New in 1947 to John Studt it was never fitted with a coach built body. In 1962, the Showtrac passed to John Studts son Edward, in whose ownership a modern cab was fitted .It was loaned to his son in law Abie Danter, who used it with his Noah's Ark, but later returned it to Studts .It was retired from the fairs in 1974 and later passed into preservation.It has remained in storage for some time.

The appearance was of great interest to the Scammell Register, who had a stand on site. Pete also exhibited the 1958 Scammell Highwayman (UYP 867) Shelby, which was new to Shell, being one of the first batches of five to be supplied with Leyland 680 engines. Named after Pete's daughter, the immaculate vehicle is displayed in a traditional fairground livery of scarlet with gold lining.

Pete's two Scammell's were joined by the three Anderton & Rowland Showtracs on display at Dingles,The Gladiator, Dragon and John Bull. George DeVey hopes to take the Gladiator to a few fairs next season. Another ex A&R favourite is Steve Shea's Scammell Highwayman, Demetrius, formerly used by George with his Dodgem and still in A&R livery. The Rowe Hillmaster in the bright yellow livery of R.Dingle, Road Builders was exhibited by Andy Shortridge This is an extremely rare vehicle and was made by the small Cornish firm of M. G. Rowe (Motors) Ltd.. They made an entry into the PSV chassis market in 1953, when the managing director, Mr. Maurice Rowe, who had visited the 1952 Earls Court Commercial Motor Show and taken an instant liking to the new Meadows 4DC engine, had one delivered and immediately set to work designing a chassis around it.

The name Hillmaster was given to the prototype front-engined lightweight chassis with a relatively long wheelbase that emerged. Transmission was via a single dry-plate clutch to a Meadows five-speed overdrive-top gearbox and a three-piece propeller shaft to a fully floating hypoid-driven axle. The chassis was not developed commercially and just a few were produced.

Tom Robinson brought along his Scammell, Noggy and fellow return visitors Derek and Sandra Hallet exhibited their 1942 Scammell chain drive, Gentle Giant. Presented in superb condition, this is a popular rally exhibit, along with the very attractive 1920 Brayshaw traditional living wagon.

Also on display at the centre was the Charles Heal chain drive Scammell The Rocket, restored to a very high standard.

Replicated in one twelfth scale, Terry Norman's model Scammell's are a popular exhibit and Terry's handiwork is featured in the FHT's latest book, The Anderton &Rowland Photo Album.

Other model exhibitors included Barrie Ratcliffe, Arthur Dyke, Pam and Tom Robertson, Nigel Burgess and Jessie and Gerard Pole. Jim Greenwood, well know for his card model, recently donated a recently made model of a traction engine ,and the cash raised, he generously gave to the charity collecting money to build a children' hospice, Elli's Haven , at Looe in Cornwall. The cheque was presented to Looe residents, Tom and Pam Robertson, on behalf of the charity.

Trade exhibits were presented by Dave Homer, Aubrey Tumon and Rod Spooner. Splendid sunny weather, absent for most of the summer, prevailed for the whole weekend, keeping visitor numbers down a touch on recent weekends. Insect Circus Museum.

A visit by the highly acclaimed Insect Circus Museum on 29/31st August, proved to be particularly popular, with some very favorable media coverage prior to the event. The eclectic collection is housed in a vintage, mahogany lined, Bedford TK beetlebox lorry, the unique museum displays a stunning array of costumes, props, puppets, toys and ephemera from the extraordinary collection of the Insect Circus Society. The traveling museum and mechanical menagerie have been invited to return next year.

The Heritage Centre has recently purchased some glass showcases to exhibit the growing collection of models on permanent display. The Vintage Aracde continues to expand, to such an extent that it is being extended and its position moved in the near future. Its place will be taken by the 1940's Ghost Train, the renovation of which is now well under way.

Next season the exhibits will have a fresh layout. It is hoped the Skid will be open at some point. Work is continuing, with painting, carpentry and re wiring work all taking place.

Work will continue over the coming months to further enhance the ride. The driving platform has been heightened and strengthened by volunteer joiner Phil, Rexham who has also made some made some superb access steps. Mick Goulding is in the process of making and painting replacement front full-height uprights, similar in style to those once used on the ride in its Wilson days.

