Proctor Living Wagons

JC Proctor was a showman himself, and he ran a large works in Leicestershire covering all aspects of wagon building from 1949-53, as well as boat building and other engineering work. His adverts appealed to the showman’s dream: “Just a little something that the others haven’t got.” They were keen on mass production, and invented clever ways of turning a large number of quality wagons out fairly cheaply.

This particular wagon was built in 1950 by the firm for showman Stanley Thurston, who had looked after it well. Apart from a custom-made kitchen built in the 1980s, the van is largely original inside, and is very spacious – a good thing when you’re housing a growing family!

It also has an unusual feature: a window on the blind side. Most living wagons have a windowless side to give them privacy on the fairground, and so there is a wall for fitted cupboards and the fireplace.

This wagon has been part of the fair for several years now, initially owed by John and Anna Carter it was sold to John and Shelley Todd and now is home to Dave and Rosie Healy youngest daughter of John and Anna Carter.

Also, on the fair is its sister wagon, we believe it was built for the David Thurston relation of Stanley Thurston. It has featured in Midsomer Murders and is owned by Kevin, Georgina’s father.