The amazing circus images featured are from Bill Cody’s Wild West Show, Billy Smarts Circus and Chipperfields Circus when they all visited Portsmouth and Southsea over the years.
Do you remember going to the circus?
1. When the circus came to town
Circus elephants enjoying the sea at Southsea seafront. Photo: -
2. When the circus came to town
The Elephant & Castle in Sultan Road, Buckland, with elephants provided by a visiting circus in 1930. The chap holding the bucket, which was filled with beer, was the aptly-named Charlie Phillpots, the pub cellarman. Photo: -
3. When the circus came to town
Circus elephants Chipperfields Circus at St Mary's Hospital, Milton in 1952.A young boy patient sent a letter to Chipperfields located on Southsea Common, telling them that he could not come, but could they come to him. Amazingly, they did. Some animals even went into the wards for the children to see. Photo: -
