The Proctor family have been providing fun fairs, predominately in Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire for over 150 years!
The founder of the dynasty was Robert Alexander Proctor who was born in 1832. He married Maria Codman, her niece Ada later becoming a tightrope walker and trapeze artist in their circus which is first recorded in 1861. Together they had eleven children, one whom was John Albert Proctor, grandfather of John Proctor the current proprietor of Proctors Fun Fairs.At this time the family were still circus proprietors but many of the children, including John Albert, married some of the most famous names in the fairground business including Twigdon, Hall and Taylor. John Albert married Sarah Ann Hall from Belper and they began to operate fairground equipment while still continuing with his circus. He had a bioscope show (the forerunner of the modern cinema) before acquiring rides such as the Peacocks and dragons.
He went on to become one of the leading riding masters of the day during the early part of the twentieth century and was a leader in presenting the latest rides, including the Noahs Ark, Waltzer and the Dodgems. The family were initially based in Belper and then in Dragon House in Ilkeston before later moving to Nottingham where the firm is based today. His son Albert Proctor carried on the business before being taken over by todays proprietor, his son John, on his death.
To learn more of our history a book has been published about Proctors Fairs! Written by Albert Proctor, father of John Proctor, current proprietor of Proctors Fun Fairs, the book tells the story of his life and the family through the two World Wars and beyond.
New Book!
Read all about the Proctors family history. Life on the fairgrounds through two world wars.Order your copy!
Very rarely has a showman written a book himself about his life and John Proctor, with help from Neil Calladine, is very proud to have brought this story to life after having been stored in a drawer at the family home for over forty years!
Proud members of the Showmans Guild
Belper Fair
Conisborough Fair
Goose Fair
Belper Fair
