The owner of Carter’s Steam Fair, the world’s largest vintage carnival, is in the final phase of relocating the vintage rides to new owners after deciding to close their doors in 2022.

Carter’s Steam Fair has been touring the country since it was just one ride owned by Mr and Mrs Carter in 1977, always making Reading its grand finale.

Joby Carter, 48, took over the Steam Fair from his parents seven years ago alongside his wife Georgina and two kids.

After two years of discussions and negotiations with buyers, they are now down to their three final rides that made up the iconic carnival.

Joby said: “It’s been a crazy journey. I always thought I’d do this all my life but a few years ago - I thought in 10 years time - it would be nice to find somewhere permanent because travelling has been incredibly hard.

During the pandemic however, I had a year where I had weekends off and what I was doing was more profitable than what the fair was making.

“We took money and we were very successful but I kept pouring everything I made back into the fair. I’m not getting any younger and my kids aren’t really into it so I thought let’s stop at the top.”

Although the ideal aim was to keep the carnival together, it soon became clear that the rides would need to be sold off individually to different buyers.

“We spent a year trying to keep it as a whole but despite talks with the national trust and speaking to museums, no one came forward to say we want to buy the whole thing so we had to make a decision and sell it off individually", Joby explained.

“But we’ve really gone out of our way to find the right buyers. So far, we are happy about where everything has gone and we’re down to the last 3 rides."

The final open day and auction will take place to the public at Carters Yard in White Waltham from Friday, June 14 to Sunday, June 16.

The fair rides have been snapped up over the last year-and-a-half by other showmen and preservationists wanting to maintain a little piece of history.

Joby, who is also an expert in sign writing, has demonstrated his skills and sold his work throughout the UK, including within the famous London fashion district – Savile Row.

This weekend will mark the phase of the sale including the last remaining rides – the Lightning Skid, Gallopers and Steam Yachts – and rare vintage lorries and vehicles.

A variety of fairground-related equipment, memorabilia will also be up for grabs during the open days.

Joby will be turning his focus to showcasing traditional signwriting skills with a return of his popular ‘Signwriting Sunday’ event. He is dedicated to showcasing traditional skills in a digital age and these signwriting events are an opportunity for people to step into a traditional workshop and see lettering created the old fashioned way with a brush, paint and mahl stick.

He added: “Everything is going out in pristine condition that I’m proud to put my name to. The Ark had all the platforms repainted and hinges replaced, the Chair O Plane had the steps repainted, the rounding boards on the Toytown ride were repainted too.

“From small repairs and replacement parts to updated artwork featuring the new owner’s names, we’ve taken care of it all for the new owners so it all looks pristine.”

Despite being ready to retire from the fair and spend time with his family, Joby expressed his disappointment that the Steam Fair was not able to stay as a whole.