Burton Latimer - Leisure:

John Meads 2014 - with material provided by Maureen Smith (nee Strudwick)

The Strudwick Family
Burton Latimer Showmen


Henry Strudwick	Henry and Emily Strudwick and some of his family c1910 Seen here with one of their fairground waggons behind them are John, Albert, Henry jnr., Emily jnr, Florrie and Maud. Seated are Henry and Emily and the two younger children are Jimmy and Louisa.	Emily Strudwick (nee Hood) She was a member of the Hood family, another family of showmen

Henry Strudwick was born in London but spent most of his life touring with fairs in Northamptonshire and surrounding counties. His winter quarters were in a yard in
Rosebery Street near its junction with Finedon Road (click here to read about this and other caravan sites in Burton Latimer) and the family later acquired an additional
piece of ground on the corner of Rosebery Street and Spencer Street. He married Emily Hood in 1886 and they had twelve children, but sadly two died when they
were young. One of the sons, John, took over the business and lived in Burton Latimer all his life with his family based in one or other of the sites. Their youngest son,
Jimmy, had a second-hand car business in Higham Road for many years. His son Albert served in the First World War in the Royal Welsh Fusiliers and the name
'W. Strudwick' is listed on Burton Latimer's Roll of Honour (a list of everyone who served), this is thought to be one of his eldest children, William Thomas, born 1893,
but as yet this has not been verified. Henry died in 1932 and Emily in 1944.


An advertisement from 'The Era' dated 2 Dec 1899	And from the same publication 14 July 1900

"H. Strudwick from Burton Latimer" is the sign on this roundabout powered by a trotting pony early 1900s

The above advertisements from 'The Era' in 1906 show that Henry Strudwick was moving with the times
and selling his pony-powered roundabout in favour of a steam-driven version

Henry Strudwick’s Aunt Sally Sideshow - early 1900s
This interesting photograph shows Henry Strudwick, on the right,
striking a pose with an unknown friend. Two ‘Aunt Sallies’ can be
seen tied to the posts in the background. Their wooden heads have
clay pipes in their mouths, which had to be knocked out to win a
prize. Some of the broken pipes can be seen on the ground.

Henry Strudwick’s Fair - c 1910
This is a photograph of Henry Strudwick’s Fair at Brafield-on-the Green after
conversion to steam - see the pipe coming out of the roof of the roundabout.
Members of his family can be seen standing in front of the swing-boats. The boy
nearest the camera is John Strudwick, who carried on the family business and lived
in a traditional living wagon on the corner of Rosebery Street and Spencer Street.


John Strudwick and his roundabout with three of his daughters - 1930s	John Strudwick and his Roundabout - 1960s The sign says “Fare 3d” (about 7p)


Burton Latimer Carnival Day - c1949 Maureen, Renee, Janice and Sylvia Strudwick with their father’s roundabout at the ‘Rec’ on Burton Carnival Gala Day	John and Emily Strudwick - 1970s John and Emily Strudwick, with daughter Leah at their stall at a local fair.


John Strudwick on the Road His grandson John Earl is standing in the doorway		John and Mabel Strudwick - 1970s with a poster advertising their ‘Popular Amusements.’


John Strudwick taking it easy on the steps of his living wagon pitched on the corner of Rosebery Street and Spencer Street	The end of the road! John and Mabel Strudwick’s living wagon was sold and, after refurbishment, was taken to various Steam Fairs around the country. It is seen here at the Rushden Cavalcade.