Enjoying a ride on a rare roundabout at a Victorian carnival in Oxford in 1990 are Lucy Hardcastle, nine, and her brother Holden, five, from Kennington.

The 97-year-old ‘gallopers’ formed one of only three surviving steam roundabouts in the world.

Crowds flocked to enjoy a ride on her at a steam fair at Bury Knowle Park, Headington.

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Tony Marchington, of Oxford, who owned the roundabout, had received an offer to sell it to pop star Michael Jackson, but had told him he would not sell it at any price.

He said: “It always gives me a buzz when I see the smiling faces of the children as the ride starts up.”

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About the author 

Andy is the Trade and Tourism reporter for the Oxford Mail and you can sign up to his newsletters for free here. 

He joined the team more than 20 years ago and he covers community news across Oxfordshire.

His Trade and Tourism newsletter is released every Saturday morning. 

You can also read his weekly Traffic and Transport newsletter.