Wright Alarm Systems Ltd.

 Wright Alarm Systems Ltd. was based at 27 Windsor Road, Great Yarmouth, founded by John Wright in 1968.  Initially, the firm consisted of John himself, his wife Beryl and their helper Nick Dale.  Together they began building five fruit machines (the Grand Prix, Pacific, Lucky Lady, Bar One and Bar Six). Soon after, John's father Leslie joined them and they created a range of fibreglass kiddie rides, including the boat, dolphin, concord, baby dolphin and dino the dragon, as well as their most successful fruit machine, Cash Galore.


John Wright working on an injection moulding machine in his workshops - The Coin Slot, May 1970

Due to the small size of their business, they couldn't build all the machines at once.  Instead, they built up stock and added to it as the numbers ran down.  The original ride range was shown for the first time at the 1969 Blackpool Exhibition and a horse joined the line up at the 1970 show.


Leslie Wright paints Silver, a horse kiddie ride being produced in the workshops of Wright Alarm Systems Ltd. - The Coin Slot, May 1970

According to an article published in Coin Slot in May 1970, at that time they were building the "Golden Girl", a conversion of the Bally Gold Awards.  They produced most of their own components including rejectors, and carried out silk screening.  They also manufactured burglar alarms, which explains the name to anyone who may be wondering!  This came in handy when they brought both sides of the firm together for "Banditeer", a fruit machine stand with a built in alarm.

The company was wound down in 1973.


Closure Announcement, The London Gazette, February 1973

 I am a little confused by the company's early history, and have suspicions that the Wright family (possibly Leslie) may have had a prior company manufacturing kiddie rides.  You can read more on the Baby Dolphin page.  If anyone has further information, I would love to hear from you!

Ride Releases

Baby Dolphin
Boat Ride
Concord
Dolphin
Dino
Silver