THE SHOWMAN
January 2010
NEWSLETTER
Welcome... to the first of what is hoped, and planned,
to be a more regular ACES newsletter. If you have opted
to download it from the ACES website, thank you for
helping to keep the Societies costs down.
The format for this first “new look” newsletter is a work
in progress so any input you have would be greatly valued.
There will be a feature each quarter called “Meet The
Member” where we’ll spot-light a member so if you’d like
to nominate yourself (or others) please let us know.
This will add extra relevant content to the site which will
hopefully mean that search engines will start to direct
bookers of such things to the site and in turn members
will subsequently get work enquiries. This feature will
also help other members who want to pass work on
because they are already booked on a date or are asked
by a client “Do you know anyone who does...”.
There is also hidden Members Page on the site giving
option to download the Newsletters instead of it being
printed and mailed out. This will obviously save the
Society money in stamps/envelpoes etc.
Also if there are any websites, exhibitions or news that
you know about that would be of interest to other
A.C.E.S. members, please let us know. The greater
the input from everyone, the more being a member
becomes a necessity rather than an advantage.
SPRING MEETING
The next A.C.E.S meeting is on
Sunday 21st March 2010 at 1pm.
All are welcome. The more
present the better the meeting
will be. Plus it’s always worth
bringing some calling cards with
you to give out. After all, who
doesn’t need some extra bookings this coming season ?
If you have received this newsletter by post, the website
address for the Members Page is as follows...
Www.amusementcateringequipmentsociety.com/members2010.htm
The venue will once again be Gaydon Village Hall,
Church Road, Gaydon, Warwickshire. CV35 0ET. It’s
about one mile off of the M40 at junction 12.
This page will change each year so that only members
can reach it.
Head towards the village from the motorway (B4451).
Over the roundabout and then left into Church Road.
You’ll see signs for The Malt Shovel pub which is
almost opposite the hall. There is an Esso garage off of
the first exit of the roundabout (which you went over)
if you need fuel or snacks. The pub does do food
though if you fancy something special. The hall does
not have an off-road car park so parking is in the street.
WORLD CUP FINALS 2010
June 11th to July 11th
It’s the World Cup Finals this
year in South Africa. Great if
you're a football fan, sometimes
not so good for event organisers
with possible late minute
cancellations etc because of the footy.
The England group matches are as follows,
Although this new venue may be slightly longer in
milage for some, as it’s just off the motorway so it’s
actually probably measurably shorter time-wise as
there’s no twisting and turning through country roads.
Saturday June 12th - 7.30pm kick-off
Friday June 18th - 7.30pm kick off
Wednesday June 23rd - 3.00pm kick-off
The meeting will finish by 4pm and there’s tea/coffee
and biccy’s as well !
A.C.E.S. WEBSITE.
There are plans to add some features onto the A.C.E.S.
website. First, for all those that want to be included, a
brief directory of members and the services they supply.
It’s worth making a note in your diaries as these dates
are going to possibly cause problems for events booked
on them. Even other Group C matches (which is
England’s group) could affect us, as well as other “top
teams” fixtures. The further that the England team get
in the competition will only add to the negative knockon effect. However, I’m sure we all wish them the best
of luck in South Africa.
PAGE 1
A.C.E.S. NEWSLETTER
January 2010
MEET THE MEMBERS.
.
In each Newsletter this section will spotlight an A.C.E.S.
member. A point that was raised at the A.G.M. was
“What type of people are members of A.C.E.S. ?” As
the question was posed by Amanda Saville, who had
travelled all the way down from Lockerbie in
Dumfriesshire for the A.G.M. we thought she would
be an ideal candidate for the first article.
The Chariots of Fire Display Team
A short description of what you do.
With 15 years experience on the show circuit Amanda
Saville has refined her rivetting Chariots of Fire displays
to include driving sheep and a bullock (subject to
DEFRA movement regulations) along with a team of
stunt ponies! The skill and speed of the various
formations enthral the crowd every time with driving of
hair's breadth accuracy. The show is brought alive by
Amanda's enthusiastic commentary as she flies around
the arena jumping obstacles in her carriage. The only
display team to our knowledge in the world that does
such stunts. The fire stunts are as unforgettable as ever,
demonstrating the complete trust between Amanda and
her ponies as she drives through fire poles and over
blazing jumps.
Give details of one of your most memorable jobs/events.
