Pat Collins (showman)

Patrick Collins (12 May 1859 - 9 December 1943) was a Liberal MP for Walsall (1922 - 1924) and Mayor of Walsall (1938), but is chiefly remembered for his involvement in the fairground industry. His name remains in the company "Pat Collins Funfairs". He was also an early presenter of moving pictures both in travelling shows and cinemas. At one point he was running 4 separate fairs a week as well as owning 13 cinemas and some skating rinks.Oxford Dictionary of National Biography retrieved 21-09-2008]

Life

Collins was born 12 May 1859 in Chester, on of 5 children. He had two wives, Flora Ross (married 1880, died 1933) and Clara Mullett (married 1934, survived him). Flora gave him a son, Patrick Ross Collins (born 7 March 1886) who continued the business. Pat Collins Ltd was created in 1899, when he had established a round of fairs in the Black Country based on traditional holidays or 'Wakes' from August to October.* [http://www.localhistory.scit.wlv.ac.uk/articles/Fair/TheFair.htm Ned Williams] All the fun of the fair]

He was President of the Showman's Guild of Great Britain [http://www.showmensguild.com/index01.html] from 1920 to 1929. He lived in Bloxwich in the borough of Walsall, where he became a Liberal Councillor in 1918, an Alderman in 1930, and Mayor of Walsall in 1938. He also won a place as Liberal MP for Walsall in the 1922 General Election, retaining his seat in the 1923 elections but losing it in the 1924 general election to a Conservative, W. Preston.

He died at his home in Bloxwich and was buried in the cemetery there.

References

* [http://www.funofthefair.co.uk/ www.funofthefair.co.uk] Pat Collins "King of Showmen"