a fairgound life( stirling castle)
The last couple of weeks have been slow slow slow. If it wasn't for the two breakdowns we had there wouldn't have been any work done at all. The first was during the October break week. It was the pinion mounting bolts that went again on the skydiver. Since we were only one man to a tool, "r" had to replace them all himself while the rest of the kit stayed open. It took him 3 hrs to strip out the pinion. I went and picked up the new machine cap screws. I got a box full this time so I calculate that it will be at least 18 years before I run out, based on 6 bolts every 2 years. When I returned "r" fitted the bolts and built the whole thing back up again, another 3 hours later and the ride was ready for opening just as we were closing! Anyhow we have put a reminder in the log book to change these bolts in two years time, hopefully before we lose another days trade.
The second break down came the next week. The DZ lost oil pressure. I thought it was a pipe but it turned out to be another pipe manifold stud. A repeat of the problem the skydiver had in July. The head of the cap screw popped off letting the oil flow past the o ring destroying it in the process. It happened just as the light was fading and "r" had to wash under the ride using a torch to see. With the spillage cleared up we left it over night. The next morning we located the culprit stud. It was Sunday morning but luckily Bills Tool store at the Barras had the correct studs in stock. Again I purchased a few extra. Another bit of luck was an o ring from the miami being the right size to fit. There was still plenty of oil left in the tank so we got opened. The next day we topped it off with 60 lts of oil. I guess we lost that much.
This week I was at a reception held for the Scottish section of the showmens guild. It was in Stirling Castle's great hall and was hosted by the First Minister himself- Mr Salmon gave us a fine speech that was responded to by our Chairman who spoke equally well. It all went rather splendidly and ran on an hour longer than expected. The finale was a couple of reels played by a band of kilties. Out side the Castle there were two juvenile rides , candy floss and a set of Jumpers. Many thanks to these operators who arrived on site at 6am, built up in the rain and dark. Then opened for free during the afternoon for school children, waited until the gig was over then pulled down in the dark and even more gusting rain. We also had fine examples of working fairground models presented by AG. The guest list included many councillors, provosts, senior police officers, education heads and achievers from our own ranks. I finally got to meet Mrs VM M.B.E, if your reading this V, it was good to meet you in the flesh, keep up the good work. LM was also there with his three medals from the special olympics held in Leicester this year. It was 1560 something since a reception was last held in the great hall! I bet there were a couple of showmen there too, probably juggling or jesting.
Yesterday "r" and I fitted a spare tyre and rack to the miaimi truck chassis. I have had the ride for 7 years with no spare and I've been lucky not to need one thus far, but no worries now, unless I blow out two at once!
5 Comments:
Well for once a half decent days trade at the indoor pitch, although missing getting out and about in what sunshine there was.
Hope sunday is as good as today.
Im with you on buying spares showman as long as they are cheap i will buy a box full, you can never have too many spares.
What happened with the dodgems? When did the fire happen? That must have been a terrible blow to try and re build them?
Have to say showman form that post it sounds like r is doing all the work there? lol. Hope all the usual suspects are well and busy...
fire on the dodgems when did this happen cheers borderer.
Re my previous comment now supported by Borderer as I said: “What fire???”
I’m intrigued. The times I’ve stood by your brother’s dodgem and privately reminisced of happy days in the 70’s and it turns out that everything from the plates up has been renewed. That said you guys have done a remarkable job. Other than Mr B always using two green tarpaulin tops which apart from when open always had to be tightly rolled and lashed down, (ah happy days, what I’d give to still be fit enough to shimmy up onto those trusses without a ladder) and Mr B’s very distinctive and under stated rounding flashes. At least from a distance the machine looks as good as it always did. Remarkable when you think Mr B and his family hand built what is undoubtedly one of the best dodgems ever produced from scratch
Did B ever get his engine problem sorted out and what are you currently using to move the dodgem. The last time I saw it on the road your brother was using an old dark blue 8 x 4 b series. It looked a bit unusual in that the luton body was sitting at a couple of feet up from the cab
The lorry that blew up was scrapped. The dodgem is currently on an 8 x 4 ERF and a new tandem axel box truck pulled by a 4 x2 ERF as for when the dodgem burnt down im not 100% but i was a kid so it would be sometime between 1990-1996 i think
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