Great Yorkshire Show - my front tooth fell out and had
to be stuck back in by the vet and superglue - and my
jod’s split when I got off the carriage at the same event!
Paard Koets Equine event in Holland - driving the fire
stunts with a pair of ponies indoors under just a
spotlight. Amazing atmosphere!
Who would book you ?
Large County shows down to small town galas and
private/corporate events.
Fun question - Your pet hate at an event ?
Poor liaison between us and main ring stewards when
the ring is running late.
A description of a typical job / event you would attend.
The full spectrum from large County shows down to
small town galas and private/corporate events.
Your contact details.
The Chariots of Fire Driving Centre
Nether Boreland, Boreland, Lockerbie, Dumfriesshire
DG11 2LL
Tel / Fax: 01576 610248/610278 Mobile: 077100 53777
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: www.chariots.org.uk
How did you get into doing what you do ?
I worked on the show circuit selling clothes and gifts.
Just loved the atmosphere and knew I could put together
an arena performance to thrill audiences.
PAGE 2
A.C.E.S. NEWSLETTER
CPC - Certificate of Professional Competence.
Written by Phil Pike.
From 10th September 2009
those lovely EU (EU
Directive 2003/59) have
brought in a scheme for
drivers that affects drivers of
all vehicles 3.5 tons and
above. In fact to quote the
Transport Office website,
“A new qualification for professional bus, coach and
lorry drivers - the Driver Certificate of Professional
Competence (Driver CPC) is coming. In future, just
holding a vocational driving licence will not be sufficient
for someone who wishes to drive these vehicles for a
living. In order to maintain their Driver CPC, all
category C and D licence holders (including C, C1, C1E
and D, D1, DE, D1E) will be required to undertake 35
hours Periodic Training every 5 years. “
January 2010
members and Showman who transport their equipment
to events are classed as “incidental drivers” under the
CPC scheme, it was pointed out to me that this is a new
scheme and there has not been any “test” cases yet
legally to the exemptions.
Also note that drivers can move in and out of an
exemption depending on the circumstances in which they
are driving.
Http://www.dvtani.gov.uk/drivercpc/exemptions.asp
Some of the following questions have been raised at
A.C.E.S. meetings and we’d be interested in members
comments or experiences on the following subjects.
I spoke to DSA about this earlier last year and I was told
this training was in two parts. First a theory multiple
choice test with the second being practical. The chap I
spoke to said the practical test will be identical each time.
Then after 5 years, you do the whole lot again.
A quick search on the internet shows that courses for this
are around the £150.00 mark, that’s per driver, per year !
# Members experiences with TFL
regarding the London
emissions zone.
# The buying and use of biodiesel, suggestions etc.
# Getting your vehicle registered
as a Showman’s or Special
vehicle with the DVLA.
The scheme came into effect for HGV drivers September
2009 but you do not have to have had the first course by
this point.
Do you have a Hot Topic for
which members may be able to
offer advice ? Please let us know.
Advice given to me by the DSA (including the RHA) was
that all drivers were affected. However I found an
exclusion on the DSA website of...
The Society can be a wealth of
information and experience, a
problem shared is sometimes a problem solved. That’s
just one of the benefits of being a member.
# Carrying material or equipment to be used by that
person in the course of his or her work, provided that
driving that vehicle does not constitute the driver's
principal activity*
The asterix explained thus,
*An example of a driver under exemption vii (also known
as 'incidental driver') would be a brick layer who drives
a load of bricks from the builder's yard to the building
site and then spends their working day laying bricks. In
this case, driving a lorry is incidental to their main
occupation.
So I contacted the DSA again (January 2010). My
question was met with “No, you are not exempt !”.
“But” I replied “what about the incidental driver
exemption?”. “One moment please, I’ll check”, was
followed by a reluctant “Yes you seem to be covered sir”.
YOUR SOCIETY
NEEDS YOU !
SPRING NEWSLETTER.
The next newsletter will be out mid April
and will include a roundup of the A.C.E.S.
spring meeting.
As already mentioned, it saves the Society money if
members download it themselves from the website
(which saves over 50p per member per issue).
It you can help by accepting future newsletters
electronically in future, please send a blank email to
[email protected] with “ACES member” in the
subject line. If you do, an email will be sent to
announce that the newsletter is ready to be downloaded
or read via the members page of the website.
