Page 12 - Town & Around - February 2025

12 Town & Around February 2025 Tel: 01485 540620 email: editor@townandaround.net
Frederick Savage - Kings Lynn Innovator and Engineer

Russell Lyon
here are not many statues in Kings he used his wonderful imagination and
Lynn – three when I last counted inventive flair to transform his agricultural
Tincluding the recent one of King John mechanical devices into “Magic
in New Conduit. I don’t know the average Roundabouts” for showgrounds.
percentage of statues per head of population The Gallopers which featured up to 56
in Lynn compared to other similar size large horses four abreast was very popular and then
towns but I suspect it might be low. the “Switchback” which was the forerunner
There is one that has always intrigued me. of our now “Waltzers” and the still well
Frederick Savage in his magnificent mayoral known “Cakewalk.” The noise, smoke and
robes stands at the junction of London Road smell of steam along with glittering lights and
and Guanock Place looking towards the music all added to the fantasy and thrill and
South Gate. Who was he and why did he showmen clamoured for more and more of
merit such an honour? these mechanical wonders.
Next time you or your children climb Savage employed at the height of his
aboard a fairground carousel in Kings Lynn genius, carvers, painters and illustrators
give silent thanks to the man who was the which added so much to the popularity of
chief engineer and innovator of fairground each ride. Giant cockerels – red and yellow
rides as we know them. creations and horses off course were made in
He was born in Hevingham during the the yard with pine and beach and elm wood.
reign of George 4th into a poor farm Savage proudly said that only the eyes and
labouring family. His father to make ends horsehair were not made in the iron works.
meet went poaching. He was arrested and Such huge and elaborate rides needed
found guilty at the Assize and sentenced to be specialised machinery to drive and tow them
transported to Tasmania for 14 years. This to and from each venue and again Savage was
had a severe effect on the family’s finances up to the job and invented the “Little
and as a result Fredericks education was very Samson” to haul the vehicles.
poor and he was semi -literate all his life. He By 1892, he was at the height of his fame
started his working life on a farm at 10 years and popularity and the people of Kings Lynn
old earning 2/6d (12.5p) a week. recognised the town’s debt to him. His
He was ambitious and got a job in products now sold all over the world – to
Dereham at Thomas Cooper, Whitesmith, America, Europe, Africa and Australia. He
machine makers where he gained experience was a JP, Councillor and Mayor of the town.
enough to move to Kings Lynn with his wife. He had accumulated a lot of money but was
There he was employed by Charles Willet a well known for supporting many local worthy
millwright and machine maker who retired causes and helping the poor and religious
fairly soon after. establishments. Banquets were held in his
This enabled Savage to set up his own honour which was pretty good going for a
business in Tower Street and then London poor, semi - literate son of a farm labourer.
Road making and repairing agricultural The rather austere statue we see today was
implements. raised by public subscription when he died.
By the mid - century steam engines had It gives no indication of the man himself –
been developed to allow better drainage in the kindly and with good sense of humour.
Fens and Frederick realised the potential to His business was carried on by his sons but
adapt these engines for agricultural use – failed to prosper without his acumen and
notably threshing machines. He then eventually went into decline and insolvency.
diversified into other avenues. He did not A display of the history of Savages can be
invent steam driven roundabouts - that was seen at Lynn Museum.
Sidney Soames of Marsham in Norfolk but