Chiarini's Royal Italian Circus and Performing Animals , also known as Chiarini's Circus and Menagerie or simply the Royal Italian Circus ( Italian : Circo Italiano ) was a renowned traveling circus company.
77-474: Chipperfield's Circus is a British family touring show, continuing a 300-year-old family business. Chipperfield's Circus originates with James Chipperfield with his performing animals at the Thames Frost Fair of 1684. Through the 19th century, the circus toured all of England , with a menagerie of animals, teams of acrobats and clowns . After World War II , under the management of Jimmy Chipperfield,
154-503: A bull-baiting , horse and coach races, puppet plays and interludes, cooks, tipling and other lewd places, so that it seemed to be a bacchanalian triumph, or carnival on the water. For sixpence, the printer Croom sold souvenir cards written with the customer's name, the date, and the fact that the card was printed on the Thames; he was making five pounds a day (ten times a labourer's weekly wage). King Charles II bought one. The cold weather
231-571: A clowning act with his father in the "Liliputian Circus". It is reported that he entered a den of animals at Wombwells when 14 years old. He started his own show when he acquired and trained a trick pony and worked as a juggler. He married Elizabeth Jones (4 July 1823 – 1856) in 1846. She died in 1856 at the age of 33. Elizabeth and James had three children: Sophia Sarah (13 December 1846 – 1927) married Henry Wesley in 1868 – James William Francis (4 October 1848 – January 1917) and Harriett Amy (1852–?). Later he married Sarah Ann Coan (Chapman) (1821–1890)
308-476: A Welsh pony to do tricks, as a boy, then trained a monkey to jockey on him. At age twelve bought his first ring horse and became a rider and clown with the family show. He spent the 1937 season, with the Chipperfield's animals, on Sweden's Circus Scott, where his riding was encouraged by Rudi Blumenfeld. Johnny married Doris Morche, a member of a German springboard troupe. During the second world war he served with
385-499: A clown at the family's fairground variety show when he was just five. Dick's father was Richard Chipperfield (1875–1959), Dick's mother was Emily Maud Seaton. Dick married Myrtle Eileen Slee. Myrtle and Dick had 4 children, two sons and two daughters. Jimmy, Dick's younger brother, also took part in the show as a clown, a wire-walker and an acrobat. It was in the early 1930s that the Chipperfields started to become well established in
462-574: A decision by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs to refuse him a licence to use two lions and a tiger in a travelling circus; he said that he plans a new appeal. He has been called Britain's last lion tamer. Sheila Chipperfield (born 17 June 1975, Coventry, England), is the daughter of Dick Chipperfield Sr.'s first cousin, Billy Chipperfield. Sheila was the bassist in the London-based rock band, Elastica from 1996 to 1998. Jim Stockley
539-515: A fine for cruelty to animals. In 2010, Chipperfield Circus returned without animals in the show, appearing at Cambridge and Rochester . Charles Chipperfield is the seventh generation of the original Chipperfield family of shows. In 2006, Charles Chipperfield put on a show in Malta , On 15 September 2010, Charles Chipperfield officially incorporated the Charles Chipperfield Circus and run
616-569: A horse drawn canvas wagon. Harriet died of pneumonia in 1841 at a fair in Rayleigh, Essex. Later James remarried and continued to tour with an even larger show. He retired and died in 1866. James William married Elizabeth Jones, their children continued the Circus tour. James William Chipperfield (1824–1913) was born in a caravan on 22 April 1824, at St. Martin at Oak, Norfolk. James is the son of James William Chipperfield and Harriet Amy (née Coan). He began
693-496: A number of years. In 2013, they moved the show back to England. Their son Thomas Chipperfield, like his grandpa and father, is a lion and tiger trainer. Mary Chipperfield (1938 – 2014), Jimmy Chipperfield's daughter, specialised in chimpanzee acts in the 1970s. She was also known as an animal trainer, providing animals for the film Doctor Dolittle (1967) and BBC productions. Mary tamed wild animals for roles in films and Chipperfield's Circus. Mary worked with her father in creating
