Historic Ride joins line up at Fairground Heritage Centre - Dingles Fairground Museum

By: Michael Smith
Added: 22 April 2013

Dingles Fairground Heritage Centre has added another historic ride to its operational line-up for the 2013 season.
Built in 1949 by Streatham-based firm R J Lakin, the ride originally featured streamlined racing cars. Probably one of the last rides delivered by Lakins before they closed down, it was delivered new to Stanley and John Thurston, well known Eastern Counties showmen. In the late 1950s, the original cars were replaced with new cars based on the iconic TV marionette Muffin the Mule. 4 of these cars survive with the ride, along with the beautiful original artwork, designed and painted by Lakin's chief artist Edwin Hall.
The ride is currently on loan to the Centre by its owner. Restoration work has been carried out since it's arrival, including replacing of modern lighting by period lighting appropriate to its age. The ride has now been tested to current H&S requirements and is available to ride alongside many of the Fairground Heritage Centre's other historic rides.