Burton's finest: Nathan Dawe and Orton & Spooner

DJ and music producer Nathan Dawe and Victorian fairground ride makers George Orton and Charles Spooner are separated in time by more than 100 years, but in this article, Elaine Pritchard shares why she thinks they have more in common than just a birthplace.

Recently I was invited to the annual model fairground show at Staverton in Gloucestershire where I gave a talk on Orton & Spooner. It’s always a joy to attend events like this because I learn so much more about fairground history and heritage from visitors. I’m always thrilled when they say they have learned new facts about Burton’s Victorian entrepreneurs George Orton (1844-1924) and Charles Spooner (1871-1939) from me. One Australian visitor, who had travelled from Bristol, told me she believed Orton & Spooner were the most-celebrated and the best of the fairground ride creators of the late 19th and early 20th century. However, I felt obliged to tell her, in their home town they are no longer the household names they once were. Maybe they are not totally forgotten, but you will still find many people in the town who don't know what they did.

Superstar DJ and record producer Nathan Dawe is a man who has made a name for himself in recent years and embarked on a second career in his home town of Burton upon Trent. The morning after my Staverton visit, I was watching Nathan's latest video about the progress of the new incarnation of his restaurant Isabel’s. In recent years, Nathan has made a huge success of Isabel’s on Station Street and as a result he has acquired a bigger venue across the road. This new Isabel’s bar and restaurant is due to open on February 2nd, 2026. Watching his videos, Nathan's enthusiasm for his business and for his hometown shines through.

On the face of it, two Victorian men and a star of the 21^st century music business have little in common, except for the fact that all three of them came from Burton upon Trent. But as I watched Nathan’s latest video, I realised he had quite a few things in common with George Orton and Charles Spooner, and it all started with a remark about paint.

In his video, Nathan was waxing lyrical about a signature shade of paint that will appear throughout the new Isabel’s. He called it ‘red wine’. It looked to me to have a rich tone that instantly reminded me of a paint colour that George Orton had manufactured for the living wagons he made for the travelling show and fairground community across Britain. To honour his hometown, George called that paint shade ‘Burton Lake’.

A George Orton wagon painted in his signature 'Burton Lake' shade.

That set me thinking about other connections between the three men and this is what I came up with:

Entertainment

In 2026 music is a major source of entertainment. Live gigs and tracks we can stream online keep people talking and spending their money. The experience of eating and drinking out has become one of the top ways that many people choose to spend their money and time, making memories and often sharing them online. At Isabel's, music is often part of a great night out.

Orton & Spooner’s core work was for the owners of travelling fairs and shows, which were one of the most exciting, best-loved and talked-about forms of entertainment in their day. The annual fairs would be a highlight of the year for Burton people who would meet up there, enjoy food and drink, have lots of fun and make memories.

Diversification 

Nathan made his name through music and diversified into hospitality with Isabel’s. George Orton began his career as a wagon-maker while Charles Spooner created ornate hand-carved work for him. Together they moved on to creating travelling show fronts and fairground rides, and then they created a company that ran cinemas in Burton. They showed the first talking picture in the town and at one time ran three of the town’s four cinemas.

Loyalty to Burton 

Someone with Nathan's profile could have chosen to start a restaurant business in London or any other major city such as Manchester or Birmingham. Instead, he chose to establish Isabel’s in his hometown, creating new jobs and putting money into the local economy.

Orton & Spooner also stayed loyal to their home town. They were wooed by King’s Lynn, after that town’s major fairground ride business closed. There were would have been some advantages to the move – such as easier travel routes to export to Europe and access to a skilled workforce – but they stayed here in Burton creating a growing reputation.

Economy and employment 

Nathan has invested in Burton and created work for suppliers and jobs for employees, strengthening the local economy. For those looking to forge a career in hospitality, Nathan has given them the opportunity to gain skills and experience which will stand them in good stead for the future. His name and reputation mean that his restaurant and bar can attract customers from outside of Burton upon Trent and even outside Staffordshire, including influencers from the music, TV and social media industries.

Similarly, Orton & Spooner boosted the local economy when they were commissioned to create new fairground attractions by top firms in this country and abroad. This created new jobs and those employees spent most of their wages with other local businesses. After gaining skills and experience in Burton upon Trent, some of them advanced their careers here while others were headhunted for senior roles with other fairground firms or launched their own businesses. When Orton and Spooner finished a new fairground ride they often ran it for a few days in Burton market place and invited fairground bosses from cities and towns around the country to visit the town and see the new ride in action.

Philanthropy

Nathan speaks often of his pride in building his restaurant business in Burton and he quietly supports community projects and local good causes. Orton & Spooner did the same, donating money to the local hospital (in the days before the NHS) and helping local community groups.

So that’s why I think there are clear comparisons between Orton & Spooner and Nathan Dawe. All three men have flown the flag proudly for Burton upon Trent and showed that with hard work, passion and ingenuity you can achieve your dreams and make a difference, bringing happiness to many along the way.