770-470: A widow of John Coan. Sarah was caring for five of her late husband's children, two of which were Walter Coan and Elizabeth Coan. Sarah and James had 12 children, including: Harriet and James. James and Sarah had all 20 of their children working in the Circus as their grew up. Their daughter appeared as the youngest tight-rope dancer in the country. The Chipperfield's Circus introduced to Britain Zulus from Africa and
847-643: Is the son of Jimmy & Marjorie Stockley and supplies trained animals to the film industry in South Africa. Jamie Stockley is the son of Jim Stockley (grandson of Jimmy & Marjorie Stockley) and, together with his wife Dana, runs a successful game reserve and wedding venue in South Africa. River Thames frost fairs The River Thames frost fairs were held on the tideway of the River Thames in London , England in some winters, starting at least as early as
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#1732859474782924-566: The Netherlands , where at least many canals often froze over. These events in other countries as well as the winter festivals and carnivals around the world in present times can also be considered frost fairs. However, very few of them have actually used that title. During the Great Frost of 1683–84 , the most severe freeze recorded in England, the Thames was completely frozen for two months, with
1001-509: The sea-coal ...that one could hardly breath. An eye-witness account of the 1683–84 frost: On the 20th of December, 1688 [misprint for 1683], a very violent frost began, which lasted to the 6th of February, in so great extremity, that the pools were frozen 18 inches thick at least, and the Thames was so frozen that a great street from the Temple to Southwark was built with shops, and all manner of things sold. Hackney coaches plied there as in
1078-468: The 1990s. The show name rented to Tony Hopkins Promotions for his UK circus tour from 1992 to 1996. The show featured Dick Chipperfield Sr.'s grandson, Richard Chipperfield performing a lion act. In the 1990s, Graham Chipperfield toured with Ringling-Barnum, showing off three of his elephants: Patty, Zerbini and Luke. In 2002, it was reported by the BBC that Mary Chipperfield was abusing her animals, leading to
1155-607: The Aztecs from Mexico. He also entered in to the marionette is a puppet shows. He gradually worked his way to the front rank of showland with his menagerie, caged "Beast Show" and establishing his winter quarters in Norwich . He exhibited Robert Tippney, the "living skeleton". He was on the road all his life and claimed to be England's oldest showman. James William Chipperfield died at his home, Schwanfelder Street, Beeston, Leeds, in 1913, aged 89 years. James Francis Chipperfield (1848–1917)
1232-788: The Californian tour in 1868, including Sacramento , Stockton , and Marysville . The circus had left for Panama and the cities of South America by steamer in 1869. During a visit to Auckland, New Zealand , in January 1873, the circus company held an event. Chiarini's company landed in Melbourne in March 1873, arriving from New Zealand. On October 8, 1874, the troupe performed in Yokohama, Japan . In November 1879, returned to New Zealand in Wellington . In 1880,
1309-521: The Chipperfield Circus, and made her own small show. Sally Chipperfield is the daughter of Richard, Sr., married to Jim Clubb. Sally's show has lions shown by her husband. The show also has Russian Bears. Sally also has a show with dogs, monkeys and a liberty pony act. In 1980, two Chipperfield's lions found their way onto the grounds of Devizes School in Wiltshire . Chipperfield Circus, as run by
1386-603: The Chipperfield tour of Southern Africa 1965–1967 and returned to the UK 1968. Starting in 1970, he traveled with Chipperfields Circus in the UK training and presenting Asian & African elephants, horses, lions, tigers and dogs. He on died 13 November 1978 from leukaemia. Tommy Chipperfield was born and raised in the Chipperfield's Circus. He grew up on the road with a menagerie of animals, like chimps to giraffes before going to Marsh Court school in Stockbridge, Hampshire. Tommy performed in
1463-641: The Circus as a young boy. Tommy became a big cat trainer, as his father had been. He also undertook elephants and horses shows in the 1970s. Tommy worked for the Roberts brothers for two years. Tommy has worked in the UK and traveled with his show to Spain, South Africa and Australia. He married Marilyn, who he found in Australia. Marilyn has done riding, high wire, trapeze acts and more. The two worked in Ireland in Duffy's Circus for
