The Little Roundabout 

F.W. Coulson was founded by Cyril Coulson during the early 1930s, starting with chrome plating services. Cyril was a pipe welder by trade and after the war used his skills to manufacture juvenile fairground rides, after seeing a gap in the market and with excess war materials readily available. Originally, the workshop was based in the old school on Coltsgate Hill, Ripon North Yorkshire, which still stands today as housing. The Coulson works, when in full operation, had around 80 employees ranging from carpenters, painters and fabricators. The company rapidly gained a good reputation throughout the industry for quality. Coulson works were well known for producing large toyset rides, though Cyril designed and focused on manufacturing a revolutionary new product; this would become known as the 'minor mobile' (mobile for its ease of use and size, minor after his car a 'morris minor'). This little toyset was only 10ft in diameter, hand operated, trailer mounted and ahead of its time in terms of design and build materials. Cyril produced a small number before furthering advertising. He then showcased the ride at the amusement trade exhibition in London 1951. With interest rising and orders being placed, Cyril decided to attend and showcase the roundabout at the Festival of Britain 1951. The morning of arrival, Cyril was involved in an accident with the car towing the ride and a milk lorry. He tragically passed away aged 36. Due to Cyril's death, the Minor Mobile came to an end. Coulson works continued to operate under Cyril's sister Joan and partner Brittan until the late 1950s, but after financial struggles they sold what was left to Allan Groves engineering Ripon. Allan continued manufacturing batch orders of large toysets, supplying mainly to Europe, and finally ceased  trading in the mid 1960s.
Approximately 24 Minor Mobiles were manufactured, only a handful are still operating today and ours is considered the most original!