Blast

I arrived at Minchinhampton Common to find the usually bald patch of grass transformed by brightly painted wagons.

We pass members of the company lounging in deck chairs under a canvas canopy with cups of tea in their hands.

Next to the make shift stable a couple of geese (and a baby duck) waddle round each other.

Wagons

The central tent is edged by beautiful wagons, which could only carry a circus. 

They are painted the shade of Black Cherries, with the companies namesake iced over the sides in cream letters. 

The Tour Manager tells me that they are original touring wagons that were found in a barn and have since been renovated.

Giffords Circus

Nell Gifford

Striding purposely through my right field of vision, I behold the pink velveteen slacks of the ring leader and manageress, Nell Gifford. 

I am asked into her personal wagon to conduct my interview.

I couldn't wait to see what was inside and whether it would match the grandeur of its exterior.

The bronze knocker-ed door opens and I step into Nell's sumptuous parlour. It takes me several minutes to soak up the beautifully furnished surroundings. 

The retro décor includes an antique wood burning stove, a colourful teapot on a colourful teacloth, capped by wooden chairs.

In between phone calls, which attempt to organise a visit to 'Man on Wire' (a circus performers choice), we discuss the circus tradition and Nell's involvement in it.  

Her deep voice and stern gaze fixes on me as she answers my questions. 

I start to inadvertently shrivel a little in her stoic presence. Meeting this lady in person, it is easy to discern how she can command a circus. 

Tricks of the Trade

I begin by asking her how she ever joined the circus in the first place. She tells me simply that it is all she has ever wanted to do. 

She spent a Gap year working with a Circus in America and her post university years working with various European outfits.

The spell of the Circus has not been broken for Nell who tells me how she loves the Nomadic way of life and the people she meets on the road.  

She has partaken in circus jobs from ice cream vendor to elephant rider. In the year 2000 she achieved her ultimate dream when she established her own Circus Touring Company. 

Giffords Circus

The UK Circus Renaissance

Nell and her husband Toti, a Gloucester-based farmer, created Gifford's together, renovating the wagons and accumulating Circus equipment. 

They work throughout the year to create an annual summer tour. 

Nell tells me that the Circus has seen a decline, despite once being a strong part of British culture which was enjoyed by all ages.

Nell hopes to bring the circus back to its former romantic splendour.

The first circus

My chats with Nell led me to do some research. Could London really claim to have the first circus?

Apart from the Greeks and the Romans who began something resembling circus activities, which they performed in amphitheatres, London was the main performing ground of the first established Circus.  

In 1768, Philip Astley - a British sergeant-major with 'fancy' riding skills - set up his circus, the 'Amphitheatre of Equestrian Arts', in the heart of London town. 

This was soon rivalled by John Hughes' Royal Circus, who toured big performance spaces such as the London Hippodrome.

I'm off to the Circus

After hearing about all the acts which will be featuring in the show, I was keen to visit Gifford's Circus 2008! 

You'll be the first to read up about how it went!