THE STORY OF ANTHONY.D.HARRIS

Name : Anthony David Dan Harris

Date of birth : 22nd April 1940

Spouse : Christina Shaw (Married 2nd December 1968)

Children : Anthony Harris Jnr
Charles Harris
Michael Harris

Achievements : Elected president of the Showmen's Guild of Great Britain 1992
Management committee/National Fairground Archive, Sheffield University
Member of the Health and Safety Executive
Walsall Borough councillor elected 10th June 2004 to present day

Location : Brownhills, Walsall

Anthony Harris son of Elias and Evelyn Harris was born 22nd April 1940 into a already popular fair land family based in Hounslow.
While living with his parents, at a young age Anthony Harris learned what it takes to be a showman from his father, by trying his skills as a Wall of Death rider. Anthony's father was already a renouned rider himself and Anthony amazed all by picking up the art easily.
The time came when Anthony spent some of his young life in Private school but was always on hand during the summer holidays to help his parents, who where then travelling with Stanley Thurston a showman from the southern counties. They often travelled as far north as Northampton & Coventry.
The first encounter Anthony had with the Collins Funfair was when his father was asked to join the Collins family but this was not the first time Harris's and Collins had come togther. (please veiw the Elias Harris profile). It was John Collins who asked Anthony's father and the connection again began at the Onion Fair in Aston Birmingham,

Anthony Harris Snr with the Wall Of Death - Bloxwich 2007

Anthony Harris Snr presnting a trophy at Ashby model show 2008

While Anthony Harris' life was getting busy with the Harris owned machines travelling many locations with the Collins Funfair, his attention made way to a Miss Christina Shaw, daughter of Mr & Mrs Walter Shaw from the Lancs Section and they married on the 2nd December 1968 in Blackpool. Pat Collins Jnr was in attendance as best man.
Anthony Harris took control of the Lightning Skid alongside the Octopus and Jets and while working with his father Anthony showed all the traits of a fine showman.
With his father as mentor Anthony and his family were sure to go far, even Evelyn Anthony's mother was keen to help out when needed in the Harris empire

From 1976 - 1980 the Anthony Harris ride line up grew to Anthony Harris Lighting Skid, Anthony Harris Leisure Ltd Twist, Anthony Harris Supreme Waltzer and Anthony Harris Para-Glider.
With the Harris fair going strong and Elias Harris managing the Collins fair along side the Collins family.
In 1979 Elias J Harris retired from showmanship also that same year the Collins fair was jointly owned by Pat Collins grandson John Collins and Anthony D Harris a showman in his own right.

In the summer of 1983 at Rowley Regis Anthony Harris took full control and sole ownership of Pat Collins Funfairs, the take over included a set of Dogdems, a run of forty fairs and mainly the trading name of "PAT COLLINS FUNFAIRS" which is still displayed on the equipment and transport fleet of the fair today.

Since the take over Anthony Harris has managed to become involved with local politics and is currently councillor for Walsall Borough Council Anthony also sits on the management committee for the National Fairground Archive at Sheffield Univeristy. He has previously been President of the Showmen's Guild and still performs various other duties to do with funfair life.

Anthony Harris and Rob Saxon (Pat Collins Funfairs Co Uk) at Ashby model show 2008

Anthony Harris and Christina Harris meeting Pope John Paul II

The life of Anthony Harris has many doorways through the years from being a young boy at his fathers side, learning the ways of showmanship to marriage and parent hood and non-fairground duties. Anthony has always managed to put on a spectacular fair, paying particular attention to detail with the immaculate presentation of his rides and the transport fleet.

Now in his young sixties Anthony can rest assured the funfair is in the capable hands of his three sons Anthony Jnr, Michael, and Charles when he is disposed with other duties elswhere.

The Pat Collins Funfair is proud to display a great traditional funfair showing the flare and grandeur of Anthony D Harris

Compiled by Rob Saxon