photo: Debby Freeman

MANY THANKS TO DEBBY FREEMAN FOR SENDING THIS PHOTO OF HER MAM BETTY SITTING IN THE DOOR OF THEIR 'TAUNTON ROYAL' TRAILER IN 1960. THE FAMILY WERE STOPPED AT PINVIN IN WORCESTERSHIRE, PLUM PICKING IN AUGUST.

A VERY EXPENISVE VAN, THIS ONE HAD A PINK MARBLE EFFECT FORMICA END KITCHEN, FRENCH POLISHED OAK FURNITURE, 
CREAM LEATHER BUNKS WITH A PATTERN OF STARS AND MOONS IN RED. THE CUT MIRRORS OF A FLOWER PATTERN HAD CORAL PINK INSERTS AROUND THE EDGES. THERE WAS A CREAM 'QUEEN' STOVE WITH A SURROUND OF CREAM AND RED TILES WITH CHROME STUDS BETWEEN. IT ALSO HAD A FORMICA DROP LEAF TABLE AND BUILT IN GRAMOPHONE AND SMALL COCKTAIL CABINET!! ...................................
A GREAT PERIOD PHOTOGRAPH.

SO FAR I HAVE ONLY BEEN ABLE TO FIND THE MOST BASIC INFORMATION ABOUT THESE VANS. ROBERT HARKER SENT A PICTURE OF A 'WINCHESTER ROYAL' WHICH BELONGED TO ISAAC NICHOLSON & HIS WIFE JOANNE, AND IVE BEEN TOLD OF A 'SOMERSET ROYAL' WHICH WAS IN WORCESTER IN THE VERY EARLY 60's IT SEEMS PROBABLE THAT THE NAMES WERE DIFFERENT FOR THE SIZE OF THE VAN.

  IT SEEMS THAT THESE TRAILERS WERE BUILT AT TAUNTON IN SOMERSET BY A COMPANY CALLED
  'BENTLEY CARAVANS', THE BUILDER WAS A MR V.A.FOSTER AND THE PREMISES WERE AT PRIORY
  BRIDGE ROAD IN THE TOWN. IT APPEARS THAT THE COMPANY STOPPED BUILDING circa 1956.

  IF ANYBODY CAN HELP WITH FURTHER INFORMATION OR OTHER PHOTOS PLEASE CONTACT ME.

HERE IS A RARE PHOTO OF THE INTERIOR OF A TAUNTON ROYAL.....THIS ONE WAS COLOURED
PORT WINE & SILVER, THE FURNITURE WAS BIRDSEYE MAPLE INLAID WITH SYCAMORE, FITTED BY MAGGS FURNITURE STORE OF BRISTOL. THIS TRAILER BELONGED TO CLARICE & NELSON BOSWELL (right) AND THE PICTURE WAS TAKEN AT WESTON SUPERMARE c 1950

Horris Finney & his brother Billy with a Taunton Royal

WINCHESTER ROYAL. photo: Robert Harker