Farewell to the fairground

In March, photographer Zoe Norfolk arrived at the Carters yard in Maidenhead for day one of her latest project – capturing the iconic steam fair as it traveled around London and the South East. The series took on new meaning in April, when it was announced that 2022 would be the fair’s last ever tour.

“There were grown men with tears in their eyes,” says Zoe, of the moment that fairground manager Joby Carter broke the news. “Some of them have worked at Carters for years.”

Carters was founded in 1977, when Joby’s parents – John and Anna – bought the Jubilee Steam Gallopers that remain a focal point at the fair. They continued to add rides to their collection, which Anna restored, eventually creating the world’s largest vintage travelling steam fair. John sadly died in 1999, after which Anna, Joby and his siblings took over. In the years that followed, Carters became an annual staple in Priory Park. But this July, the fairground came to Crouch End for the final time.

The closure is particularly significant for Zoe, who has lived in Muswell Hill since the mid-nineties. “I took [my son] to Carters when he was small,” she says. “I’ve taken a picture of him in front of the poster every year – from when he was in a buggy, to when he was a moody teenager, and finally this year, as he goes off to uni.”

Zoe has visited five locations with the fair since March, documenting the set-up and pack-down process. “It took a while for [the fairground staff ] to get used to me. But when they knew it was being sold, suddenly the project became important, because they knew I was recording something that will be gone forever.” Her images are vivid and bright, capturing the brilliance of Carters’ meticulous paintwork (Joby is an expert in traditional signwriting and can be credited with maintaining the fair’s unique aesthetic). But they are intimate too – an endearing look at people that make it all happen.

The Carter family are looking for a new owner and permanent home for their rides. Meanwhile, the steam fair will visit eight more locations in the coming months, with Zoe in tow.

The most poignant photograph so far is perhaps the most simple: a set of deep tyre marks in the grass where the octopus ride once stood. “I was very keen to get that shot. There was a sense of loss. Like, it’s gone now and it’s not going to come back.”

Cosmin adding lighting rails to the dodgems

Jay and Angel taking a break

Priory Park, after the fair had left