A History of Gypsy and Showmen's Living Vans

At last—a history of the evolution of the living wagon, home to traveling folk from gypsies and showmen across the ages. Starting with early bender tents and two-wheeled carts equipped with iron tires, and moving through horse-drawn wagons to today’s modern purpose-built large scale trailers, this book looks at how those living on the road have adapted both their accommodation and their way of life to suit their unique existence and the changing circumstances surrounding them. Lavishly illustrated throughout, the authors consider not only different types of living van across the ages, but also look at the key customs adopted by, and chattels favored by, those who choose to live on the road, including delicate ornate carving, the use of gold leaf and mirrors, as well as chromium plating and the proud display of Crown Derby chinaware. Along the way they explain how some of these customs have spilled over into other cultures, becoming part of our national life.

Allan Ford is active in a number of fairground and showman-related areas and is perhaps best known for reviving the Wall of Death in the UK, having single-handedly rescued the Wall from obscurity in the UK in the 1980s. He been a traveling showman for most of his life and still travels the country cataloging and photographing the showman’s way of life. With Nick, he has written on the canals and Wall of Death, and is much in demand as a public speaker on these subjects and on fairgrounds. Nick Corble has written extensively on the history of Britain's canals. He usually focuses on an aspect of our heritage and how it still reflects in how we live today. Subjects have included the canal network and the fairground attraction the Wall of Death, with his work also featuring in a number of regional and national publications. He has also written books on rambling and walking, making him the ideal person to write an all-encompassing guide to Britain's canals.