An Irvin fairground Twister.
GEORGE IRVIN, BORN 1930
Ishowman
George Irvin was a member of a six generation family of showmen who owned and ran funfairs around London. These included roundabouts, helter skelters, dodgem cars, aerial experiences, and stalls such as coconut shies. It all started in 1843 when Bennett Phelps, father-in-law of William Irvin travelled with dancing booths and a forerunner to the carousel: a ‘dobby ride’ made from wooden horses on poles, powered by a live pony. His son-in-law William persuaded Phelps to invest in a steam carousel, and things took off. A century later George Irivin, the subject of this life story, saw the Irvin funfairs through the Second World War. Although the traditionally bright fairground lights had to be dimmed as an air raid precaution, the Government encouraged the funfairs to continue as a boost to morale.