'Gypsy queen' and 'king of showmen' celebrated in exhibition

2 hours ago

Vanessa PearceWest Midlands

News image — Louisa Price who lived for more than 70 years in Bloxwich is being remembered in the exhibition

Walsall Archives A black and white image of Louisa Price. She is smoking a clay pipe and has a scarf around her neck. On her jacket is a lucky horseshoe and she has a heavy bracelet around her wrist — Louisa Price who lived for more than 70 years in Bloxwich is being remembered in the exhibition

Described as a "queen of Gypsy queens" Louisa Price spent more than 70 years of her remarkably long life in the town of Bloxwich, West Midlands.

Her small caravan on Fishley Lane became, as one local newspaper described it after her death in 1970, "a shrine to the huge Price family, whose territories stretched into the north of England and as far as South Devon".

Journalist Garth Pearce, who had interviewed her a few years before she died, recalled meeting an "awesome being" who was "kindly, friendly and perceptive".

At the time of her death, a day after being admitted to hospital with pneumonia, she claimed an age of 113, although hospital authorities recognised her as being at least 107.

Her story is now among those being highlighted in an exhibition celebrating Walsall's heritage of Romany and Gypsy culture.

Walsall Archive A dilapidated Gypsy caravan stands amid grass and trees with wooden slats on its roof missing — The caravan of Louisa Price was well-known in the town before her death in 1970

The area historically had a large settled Gypsy, Roma and Traveller (GRT) community, said the council.

Walsall was also a popular stopping point from a geographical point of view.

The new exhibition at three community spaces across the borough showcases the stories, contributions and legacies of individuals and how they have helped shape the area, it said.

Walsall Archive A black and white image of ann admission booth for Pat Collins Fete and Gala. People are queuing to pay their money beneath a fairground sign. Two boys can be seen walking in the opposite direction. — Pat Collins established many local fairs across England

Another of those celebrated is fairground businessman and politician, Pat Collins, known as the 'king of showmen'.

His Bloxwich-based fun fair company was established shortly before 1900, although he had been travelling fairs with his family for many years before that, and the company still bears his name.

His rides and entertainment became hugely important across the country, and was an early presenter of moving pictures, building a cinema in the town in 1922.

As well as running the Bloxwich Wake, or annual fair every August, the family ran events across the West Midlands including Dudley, Wolverhampton, Willenhall and Tipton.

Walsall Archives An old black and white image of fairground rides in Walsall — He ran the Bloxwich Wake as well as fairs in Dudley, Wolverhampton, Wednesbury and Willenhall

He also pursued a long and successful career in politics in Walsall, serving as a Liberal councillor, before being elected as an MP.

In 1930 he became an Alderman before serving as Mayor of Walsall.

He was a founder member of the Van Dweller's and Showmen's Protection Society which later became the Showmen's Guild, with Collins as its longest serving president, a post he held from 1909 until 1929.

A clock stands in memorial to him using money raised by public subscription and funds from the guild.

Walsall Archive A black and white image of Pat Collins, in black suit and top hat, standing outside the council house next to a woman also wearing a dark outfit. Many people are gathered behind them. — Pat Collins also served as Walsall's MP and mayor

"This exhibition reflects our continued commitment to celebrating the diversity that makes Walsall such a vibrant borough," said Stuart Chapman, the council's portfolio holder for housing support, resident access and communities

"For generations, Walsall has been home to Gypsy, Roma, Irish Traveller and other nomadic communities. This exhibition will shine a light on their important contributions and offers residents the opportunity to engage with stories that are too often underrepresented."