1540-585: The Circus. His son John was a musician in the Circus, his daughter Mary Anne was a juggler and dancer in the Circus, His son Henry left the Circus and started a cinema show. His son Jim (James) was a musician in the Circus, then departed to Ireland and joined the Royal Italian Circus . His daughter Sophia married James Chittock. His daughter, Sarah married Ambrose Tiller a showman in the circus. His daughter, Rachael married Mr. Cartwright. His daughter, Mary Ann married Mr. Bartlett. His daughter, Minnie worked in
1617-505: The Dick Chipperfield family, ceased touring in the late 1980s. In the 1989–1990 season, Chipperfield Circus toured Ireland , commencing the season in Cork . The show ran for a few months featuring The Flying Souzas, Shiganio, Peter Althoff and members of the Chipperfield family. In the early 1990s, Charles Chipperfield, a son of Jonny Chipperfield, ran Chipperfield Brothers, but this ceased in
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#17328594747821694-475: The Liquid Thames frozen o’re, That lately Ships of mighty Burthen bore The Watermen for want of Rowing Boats Make use of Booths to get their Pence & Groats Here you may see beef roasted on the spit And for your money you may taste a bit There you may print your name, tho cannot write Cause num'd with cold: tis done with great delight And lay it by that ages yet to come May see what things upon
1771-482: The Longleat Safari Park. In 1999, she was accused of cruel treatment of some animals in her circus. In April 1998, an infant chimpanzee named Trudy had been seized by police and taken to the ' Monkey World ' sanctuary after being repeatedly kicked, beaten and made to sleep in a tiny box. Chipperfield was found guilty of twelve counts of cruelty to animals and fined £8,500. In 1979, Sally Chipperfield broke off of
1848-531: The Natal Lion Park and Game Reserve. James died on 31 May 1973, at the age of 58, following a blow to his chest during the inoculation of a gnu . He was the father of Jane, Carol, James (Jim) junior and Maryann. Johnny Chipperfield (1875–1978) was a rider, clown and animal trainer. John L., was the son of Richard Chipperfield (born 1875) and Maud née Seaton. Johnny Chipperfield was the younger brother of Dick, Maud, Jimmy and Marjorie. Johnny Chipperfield trained
1925-457: The RAF. He was demobilized on the day the family circus was due to open, at Southampton for the 1946 season. Johnny Chipperfield is the father of John, Tommy, Doris, Charles (married Keren, in 1988) and Sophie. John worked with the animals and helped manage the Circus. Doris worked with horses. Charles took care of the mechanical machines at the Circus. Sophie performed in a number of acts. He presented
2002-558: The UK. In 1955, Jimmy broke away from the family circus and after a brief time farming and managing other shows, he and daughter Mary began providing animals for film work. In the 1960s, he started making a career in "drive-through" safari parks . In 1966, he opened the Longleat Safari Park . In 1967, Jimmy opened the Johannesburg Lion Park, the third lion park in the world. Chipperfield had Larenty circus family manage
2079-586: The West Midland Safari Park. According to his autobiography, "My Wild Life", he pioneered the entire idea and among his first groups of animals was the lions featured in Born Free . Jimmy provided and trained pets and circus animals for Hollywood movies, like Walt Disney . Jimmy Chipperfield was a subject of the This Is Your Life in 1961, and a photograph of him with Eamonn Andrews is featured in
2156-400: The age of 68. The deceased was a popular midlands traveler, but for some time has been located at Ludgershall, Wilts., where he was interred. WF 27.1.17: "The funeral of the late Mr James W. Francis Chipperfield, who died after a long and painful illness on January 9, 1917 at the age of 68 at Ludgershall, Wilts., The deceased was an old and respected showman, being laid to rest with signs of
2233-429: The age of 83 in 1988. Jimmy Chipperfield, "James Seaton Methuen Chipperfield" (1912–1990), was born while Chipperfield's Circus was touring. His family owned and performed in the family Circus as clowns, acrobats and the animal trainers. Jimmy learned all the trades of the Circus. Jimmy married Rosie Purchase (1912–2006) in the early 1930s. Rosie's family had a traveling menagerie show of wild animals. After Rosie's father
