Reykjavík Grapevine - 06.08.2008, Blaðsíða 29

REYKJAVÍK GRAPEVINE | ISSUE 11—2008 | 29
ARTICLE By stevie warD — photo By gas
Members of The Showmen’s Guild of Great Britain, the new
blood of the fair is David Taylors’ brood, 23 year old Cum-
brian, Elleray Taylor, and her little brother Kane along with
10-15 other fairground staff.
“It’s good fun and different”, Elleray smiles. “At school
kids would say, ‘we’ve been skiing on holiday’ and I’d say,
‘We’ve been to the Caribbean!’ It’s never boring.”
The nomadic lifestyle creates many opportunities and
Elleray travels with Taylors all around the world; she recounts
that she’s been with the Tivoli to Africa, The Caribbean,
Dubai, Norway and Gibraltar. Obviously, it’s not all fun and
games; people don’t always know their limits, and whoever
is working on the rides has to clean up any mess that is made
by the Tivoli’s queasy visitors. Despite these less glamorous
chores, working the fairground is like joining the circus, and
most are family run, and well managed. Based on morals of
freedom and hard work, it is obvious these fairground work-
ers take pride in their craft.
I asked if Elleray was given a choice of joining the fam-
ily business. “We had a choice, but we were also told this is
what the family does, and we enjoy doing it, so there it is.” I
then asked if she would consider going corporate and work-
ing for The Disney Franchise. “I would, but just to learn what
they do. They’re the best in the world, but me and Dad work
quite closely together.” It’s clear she is where she wants to be,
and that Taylors constantly strives to improve itself.
It seems these more humble fairs can be run far bet-
ter than their more grotesquely sized competitors. For the
customer, less time is spent trying to navigate vast, themed
terrains with cartoon-style maps, and instead is focused on
enjoying the rides and being together. Also, the local fair is
generally less than a bus ride away, making the hardest part
of the day deciding what to go on and how much food you
can stomach.
Defying the conventional stereotypes of faded and
dangerous carnivals and their grizzly staff, Taylors Funfair is
a wonderful example of the opportunities available to good
people working very hard in Iceland. “People think we’re
from Mars, but we’re normal people, here to work. The year
the Beer Prohibition (1989) ended was the first year we came
and there was nothing here – a cinema and a bowling alley”.
They are a part of Iceland’s history and continue to be an
entertaining and out-of-the-ordinary diversion.
Taylors is with the times. Their new ride the “Star Flier”
is the hottest thing in Europe, and it arrives later in the year
(the details of which involve a 45 meter pole and twelve
chairs). They themselves are the nicest bunch of people you
could hope to meet, honest and friendly.
As for the Tivoli itself, it’s an awesome experience and
the rides are tremendous. I highly recommend The Ghost-
house, which had two Grapevine reporters paralyzed with
fear, as well as the Waltzers, where we were truly given our
money’s worth. It is a brilliant, family run enterprise that
should be received with welcoming, open arms and as a
treat for Reykjavík when it arrives at Áltavegur in a few weeks’
time.
hell yeah we lIke the tIvolI!
Fairground in the Family
Taylor made for your fun
Taylors Funfairs are run by the sixth gen-
eration of British Fairground folk. Now in
their 18th year in Iceland, their Tivoli in
Hafnarfjörður is currently in full swing.
David Taylor has been running the fair
for 33 years and it has been passed down
from generation to generation for over a
century.
BaseD on MoraLs of freeDoM anD harD
worK, it is oBvious these fairgrounD
worKers taKe priDe in their Craft.
Taylors Funfairs will be in Akureyri from July 31 to
August 4, in Reykjavík from August 9 to 31 and finally
in Keflavík from September 5 to 7.
Borgartún 10-12
105 Reykjavík
Tel: 411 9000
www.reykjavik.is
The department of welfare gives information and advice about social entitlements and provides
support in cases of social or personal problems for registered residents in Reykjavik.
For general information about operations in the City of Reykjavik and additional information on
e.g. specific housing benefits, pre-school applications or financial aid, you should contact
service centers in your own neighbourhood:
• Vesturgarður, service centre for the residents of Vesturbaer district, Hjardarhagi 45-47, tel. 411-1700
• Miðborg and Hlíðar, service centre for the residents of the city centre and the district of Hlidar, Skulagata 21,
tel. 411-1600
• Laugardalur and Háaleiti, service centre for the residents of the districts of Laugardalur and Haaleiti, Sidumuli 39,
tel. 411-1500
• Breidholt, service centre for the residents of Breidholt, Alfabakki 12, tel. 411-1300
• Ábær and Grafarholt, service centre for the residents of the districts of Arbaer and Grafarholt, Baejarhals 1,
tel. 411-1200
• Miðgarður, service centre for the residents of Grafarvogur and Kjalarnes, Langarimi 21, tel. 411-1400
Department of Welfare
Borgartuni 10-12
105 Reykjavik
www.velferdarsvid.is