Skip to main content

Nichols Family Collection

 Fonds
Reference code: NFA0029

Scope and Contents

This collection contains amateur Super8 cine reels filmed by Thomas O’Beirne, black and white and colour photographs and slides, circus and theatre posters, a watercolour and a small amount of other ephemera.

Dates

  • Creation: c1920-1939

Creator

Conditions Governing Access

Items are available to view by appointment in the NFCA reading room

Conditions Governing Use

Copies may be supplied or produced at the discretion of National Fairground and Circus Archive, subject to copyright law and condition of the material

Biographical / Historical

The Nichols family are a London based fairground family who continue to travel today.

The Nichols Family have taken fairs to Buckingham for over 100 years. The family business started with William Nichols, a plumber from Forest Gate in London. William started working for Showman Swayle Bolesworth in the early 1900’s, until he eventually bought his own rides and set up his own family business as a travelling showman.

William was the first member of the family to presented the fair at Buckingham Charter Fair in 1918 and his grandson Marshall Nichols, third generation showman from the Nichols family, continues with the tradition today.

In 1923, William Nichols had a steam engine called the Princess Mary, which powered the roundabouts. The family business, now called, Nichols Fun Fairs continues touring the same circuit as the family have done for over 100 years.

Extent

14 Item(s)

Language of Materials

English

Arrangement

Catalogued according to type

Status
Completed
Author
Created by Ian Trowell Updated by Arantza Barrutia on Finding Aid Date field date
Date
23 February 2015
Description rules
International Standard for Archival Description - General
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin

Repository Details

Part of the National Fairground and Circus Archive Repository

Contact:
The University of Sheffield
Western Bank
Sheffield South Yorkshire S10 2TN United Kingdom
0114 222 7231