Otherwise (or if you would prefer) a hard copy will be
A note though - If you pay someone as a driver or solely
sent by post.
to drive, they are not exempt. Plus although A.C.E.S. PAGE 3
A.C.E.S. NEWSLETTER
IN THE NEWS
A.C.E.S MEMBER GETS MBE !
Ringmaster and A.C.E.S. member Norman Barrett has
been awarded an MBE in the New Years Honours List.
Norman spent 25 years working at the Blackpool Tower
Circus and has countless TV appearances to his name.
Currently performing with Zippos Circus, which he
joined in 2001, he is reported to be “absolutely thrilled
and humbled” with the award, adding "As well as being
over the moon personally, I am also delighted for the
circus industry."
Norman Barrett MBE, Paul Newman & fellow clown Charlie Cairoli.
Norman added “Awards of this nature are very rarely
given to individuals in my profession, especially when
compared to other forms of entertainment such as film
and theatre”.
"This is a real boost for circus and in my view gives the
art form the recognition it truly deserves and, sadly in
modern times, so rarely gets."
CHITTY CHITTY BANG BANG CAROUSEL TOO
NOISY FOR NORFOLK PLANERS.
The original carousel that featured in the film Chitty
Chitty Bang Bang is subject to a planning appeal as this
newsletter goes out.
January 2010
It not only has appeared
in the 1968 film Chitty
Chitty Bang Bang and the
1967 Tommy Steele film
Half A Sixpence, but also
appeared at a Buckingham
Palace charity event at the
request of the Queen.
The original application
was denied by 9 votes to 1.
However an acoustics
expert said these concerns
can be rendered by making
changes to the rides set-up
and positioning of the
gallopers. The appeal is on 19th January in Cromer.
SHOWZAM 2010
Billed as “Bringing
together the skills,
talents and theatrical
expertise of world
famous performers
from circus and
magic”, Blackpool’s third annual Festival of
Circus takes place from 12th to 21st February. The
festival even has a workshop ran by a leading
psychologist for suffers of “coulrophobia”, the fear of
clowns !
HYPNOTIST PUTS HIMSELF INTO TRANCE.
You may have seen this in the
“quirkies” that appear in the news.
THE LIGHTER SIDE
Helmut Kichmeier from South
London was training for a new
sword swallowing Circus Of Horrors
act. He took a hypnotism course as
part of the act involves putting himself
into a trance to swallow multiple 4ft sabres.
He tried his new found skills out in front of a mirror at
home... And put himself into a trance for 5 hours ! He
was found by his wife who said “I found him just like a
zombie, staring at himself in the mirror”.
After touring the land it has returned to its native “roots”
and a planning application was sort that would allow
its operation for more than 28 days a year to coincide
with some events in the area. However last March this
application was turned down because of noise concerns
about the organ and whistle.
The only way she got him out of the trance was to phone
the hypnotherapist who taught Helmut, putting the
receiver to her husbands ear so the doctor could talk him
out of the trance.
The Pride Of The South Gallopers was built by Frederick
Savage of King's Lynn in 1893 has 36 horses, and is one
of just a few original gallopers still in use today.
Helmut had put himself into intensive care on the acts
debt by puncturing his respiratory tract with one of the
4ft swords. Ouch !
PAGE 4
A.C.E.S. NEWSLETTER
TRADE EXHIBITION DATES.
These are some of the trade
exhibitions dates members may
find useful. If any have been
missed, please let us know for the
Spring Newsletter. Check out the
websites for each to see if it is
worth paying any of them a visit.
January 2010
MEMBERS FREE FUN QUIZ.
Phil Pike (the editor of the newsletter)
also complies pub quizzes in his spare
time. For some fun the last two pages
of the newsletter is a fun quiz page
(questions then answers).
The Amusement Trades Exhibition
International
Earls Court, London - January 26th to 28th
Worth a look if you have coin-operated type amusement
machines or use giveaway prizes and novelties.
The Event Production Show (formally The Event Show)
Olympia, London - February 2nd & 3rd
Aimed more at the event organiser. Exhibitors tend to
be suppliers of services to the events industry like
heating, lighting, banners, themeing etc.
Members can copy it and use it for
their own purposes if they want. If you
have downloaded the newsletter from the website,
remember not to “print all pages” otherwise you’ll
also print the first newsletter pages as well.
The answers are below. Good luck !
FUN QUIZ ANSWERS.
NO PEEKING !