2310-524: The age of five. The management of the circus was passed down to him in the early 1900s. In 1902 he added a Bioscope show to the attractions of the show at Birmingham , Manchester and London . Six films were shown at each presentation. The films included that of Marie Corelli riding in the Shakespeare Birthday procession and the HMS Albion disaster on the River Thames in 1898. Richard's hobby
2387-622: The banner of the Royal Spanish Circus. He later adopted Chiarini's Royal Italian Circus, serving as the company's manager and proprietor. In 1859, a wooden circus was provisionally opened in Havana for Smith & Chiarini's equestrian troupes. In 1863, Chiarini's circus company in Havana performed at Plaza de Armas . In January 1867, Chiarini's circus headed to Mexico. After an eleven-week run in San Francisco , Chiarini advertised more shows on
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2464-831: The book, “One Snowy Night” by Amanda Grange , the characters go to the Frost Fair of 1814. In the Doctor Who episode " A Good Man Goes to War ," River Song encounters Rory Williams as she is returning to her cell in the Stormcage Containment Facility. She tells him that she has just been to 1814 for the last of the Great Frost Fairs. The Doctor had taken her there for ice-skating on the river Thames. "He got Stevie Wonder to sing for me under London Bridge ," she says. When Rory expresses surprise that Stevie Wonder sang in 1814, River cautions him that he must never tell
2541-612: The circus became one of the largest in Europe , with a tent that could hold 6,000 people. The family in the same headship diversified into safari parks (in England founding those at Windsor and Knowsley and co-founding with the Marquess of Bath, Longleat Safari Park as well, with the Duke of Bedford, Woburn Safari Park ) and supplying fairgrounds supplies. Since his death in 1990, the circus has toured only intermittently, sometimes featuring members of
2618-510: The circus. His son Richard took over his father's circus in England. Jim (James) Jr. after departing his father's circus married Louisa; they had three daughters: Louisa, Minnie and Lily. James Francis died in 1917 aged 67; he was buried 8 June 1917 at Abode Fair Ground, Ludgershall, Wiltshire , England. From the World's Fair : WF13.1.17: "We regret to have to record the death of Mr James William Chipperfield, who died on Thursday last, January 4, at
2695-573: The collage of photographs on the first edition dust jacket of his autobiography. In 1979 Jimmy open a show called Circus World that toured and set up in the Great Yarmouth Hippodrome. All four of the Chipperfield siblings, Dick, Jimmy, Marjorie and John who were responsible for the circus's greatest successes are deceased: Marjorie died 1975, John died in 1978 and Jimmy died in 1990. Marjorie Chipperfield performed as Equestrienne , contortionist and equilibrist . Marjorie Suzanne Phyllis,
2772-520: The destruction of two enemy aircraft." James married Marjorie Suzanne Phyllis Chipperfield, on 15 December 1945, at Blaby, Leicestershire . As part of Chipperfield's circus, he kept the post-war show on the road, running. His daughter Carol Elizabeth was christened, at Bristol, in 1950. He was the director of Chipperfield's by 1951, when its headquarters were at Down farm, Stockbridge, In the 1970s, when Chipperfield's circus returned from South Africa, Jim Stockley and his wife Marjorie remained there, running
2849-555: The dogs, performed a comedy ride as 'Madame Spangaletti' and clowned with his brother Jimmy. Noted for his dog act, as 'Kelly', with Chipperfield's Circus, 1938–39. He appeared at the Tom Arnold 's Mammoth Circus, Harringay , 1949–50 and 1950–51 seasons, and with Chipperfield's circus, in 1950, exhibiting 'Paul's Peerless Poodles'. In 1951, he exhibited a high school riding show, at the Southend-on-Sea Kursaal circus. In 1952 he
2926-473: The extended Chipperfield family. The name Chipperfield dates back at least to James Chipperfield. He introduced performing animals to England at the Frost Fair on the Thames in 1684. His show performed for two months at the fair. Part of the fair was for showing animals. James William Chipperfield Sr. (1775–1866) was a bootmaker and made fancy-dress costumes for theatrical use in Drury Lane, London. His business
