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Irvin Amusements Rides, Stalls,
Entertainment and fun for all !!!
WELCOME
To
The Irvin History
Serving the country through the reigns of Queen Victoria - Elizabeth II
"I would like to thank you for taking the time to read through the following brief insight into our family history.
It has been my privilege to be Group Chairman and Managing Director of our company since 1988, during which I have upheld the taditions and high standards of our family run business. I sincerely hope our service to you will reinforce this sentiment.
One hundred and twenty years in business is a remarkable ladmark for any company, but thanks to loyal and long serving staff throughout these past one hundred and twenty years, Irvin Amusements has maintained the highest values, ideals and professionalism. The fact that we continue to grow is testiment to the service that we give to the public.
The proceeding information is a snapshot through one hundred and twenty fascinating years chronicaling some of the major developments and footholds for part of English culture. As the oldestfunfair company in the country, the families history is a unique record of past times.
However, we do not just look back. We also look forward to providing communities across the country and events for companies and private individuals, with the quality of service that has been the hallmark of our company for all of this time."
Ben Irvin
2009
OUR FAMILY MOTTO:-
"To serve and strive for excellence through experience, dedication to safety and fun"
Irvin Amusements traces its roots in the travelling amusements industry back to 1889 over 6 generations, and like other travelling show families our story is one of perserverance and success, and times of adversity and tragedy.
In the 1890's, Bristol was a thriving port and the developing city stood on the edge of an unstoppable industrial revolution.
For many youngsters at this time, education offered a luxurious choice for the diligent to learn how to read and write and become priviliged academics, or survival through non participation.
A young wiry lad, Mr Ben Phelps took it upon himself to choose the first option and enjoyed his schooling with classmate, Benjamin Disraeli, who continued a scholarly education and became a statesman. The young Ben Phelps, just thirteen, chose to leave Bristol and his family with aspirations of a better life. Penniless, his adventure began to unfold.
England had a population of about 34 million in the 1890's and for Ben to survive he would have to live by his wits and work particularly hard. After an arduous spell working on farms and the odd factory around London, Ben was able to return to his native county with enough money to begin a small business. He fell in love with a local girl and they were soon married. Together they opened a lively dancing booth which they travelled with alongside other fairs around the country. Ben became reveered for his skills as a self taught fiddle player, enhancing fairs and events wherever he went. Ben sired a beautiful daughter, Harriet, who inherited her parents country charm and love for life. eventually she married a showman from London, Mr William Irvin. As William established himself with travelling showmen as a highly proficient mechanical engineer, his four brothers develpoed their own specialist skillsets in the fairground business. Strategically, each spread themselves around the country whilst maintaining a true brotherly loyalty and communication. Their synergy took Henry to Scotland, George to the arable farming counties in the East of England, James travelling nationally with his Hoopla speciality, and John develped a profitable circus and went to America.
Harriet's father, ben, purchased a Carouselby the way of a loan. A favourite attraction and guaranteed crowd attraction whenever it was set up. as Ben's health began to decline, he entrusted Mr William Irvin to set up and run it on behalf of the family. However, Ben died in 1902 and consequently the family were unable to keep up the loan repayments. It was a question of time before the ride was repossed, dealing the family a significant set back. Undaunted, and realising the potential profits such a ride could achieve, William bravely purchased another. The new Carousel was worked all over the country, yeilding the anticipated profits that William was determined to make. The same Carousel, with the exception of a few modifications over the years, stayed within the Irvin family for over a century.
The finacial success of the Irvin family became marred twice during the 1900's. William and Harriet were doting parentsto their beloved children, two sons and a daughter, Ruby. The first tragedy struck when Ruby was walking through Bristol's bustling centre. Misjudging the distance between the pavement and an oncoming train, Ruby was fatally struck and died of multiple injuries.
The onset of the first world war ensured that every able bodied male in the United Kingdom had to contribute towards the war effort. Those not sent to the front line trenches of Northern Europe were kept at home to maintain supplies and ensure the economy ticked over. William Irvin's war contribution detailed him to arduous, unrelenting mobility of logs and timber by traction engine for construction of carts, lorries munition supplies destined for the front line. Rough terrain and a determination to meet a war commitment deadline caused his traction engine to slide on wet mud, crushing him to death whilst exhausted.
Heartbroken, but determined to maintain a living for her surving sons, Harriet Irvin took over the day to day running of Irvin Amusements and based herself close to the army camps near Farnham, Aldershot and Reading. Boosting troop moral was a key objective to help them overcome their anxieties.
Harriet Irvin died peacefully of old age in 1932, aged 76. Hundreds of showpeople paid their respects at Harriet's funeral, remembering her as a loyal mother, working every day to the very end of her life.
The profitable and much prized Carousel became the property of Mr George Irvin. The fairground industry enjoyed something of a bonanzer during the interwar period. As the family income boomed, Irvin Amusements grew stronger and stronger.
During the second world war, street parties and street entertainment was organised in major cities as often as possible. These were difficult and dangerous, but recognised by the war cabinet, and ultimately by Winston Churchill, as psychologically vital for maintaining moral amoungst families during and after the "Blitzkrieg" raids. These were lean times for Irvin Amusements, who recieved no revenue during the war years.
The close of World War II in 1945 marked the sad passing away of George's wife, Lilly, aged only 48. The bereaved widower continued to run the business with the help of his young children who leaned towards their fathers' funfair business, fending for themselves without a mother figure.
The three sons were called George, and twins Billy and Benny. Their father decided to divide the resposibility of the rides between them. Billy organised the Victorian Skid, Benny organised and maintained the Carousel, whilst George ranand maintained the Dodgems. By this time the beautiful, but slow, traction engines such as, "Marvel" and "Marvellous". Traction engines became shut away, forgotten or scrapped, only to experience a later revival after restoration for specialist steam events.
Today, a hundred and twenty years later, much has changed at Irvin's Amusements, but equally much has stayed the same: professionalism, high standards and a devotion to entertain the public. With its vastly experienced and loyal members of staff, the company is proud to continue a tradition of service that began one hundred and twenty years ago and has never faltered.
Today, Ben Irvin is Chairman & Managing Director, while Lisa, his wife and mother of Prescilla, sit on the board of Directors with him. Despite evolving into one of the country's largest funfare companies, Irvin Amusements remains a family run concern aiming to continue its expansion and development program with care, honesty and dedication.
Irvin Amusements are members of the Guild of Showman, and the company adheres strictly to its code of practice.
Fun Fair Hire
We are specialists in Fun Fair Hire and can provide a vast range of rides to suit all requirements. Irvins Amusements is the newest in a long line of fun fair specialist and have been involved in the field of Fairground Attractions for years with many big projects under our belts to date. Our fun fair hire services can cater for individuals, parties, weddings, firework events, concerts, TV and film work, and any other occasion - nothing is too big or too small. We boast a wide selection of rides from Musical Carousels, Big Wheel, Waltzers, Orbitors, Simulators, Dodgems and many more of your favourite rides.
Insurance & Safety
Irvins Amusements are fully covered by Public & Employers' Liability insurance and each ride has been issued with a safety certificate by an engineer licensed by the Department of the Enviroment.
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