Rushden Research Group: Leisure - Circuses - Sir Robert Fossett's, 1979

The Circus Comes to Town

Circuses at Rushden

Sir Robert Fossett's Circus
in Spencer Park, 1979

Original Lord George Sanger 1897	Lord Sanger's Circus 1903	Robert Brothers' Circus 1956
Sanger's Circus 1959	Broncho Bill's Circus 1961
Sir Robert Fossett's Circus 1979	Weight's Circus 1983	James Brothers Circus 1983
Circus Rialto 1984	Circus Fiesta 1987	Elephants at the Railway Station

The Rushden Argus March 28^th 1919, transcribed by Susan Manton

Lord John Sangers 1919 Tour is the first since the outbreak of war, his staff, horses and elephants all having been employed on War Work. Lord John has himself been on work of national importance. Date of visit to Rushden is Monday April 14^th.

Various circuses visited Rushden, including Robert Brothers, Sir Robert Fossett's, Lord George Sangers, Broncho Bill's. Later on there were others such as Circus Fiesta and Circus Atlas.

Rushden was never a particularly good town for circuses. The big shows went to Bedford, Kettering and Northampton where they could stay for a week and be packed every night.

Bertram Mills' Whole Circus travelled by train, as did Billy Smart - complete with 17 elephants!! Kettering Recreation Ground was ideal as it was adjacent to the Railway Station.

Robert Brothers wintered at Polebrook, near Oundle (and still do); Fossett's at Hopping Hill, Duston, Northampton.

Rushden was a good, local place to start the season, then if any problems arose or anything needed repairing it was not too far to pop back to the farm and get it fixed.

Visit Jon Anton's site at www.antons-show.co.uk/heritage