Martha's Fairground Stall Conversion

All the Fun of The Fair!

By Martha Fosberry

Phew! What a season it has been... as I write this, I am eyeing up the first juicy red apples of autumn growing slowly but surely in our newly planted orchard.

I say “new”, as our fledgling apple growing efforts began only about five years ago. Sadly, the ancient orchards whose apples would have adorned the fields of Moon & I HQ (originally an 18th century cider house), like ruby jewels in a harvest crown, were ripped out several years ago in an effort to make the house more “desirable” to potential buyers. Call me old fashioned, but I desire nothing more than celebrating the ancient history of these acres we are blessed to build our business on. We are therefore, slowly, consciously replanting our patch of Herefordshire heaven. Each tree planted feels in some way like a quiet, thank you, to the land.

Back to our beloved fun fair stall. Truthfully, progress has been slow, but steady. A wise friend once said to me, “progress is progress, forward is forward... even if you are a tortoise”. Well after a hare-paced summer, we are feeling a bit tortoise-y as we slide into winter.

We have been blessed like many I hope, with a very busy season. It has been an absolute joy doing check-in after check-in, as the big C has loosened its grip on our industry. However, with the combo of full occupancy, change overs and full-time childcare during the summer holidays, any work on our beautiful fun fair stall has taken place either off site or in our evenings.

It’s what’s on the inside that counts...

Once the structure was in place, we decide a rain-proof solution was required for working within the space itself. We dusted off and donned the stall with its original (spiders and all) yellow ragged roof, which actually fared better than anyone expected and I am almost certain its brilliant yellow cover can be seen from outer space.

During the height of summer, Reuben travelled to Kent to work with his father Kel on the ingeniously crafted panels to seal and create the upper walls of the stall. Contrary to my theory of just “putting a bit of a wood panelling in”, the infills of the old stall proved a bit more challenging. Kel engineered the most incredibly designed, lightweight panels whose bespoke shape lifted into the opening windows, all seven of them (eighth panel begin kept clear for the door), sealing and insulating the stall. The inside of the panelling flat, and the external panel curved to mimic the overall shape. We had some issue with suppliers and price increases which meant it took over two months to design and create the panels, Kel carefully rethinking things at each issue we uncovered along the way. Now, with panels reunited with stall; like Cinderella with her shoe, we are one step closer to being ready for the ball. Meanwhile, I had been clutching at straws, trying to listen to the funfair stall’s identity – by this, I mean the breakthrough idea or concept that is the catalyst for the space’s ongoing deigns (external and internal). It is important that this light bulb moment occur in good time for Reu, Kel and I to discuss and collaborate on all of the aesthetic decisions about the space as it develops. From windows to woodwork, if we all have a clear idea of how the space will “feel”, it makes it easier for us all to dream up how the space can develop. I know the nature of the stall lends itself to the obvious fairground theme... but I was struggling to find the linchpin.

Luckily, due to my ongoing addiction to car boot sales, my eureka moment came in the shape of an unloved, £1 antique reproduction of Lothar Meggendorfer’s International pop-up Circus book. Meggendorfer was a German illustrator and early cartoonist known for these pop-up books published in the 19th century. In another moment of divine serendipity, I sat on the warm grass floor at the car boot sale and unfolded each beautifully illustrated scene. Six scenes stood in front of me telling stories of circus acts of daring do. Six scenes almost screaming out to be adorned onto the six internal panels of the stall that require décor (the other two panels remaining plain for the bedhead & door). Hurrah! Basic concept born, thank you universe. I have begun to use inks to explore recreating the scenes in stark black and white, almost like the shadows of the circus / fairground scenes playing out. Needless to say I am in love, and look forward to seeing how these fledgling ideas take flight in the coming months.

In the more immediate future, Reu will be putting in the two windows at the front to overlook our beautiful view of the Black mountains and making the ironmongery to fasten in the panels, and will then begin to look at the door design.

Up on the roof

As much as we have come to love the familiar yellow roof of our fairground friend beaming out across our meadow like some enormous Glamping sunflower, the time has come to improve things. While we scratched our heads in deliberation, through some beautiful bout of kismet, we welcomed Jason Thawley, the owner and innovator behind Tree Tents (and all-round Glamping Glitterati) to stay at the Moon & I. He had booked completely by chance to stay in our shepherd’s hut as he needed to be in the area for work. During his stay, we began talking shop and coaxed him into a canvas conflab about our dream roof. Words like “integral insulation”, “unique fabric finishes”, “wood burner outlet”, “insulated sky panelling” banded around like sweet, sweet music to our ears. A cosmic match made in heaven! We are hoping to work with Jason early next year to create a bespoke roof to nobly step into the shoes of its neon predecessor. We honesty feel we have found the Michelangelo to create the ceiling of our humble hand-made Sistine Chapel. Thank you Jason!

That’s all folks... (for now)

Autumn is a really important time in our line of work to stop, take stock (sometimes literally!) and to reap the harvest of a successful summer. Giving thanks to our spaces - repairing what needs repair, rethinking what needs change, and preparing for winter the season of deep rest. So, here’s to sitting fireside and thinking of what Glamping dreams may come in 2022, always remembering that whatever your dream, however big or small your business; forward is forward, progress is progress. Even if you are a tortoise.

*A special thanks to my wonderful parents in law Kelvin & Barbra who, without their endless and seemly never-ending support, we quite simple would not be able to run our business. Thank you!

The Fosberrys