Steam and the Little Shop

The Engine: This is a Fowler Showman’s Engine.

Registration: BW 4932.

Engine Name: "The Iron Maiden" (a very famous engine in the steam world).

The Scene: She is seen here in her working "Showman" guise, complete with the full canopy that extends over the dynamo at the front (used to generate electricity for fairground rides).

Local Landmark: Notice the "Brickwoods Off Licence" in the background. Brickwoods was a major Portsmouth-based brewery that had many pubs and shops across the South Coast, including Sussex.

The Iron Maiden" (BW 4932) – Lancing Carnival Day, 1963.

Caught here in her prime, just a year after her starring role in the 1962 film The Iron Maiden. She is seen passing the old Brickwoods Off Licence, a classic sight for anyone who remembers the village in the early 60s. These engines were the heart of the Silcock Fairs that brought so much life to Lancing 

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Doubly interesting because of the curious little shop in the background that began life as a Brickwoods off-licence at the side of the Farmers Hotel. I will show how it has been adapted over the years to a variety of uses.

After a long period of vacancy in 2004 the little shop was taken on by a Fishing Tackle supplier with a sideline in Dolls House kits

 A year later in 2005 it was the turn of a Locksmith 'Rhino Locks'. It must of provided a useful base to an otherwise mobile service.

Four years later in 2009 Neville Scott had decided to go solo in the Estate agency business and set up

 shop in the little building.

In this wide angle view the scene recalls the original photo with the steam engine in the position of where the white car is now parked.

Lastly for now at least, The Farmers with the strange little shop tacked on the side.

Since this photo was taken, the Estate Agent has vacated. The most recent occupant was Carewise Ltd, a privately owned Homecare agency