Being so late in the season, and with a full programme of activities already planned, it was decided to postpone the official opening until the start of the new season, and this took place Thursday 26 March. Friends of the Fairground Heritage Trust, guests, and representatives of the media gathered at the centre to see the ride officially opened by Ramon Henderson, Senior Vice President of the Showmen's Guild. Ramon is a keen supporter of the Trust and cut the first turf at the start of the construction of the new Fairground Museum Building. Ramon was accompanied by wife Vicki, the recent recipient of a Guild Life Membership. The aim of the FHT is to preserve our fairground heritage for future generations and it was encouraging to see many local show people joined by others, from as far apart as Lancashire and London, making the effort to visit the centre. Guests included the Mayor and Mayoress of Tavistock.

The Mayor Councillor Robin Pike, a keen supporter of the town's Goose fair, made a short speech about the importance of the Fairground Centre as a first class tourist attraction for the area. A visit, said Cllr Pike, was both educational and entertaining. Other civic guests included the Mayor of West Devon, Councillor Terence Pearce and Councillor Roy Lucas leader of North Devon District Council. All three civic guests have close links to fairs in their boroughs. Closely associated with the return of the Rodeo Switchback to the UK after its spell in the States were Stephen and Vicky Postlethwaite, Tim Blyth and Arthur Thompson.

Tim travelled to the United States to asses the condition of the machine and he and Stephen purchased the ride and arranged for its return to these shores, and its restoration and travelling. Vicky, along with Billy Hall (ex-Lakins and Hall & Fowle), was responsible for redecorating the machine. Arthur Thompson was a member of the company formed by Stephen and Tim, Switchback Ventures Ltd, which operated the machine at fairs and rallies upon completion of restoration. Well-known showman Billy Cole was also present. Bill's family lent a great deal of assistance to Switchback Ventures., as well as being a long term supporter of the FHT Stephen Smith and Kevin Scrivens have been researching the history of the ride, and have come up with much fresh information and photos. This will be published very shortly in the form a booklet, which it is hoped will raise further funds for the continued conservation work on the Trust's collection. Watch out for details of the publication of this new book later this year. The Trust also have a number of other books being prepared for publication, including one on Ghost Trains.

Supersonic Skid
Having completed the essential work on the Rodeo Switchback, work commenced on the ex-Edwards' Supersonic Skid over the closed season, with a view to having this up and running during the latter part of the 2009 season.

Much work has already been completed with the construction of the 42 new timber floor sections, plus refurbishment of the cars, cleaning and shotblasting of the main drive cog. The starter has been overhauled by Steve Tooley, who also generously did the starters for the ark, dodgems and switchback. The next step is to paint the outer and inner portions of the new floor sections, and refurbish and re-affix the steel plates. The handrails have been repaired and refitted by volunteer joiner Phil Rexham, with assistance from Mark and Mike.

There is still an urgent need to raise more funds to ensure the continued success of the Fairground Heritage Centre, and it is anticipated the essential work to the skid will cost in the region of £10,000. Donations will mainly support the purchase of materials, with much of the work being carried out by a team of volunteers under the guidance of Frank Edwards., acting as project manager. In addition to the new floor, and refurbishment of the cars, the machine will require a complete re-wire. It is also planned to renew or rebuild the fishplates and fit new wire ropes. Anyone interested in assisting can contact Frank on 07860 846787, with offers of sponsorship, donations of materials, or to join the volunteers working on site. The ride was built by Lakins for Hill Brothers in 1937, and was acquired by the Edwards firm in 1943. Progressively rebuilt by the family, the ride features stunning artwork by Fred Fowle. It travelled with Edwards for many years, being last used in the late-70s.

Carnival of the Bizarre
During April we held a weekend of celebration of the traditional Fairground Show. The Tom Norman Parading Show front is currently on loan to the museum, and this was used as a focal point for the weekend. The event was headlined by the amazing Professor Voltini and his glamorous assistant Madam Electra. The Professor, aka Sebastian Vittorini, a former performer at the Circus of Horrors, presented an 'electrocution' show. This was based on the performances of Henry Transtrom and Dr Walford Bodie during the first half of the 20th century. Sebastian is also noted as a sword swallower, and this was duly performed many times each day. Supporting attractions included Elfic the uni-cycling Juggler, The Great Kondini, a wonderful fire eater and human toolbox, a great local rock band, 'The Adventures Of…', and last but least 'The Naughty Toes and Muffin Tops': very glamorous (and popular) burlesque dancers.

