THE BLOXIDGE TALLYGRAPH

The Mayor of Walsall, Councillor John O'Hare, opens Walsall Town Show. L to R: Mayoress Diane Leese, the Mayor, Councillor Anthony Harris, WW2 veterans and former employees of Pat Collins Mr. Jim Ryan and Mr. James Williams, Snr.

Dateline:  10 August 2009

Walsall kept the flag flying for Pat Collins over the weekend when thousands packed the Arboretum extension to enjoy all the fun of the fair at an event celebrating his 150th birthday.

"The King of Showmen" was based in Walsall and Bloxwich from the late 1800s to his death in 1943, and became a much-loved legend in his adopted home, Bloxwich, especially.  World-famous, his Amusement Empire sent travelling fairs and built fairgrounds all over the UK.

Organised by Councillor Anthony Harris (proprietor of the modern Pat Collins Fun Fairs) and his showland family, with the support of Walsall Council, Walsall Town Show was opened by the Mayor of Walsall Councillor John O'Hare, who was joined by members of both the Collins and the Harris families, and guests.

Amongst other historic fairground vehicles and organs, Pat Collins' showman's traction engine 'Wait and See' (bought 1923) powered the amazing 1908 Wonderland Organ from Pat's early travelling Bioscope cinema.  A fine display of preserved Showman's tractor units and lorries represented the post-war era of the company in evocative fashion.  And a Model Show marquee containing many superb models of fairground rides and transport built by skilled enthusiasts from far and wide was complemented by an historical display presented by Walsall Local History Centre.  A multitude of stalls and displays around the field supported the main attractions.

Thrill-seekers of all ages from across the borough and beyond flocked through the gates to enjoy ever-popular modern Pat Collins Fun Fair white-knuckle monsters like 'Scream', 'Chaos' and 'City Hopper', the latter run by Charles Harris, son of Anthony.  They were complemented by traditional rides such as the historic 'Chair-O-Planes', 'Waltzer', 'Ghost Train' and 'Dodgems'.  The icing on the cake was provided by amazing monster trucks and incredible motorbike stunts in the arena.

With this year's Walsall Town Show show a huge success, plans are already being made for for next year's event, with a different theme.  Hopefully the weather will be as good for that weekend!

ILLUSTRATED REPORT AND PHOTO ALBUMS TO FOLLOW

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