Fangfoss is celebrating traditional craftwork next weekend including some rare rocking horses. LARA LAMBERT and MATT CLARK take a look.

TONY Dew has been making rocking horses for 36 years, but like it is with builders and their houses, he’s only just got round to producing one for his granddaughter.

Then again he does have an excuse. Having built a larger-than-life-sized horse for Tatton Park in Cheshire, he and his team are now working on the world’s largest rocking horse for the World Skills Exhibition, in November.

Strictly speaking, Tony’s family doesn’t really need any more rocking horses, because he owns the country’s largest collection of antique specimens.

Next weekend his 100 vintage rocking horses will be on view as part of Fangfest, the village’s annual festival of traditional crafts.

Among them are pieces dating back to the 7th century, the only full sized replica of the world’s oldest rocking horse – made for Charles II – and a restored swivel- headed horse that can be turned by tugging at the reins.

Tony has sold most of his share in The Rocking Horse Shop to his manager and neighbour Jane Cook, but he keeps his hand in by running carving courses and advising on the restoration of the toys.

Now Tony’s skills have been passed to Sam Glass, who continues to make new horses to his design.

A self-confessed rocking horse fanatic, Tony’s fascination with wooden toys goes back to his boyhood. He says Fangfest is an important way to showcase his hand-carved toys and his antique horses.

“The great thing about a rocking horse is that even a small rider has complete control over what is, to him or her, a very big animal,” says Tony. “A rocking horse is always ready to ride, looks good and becomes a well loved member of the family and an heirloom.”

On display at the Rocking Horse Shop museum are an embroidered rocking horse, remnants of a fairground carousel as well as photos and postcards on the walls.

Every inch of floor space is filled with wooden, tin, and cloth horses, all standing silently on their rockers, some painted, others covered in frayed horse skin.

Pride of place are deluxe Victorian models by master craftsmen FH Ayers, but there are equally lovely, mass-produced ‘tin’ carousel horses and miniature doll’s house rocking horses, each one evoking childhood dreams.

Not to mention a spring-loaded beauty made in the United States by Jesse Crandall. He invented the ‘Shoo-fly’ rocking horse in 1859 and received a patent for it in 1861. The design differed from the traditional bow rocker and was quite popular until around 1880, with the advent of the Marqua safety stand.

The one in Tony’s collection was re-painted about 100 years ago.

Among his other favourites, is a wooden horse that can fit two children at once.

“Rocking horses were not just toys,” he says. “Since the 17th century they have also been used as teaching tools and they give confidence and exercise in a safe environment that allows a growing child’s imagination to roam free.”

• Fangfest will be held in Fangfoss on September 3 and 4, from 9am to 4pm each day. This year is the 13th annual festival of Practical Arts to be held in the village and there will be talks and demonstrations by professional craftsmen, a fun fair, flower festival in the church and activities such as clay pigeon shooting. As well as vintage rocking horses, The Largest Carved Working Rocking Horse’ in the world will be on display.