The Coin Operated Kiddy Ride Of Bowes Road

Just along the Bowes Road - near the junction with Brownlow Road - is a sight that is rarely seen anywhere apart from the seaside ... and even then, not seen so often since the 1960s or 70s... so it's a little odd to encounter it on the edge of the North Circuar Road.

Outside Nitin Cash and Carry is a Kiddy Ride in the form of a horse - I understand from the shop owner that this fine creature has been in our neighbourhood for almost 30 years. Well worth a 20p investment!

The rather startling looking stallion (lovely eyelashes!) was originally manufactured by South London Fairground Ride Manufacturer Edwin Hall and Co. of Streatham. From the early 1950s Edwin Hall designed a series of so-called "Kiddy Rides" which were built by hand in their workshops and distributed across the UK to seaside amusement arcades and occasional department stores. When production closed another south London firm Savills took on the maintenance and distribution of Hall's remaining stock but they have now also sadly ceased trading.

Animals like our local horse were very popular and an early exclusive licensing deal on TVs Muffin the Mule proved a particular favourite. The range developed to include rockets, a helicopter and a very desirable Dalek ride.

In their heyday Hall's workshop were featured in a contemporary news report by British Pathe News - Click the image below to witness the delightful scene of a middle aged man in a tweed jacket squeezed into "Kiddy Ride".

Next time you are along there do stop by for a closer look at the Bucking Bronco of Bowes Road!

4 members like this

Comment by Lindsey Berthoud on October 26, 2012 at 16:11: Fab, thanks for the history Richard. I must go and say hello to this hoss.

Comment by Kathleen Duffy on January 24, 2014 at 16:16: Love this! Might sneak a ride after a couple of pints...

Comment by geoffrey biffen on October 30, 2016 at 17:39: watching this video and seeing my dad assembling a horse knocked me for 6 . i was 3 months old when this was filmed ,my dad STAN BIFFEN went on to drive for eddie hall and i spent many happy school holidays with him delivering collecting maintaining and emptying the rides. I have just purchased a chipmunk ride to keep and i do have a photograph of my dad with a KARRIER BANTAM in scotland around 1959 with a MUFFIN THE MULE on its back .i will try and put it on here.GEOFF BIFFEN.

Comment by geoffrey biffen on March 4, 2017 at 15:03

Comment by geoffrey biffen on March 4, 2017 at 15:13: as promised and with some help from my daughter emma here is edwin hall's karrier bantam circa 1960 ish with my late dad stan biffen. the photo was taken in scotland by i believe barrie andrews who became edwins second driver at 17. under the sheet is a muffin the mule. edwin hall sold out to mitchells of skegness around 1976 .when ted saville also purchased some rides which i believe are stored in a warehouse somewhere in croydon allthough i am not sure. thanks geoff biffen

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