ROMANY GYPSY TRAILERS

As far as trailers for Travellers go, the two earliest builders were Eccles and Hills of Swinefleet. Eccles started in 1919 at a works in Birmingham.

By 1927 they had pioneered trailer building and had established a

factory for large scale production. Hills of Swinefleet in Yorkshire were

waggon builders. Circa 1927 they produced a trailer specifically for Travellers, they were modelled on a waggon and had no sink or toilet.

Windows were cut glass and interiors were french polished with cut mirrors and a stove. Eccles too produced living vans for Travellers of a very high quality with waggon characteristics internally. These early trailers were built of plywood over a wooden frame. Although Eccles were primarily a 'tourer' builder they produced 'showmans' for Travelling people right up until the 1960's. In the latter decade the Eccles Traveller was a very popular trailer.

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  Cooper family

Georgina Cooper, Henry, Tubby and Dinks.

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This 1920's trailer was bought in the 1940's

then sold to the owners son in the 1950's for

£30. Shortly afterwards this photo was taken

near Oxford.

special thanks to Stephen Doe for the photo.

This photo has been sent in by Ansell & Ruth Ball.

Ruth posted a message about this pic. This very unusual van she thinks was built at Little Street in Kent and is certainly an early photo.

Ive never seen a van like this, a cross between a waggon/trailer/small railway carriage !!!

  Thanks Ruth for the pic.

Thanks to Sue from 'Romany Genes' for sending these two pic's.