The
origins of the UK Showmen and Van Dwellers' Protection Association.
When the Movable Dwellings Bill was
introduced into Parliament, few van-dwellers were aware of how great
a threat it posed to them. In the nineteenth century all kinds of
people were occupying travelling vans, including a growing number of
people who attended fairs. Some of them sold toys, sweets and other
goods. Some travelled games. Some were the proprietors of Shooting
galleries, swing boats and roundabouts. Others presented shows from
booths. In 1891, these groups began to work together, to fight for
their rights. George Smith's Bill could have caused their extinction
as a class, but the fairground community fought for its freedom. The
result was the formation of the United Kingdom Showmen and Van
Dwellers' Protection Association. |