Stalls and games
The throwing games, loaned by Chris and Charlotte Davis, and George and Pearl Rowland, have been bringing delight to many youngsters who have not seen traditional games such as a coconut sheet and plate smasher before. The Trust's latest acquisition, a 36ft pre-war side joint, operated by the late John and Joyce Cole, was delivered last summer by John's daughter Sarah and son in law Henry Chipperfield. The joint was originally travelled by Tommy Hutchins, Joyce Cole's father, whose name it still carries. It was the late John Coles wish that this be donated to Dingles.

The joint is being used to accommodate two dart games, and it is hoped to add a couple of further games, including a cork shooter. As well as proving entertainment for our visitors, these old games also make an important contribution to our finances.

Also in the summer, the Trust took the opportunity to swap a large Lakin roundstall, donated by the Darby family, for a smaller stall. The Lakin stall, which had recent and unremarkable decoration, was passed on to David Littleboy, with the blessing of the Darbys. In return the Trust acquired a much smaller (and more usable) stall complete with late 50s or early 60s "Beat the Clock" game, and gag cards, which has proved very popular.

As far as side joints go, we would love to operate a Clowns Head or Ducks games. These were first produced by Hawtins of Blackpool in the 1940s, and are an important piece of fairground history. Although we have a number of individual Clowns heads on display we do not have a full game. Perhaps you have a tea chest full of old swag packed way somewhere. If so, we would love to add this to our collection. We would also like to expand our selection of traditional games, which as well as entertaining our visitors, can also provide much needed revenue to help us maintain the Fairground Heritage Centre. We are not in position to purchase such items, but if you do not wish to donate items we are pleased to accept them on loan.

Finally, no one can mind like showman! If you live in Devon and could spare a few afternoons to mind a stall for us we would be delighted to hear from you. If you are in the area and have not discovered Dingles, please do call in and see our collection. Living wagons, artwork, carvings, games, rides and an excellent café. We even have the Guild centenary arch, painted for their 100th anniversary, on display.

Percival's Palace of Pleasure
Our vintage slot machine arcade, loaned by Edward Percival and family, continues to go from strength to strength. Richard and David Cadell, who run the Fun City Park, at Brean, in Somerset, have very generously donated a change machine, 1966 Williams Pintable, Steer a Coin and Streets' Snap Machines. The latter two date from the 1970s, and it is important we display machines from this era, as of course many of our visitors can relate to these, more so than our older machines.

Robert Phipps and Simon DeVey also kindly donated a 1960's Cromptons' Cakewalk pusher, once travelled by the late Joe and Joan Brewer, This has been in dry storage at Cullompton for 20 odd years, and after a little attention is now working and providing much needed revenue.

Kevin Gamlen is providing a wonderful, and ever increasing, selection of unusual machines, including a small merchandiser and a Triple Tap, with more on their way. Other recent additions include an Electradart and an unusual Catch a Clown, provided by Trustee Michael Smith. We are currently seeking additional items to go into our very popular Penny arcade, which we intend to relocate double in size during the 2009 season. All boxes are operated on current currency. We already have a number of extra machines promised, but would welcome more machines of all types, especially some working models.

Brewer family Living Wagon
FHT supporter, travelling showman Joe Brewer passed away in April 2008 at the age of 88. For many years Joe, along with Sister Joan, travelled an arcade, shooter and other games, on the Anderton & Rowland No 1 section Joe and Joan's father, Joe snr, known as Skipper Joe was an engine driver and the manager of the famous Anderton & Rowland four abreast gallopers during the 1920s. After the gallopers were packed away, Joe and Carrie Brewer remained as tenants of the DeVey family for many years.

It was Joe's wish that the wagon came to the Fairground Heritage Centre to be preserved. Joe's Sister, Pat Thomas, left the wagon in the care of FHT Press Officer, Guy Belshaw, a friend of Joe's for many years. The wagon was new to their parents Joe and Caroline in 1953, and built to order by Bill May of Pinhoe, Exeter. The van was ordered in November 1949, with a deposit of £10. It was one of just five or so made by May.