 a set of Savage Gondolas with a spinning top was purchased. The Anderton boys and George De-Vey developed the business into four cinemas and the travelling amusements the travelling shows being run by George De-Vey, Albert Anderton Jnr and Arthur Anderton (Captain Rowland).
1909 Albert Anderton Senior died
1912 a set of Savage Steam motors was acquired and the organ moved from the theatre to take its place in the centre of the ride.
The firm continued to expand with a base being opened in Bristol
When the Hancock fairground operation ended, a second base was opened in Plymouth.
The firm ran two separate sections (as they still do today) one from Bristol to Plymouth and the Regatta fairs of Devon and the other, under Captain Rowland, from Plymouth and Cornwall. Even today the firm still has the number one and two sections which only join up for their largest fairs.
1921 one of the firms most famous rides the Orton and Spooner Super Scenic, the "Golden Dragons", was delivered. This replaced the steam motors which (it is believed) were sold on. A Mountain Glide and a set of four-a-breast gallopers followed until by the 1920s the firm travelled a great number of novelty rides and attractions.
1929 the scenic cars were changed to Dolphins and two dodgem tracks and an Ark was acquired.
1931, George De-Vey died having built up with his family the most formidable travelling amusement business of the West Country. In the same year, the company bought a new Ark from Orton and Spooner. The machine was a five hill model that was subsequently re-built as a four hill one.
1933 a swirl was delivered but replaced by a Mont Blanc in 1934. A large dodgem track was purchased and in 1936 the Dolphins were modernised to try and compete with the newer rides. Now known as the Brookland racer it was a great attempt to add life to a machine that was no longer popular and although the firm kept operating the machine until 1938 its golden days were past and it was packed away forever at the end of the season.
WWII the company were only able to open an Ark under Mrs George De-Vey junior and a Dodgem speedway at Taunton
post-WWII the company started to travel again, first updating the Ark including the front of the Dragon Scenic; several other rides were renewed or replaced.
1947 the company purchased an Autodrome with a typical post war modernist front. This ride still exists but is now owned by a member or the Ayres family and opens as a Waltzer.
By 1954, the company's centenary, they had purchased an American Whip, making 31 machines since the purchase of the Gondolas.
The firm continued to modernise until by the late 1960s they were travelling two Dodgems and an Ark, a variety of juveniles and a twist.
Early 1970s Michael De-Vey purchased a Twist and this started a sequence of purchases of modern rides.
See Also
Sources of Information
- [1] Cornish Fun Fairs