INPAS 2010 Expo
Stoneleigh Park Exhibition Centre, Nr Coventry.
16th & 17th March.
Aimed at operators. Exhibitors tend to be manufacturers
of bouncy & participation units for events (castles,
slides, climbing walls, rodeo bulls etc).
Confex
Earls Court, London - April 23rd to 25th
Aimed at the event organiser, but worth a look for
operators. Exhibitors are mostly venues and corporate
entertainment suppliers. You can get some good contacts
at the show (and some good freebies !)
R.S.V.P. (South)
Islington Business Design Centre - April 28th & 29th
R.S.V.P. (North)
Manchester Central - April 21st & 22nd
Aimed more at the event organisers but good for seeing
what’s about and getting contacts. This is one members
could exhibit at. Exhibitors tend to be entertainment
suppliers to events but a few venues are usually there.
L.I.W. (Leisure Industry Week)
Birmingham N.E.C. - September 21st to 23rd
A large show split into 7 zones. The Attractions Expo
zone being the one most relevant to members as bouncy
castle and children’s play manufacturers will be there.
The Showman’s Show.
Newbury Show Ground - October 20th & 21st
It will be the 25th anniversary this year. Exhibitors are
a mix of event services (such as heating & flooring),
marquees and toilets, with a splattering of entertainment
including Peter Johnson Entertainments. The inside
exhibition hall has smaller displays. Worth a visit and
can be worth exhibiting at.
TV SHOWS.
1. Grange Hill, 2. I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here,
3. Fawlty Towers, 4. Outnumbered, 5. Gavin & Stacy
FILMS.
1. Grease, 2. Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, 3. Avatar,
4. Anchorman, 5. Twilight
20 QUESTIONS.
1. Madness
2. golf
3. Pinocchio
4. doves / pigeon
5. 33 1/3 rpm
6. Dallas
7. Costa del Sol
8. Al Murray
9. British Academy of Film and Television Arts
10. Lock Stock & 2 Smoking Barrels
11. Beaver
12. Helium
13. Richard lll
14. The Incredible Hulk
15. The bust statute of Queen Victoria that sits on the bar
16. Marathon
17. The foot
18. Vancouver
19. Ford
20. Shere Khan
ADVERTS.
1. Compare The Market, 2. Churchill Insurance,
3. Milky Bars, 4. Sheila’s Wheels, 5. Tango
The Amusement & Catering Equipment Society
Website - www.amusementcateringequipmentsociety.com
Newsletter feedback and articles - [email protected]
This Newsletter was complied and edited by Phil Pike. All though every
effort has been made that contents are correct, it is recommended that
members check for themselves any information. A.C.E.S. is not responsible
for omissions or irregularities.
PAGE 5
THE A.C.E.S. FUN QUIZ
NAME THE TV SHOW
1.......................
2.......................
3.......................
NAME THE FILM
Questions Round.
1. Which British band have the nickname The
Nutty Boys?
2. Bernard Langer is associated with which sport?
3. In which film does the character Jiminy Cricket
appear?
4. “Coo" is the noise associated with which bird?
5. What speed usually did old vinyl LP's typically
rotate at?
6. Which Texas city has an American football team
called The Cowboys?
1.......................
7. On which Spanish ‘costa’ is the resort of
Torremlinos?
8. Which comedian's current DVD is subtitled The
Beautiful British Tour?
9. What does the entertainment industry acronym
BAFTA stand for?
10. Which quirky 1998 British crime caper made
Guy Ritchie a house hold name?
11. Which large aquatic rodent lives in a lodge?
12. Which gas with atomic number 2 is commonly
used to fill balloons to make them float?
2.......................
13. Who said "a horse, a horse, my kingdom for a
horse"?
14. Which comic book character’s alter ego is Dr
David Banner?
15. What object was used to kill Archie in
Eastenders?
16. What was the former name of the Snickers
chocolate bar?
17. Which part of the body contains five metatarsal
bones?
3.......................
18. Which city will play host to the 2010 Winter
Olympics?
19. Which car manufacturer used the tagline
"Everything we do is driven by you"?
20. What is the name of the tiger in Rudyard
Kipling’s tale The Jungle Book?
4.......................
4.......................
www.amusementcateringequipmentsociety.com
5.......................
1..............
ADVERTS
Which products are
being advertised below
5.......................
2.............. 3.............. 4.............. 5..............