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Traditional Canvas Pole Marquee Article |
| Traditional tents are still
used by a small number of UK marquee
contractors. Unfortunately the traditional
canvas centre pole marquee is no longer widely
available for weddings and private parties.
There are a number of companies who use them for
shows and events, but for an upmarket and
elegant wedding reception you may need to shop
around to find a good quality clean marquee
reserved for functions and weddings. |
| Photo details: A 15m x 9m
(50' x 30') traditional canvas pole marquee at
night. This elegant wedding tent by the side of
a lake would seat around 60 / 80 guests allowing
for a stage and dance floor. |
|
The problem
with traditional marquees is that the canvas is
difficult to maintain in good condition. They
leak a little when brand new (they become
watertight after a few good showers out on site)
and they suffer from mildew, have to be hung up
to dry when wet and they are almost impossible
to clean after a couple of seasons use. No
wonder most companies now use modern
aluminium frame marquees! However, there is
nothing to beat the elegance of a traditional
canvas marquee and it is well worth shopping
around to hire a good tent. |
| Photo details: 12m (40') wide
traditional marquee interior featuring a flat
white roof lining. These marquees are the
"traditional" shape but made from PVC rather
than canvas for more durability. Available from
South West
Marquees in Somerset. |
|
The modern
alternative to canvas is PVC. There are now many
manufacturers both here in the UK and the USA
who make the traditional shape using PVC roof
sheets and walls. The idea first started in the
US and these tents are often called "American
style marquees". Somewhat of a hybrid tent, they
have caught on with UK marquee contractors and
are quite widely available to hire. Some of the
"American" traditional marquees are very
attractive with peaked roofs and interesting
shapes. See
Twin Peak Marquee images. |
| Photo details: 15m (50') wide
traditional marquee interior featuring pleated
ivory roof and wall linings, a hard floor,
carpet, checker board dance floor with a
starcloth above (starcloth digitally enhanced).
These marquees are the "traditional" shape but
made from PVC instead of canvas for more
durability. Available from
South West Marquees in Somerset. |
For weddings, private parties
and summer balls there is nothing to beat
traditional marquees, whether you decide on a
very English canvas tent with wooden centre
poles and side poles; or the American style PVC
variety with aluminium centre poles and side
poles; they both make an interesting alternative
to modern frame tents.
Further reading:
Traditional Canvas Marquees and
Erecting a Marquee, both on the Marquee-Hire.Info
website. |
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|
Traditional Marquees
by County |
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|
Traditional
English canvas marquee |
|
American twin
peak PVC marquee |
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Canvas marquee
with no interior linings |
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