3003-684: The family's circus and the Liberty horses she performed in Eastbourne for the 1938–39 season. For the 1939–40 season she appeared as Mlle Marita, with performing bulls, at the Belle Vue circus. She appeared as Miss Marjorie doing a balancing and rolling at Poole's (Tom Fossett's) circus in September 1941. She exhibiting shoe horses at Arthur Joel's 'All-British' circus in 1941 and 1942, with her brother Johnny and Rosie (wife of Jimmy) Chipperfield. She also performed on
3080-526: The frozen river in which they sold goods. The first recorded frost fair for which the term "frost fair" was used was in 1608. There were barbers, pubs, fruitsellers and shoemakers, who lit fires inside of their tents to stay warm. Activities at the frost fair included football, and according to an article published in The Saturday Magazine in 1835, dancing, nine-pin bowling , and unlicensed gambling. The most celebrated frost fair occurred in
3157-420: The greatest love and sorrow. The following relatives and friends were present at the last sad journey (the widow not being able to attend through excessive grief): Mr John Chipperfield (son); Mrs James Chittock (daughter); Mrs A. Tiller (daughter); Mr Richard Chipperfield (son); Mr Henry Chipperfield (son); Mrs R. Cartwright (daughter); Mr Thomas Clark and Mrs John Chipperfield. The service were conducted by
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3234-677: The ice broke up starting on 5 February, several people drowned. Nearly a dozen printing presses were also on the ice, producing commemorative poems. A printer named George Davis published a 124-page book, Frostiana; or A History of the River Thames In a Frozen State: and the Wonderful Effects of Frost, Snow, Ice, and Cold, in England, and in Different Parts of the World Interspersed with Various Amusing Anecdotes . The entire book
3311-508: The ice reaching a thickness of 11 inches (28 cm) in London. Solid ice was reported extending for miles off the coasts of the southern North Sea (England, France and the Low Countries ), causing severe problems for shipping and preventing the use of many harbours. One of the earliest accounts of the Thames freezing comes from AD 250, when it was frozen solid for six weeks. In 923, the river
3388-503: The ice to the Horseferry from Westminster to Lambeth; as I came back I led him from Lambeth upon the middle of the Thames to Whitefriars ' stairs, and so led him up by them. And this day an ox was roasted whole, over against Whitehall. King Charles and the Queen ate part of it. Thames frost fairs were often brief, scarcely commenced before the weather lifted and the people had to retreat from
3465-402: The ice were done The inscription is based on handbills printed on the Thames during the frost fairs. An early chapter of the novel Orlando: A Biography by Virginia Woolf takes place on the frozen River Thames during the Frost Fair of 1608. In the historical mystery, The True Confessions of a London Spy by Katherine Cowley key events of the plot occur at the Frost Fair of 1814. In
3542-730: The last Chipperfield Circus performed there. Also in 2015, Charles Chipperfield Circus performed in South Bucks at Odds Farm Park. The 2016 show included flying Trapeze, Foot juggling from Ukraine, from Spain Keyla hula hoops tricks and the Wheel of Death. Thomas Chipperfield, who in 2014 worked with the Peter Jolly's Circus show, most recently made an appearance in Italy as a guest presenter with Moira Orfei in 2016. In April 2018, Chipperfield lost an appeal against
3619-557: The late 7th century until the early 19th century. Most were held between the early 17th and early 19th centuries during the period known as the Little Ice Age , when the river froze over most often, though still infrequently. During that time the British winter was more severe than it is now, and the river was wider and slower, further impeded by the 19 piers of the medieval Old London Bridge which were removed in 1831. Even at its peak, in
3696-454: The latter eventually taking the form of public festivals and fairs. The Thames was broader and shallower in the Middle Ages – it was yet to be embanked , meaning that it flowed more slowly. Moreover, old London Bridge , which carried a row of shops and houses on each side of its roadway, was supported on many closely spaced piers ; these were protected by large timber casings which, over
3773-484: The maintenance hangars and Nissen hut (Quonset), formerly used as offices, became homes for lions , tigers , snakes and monkeys . Jimmy Chipperfield fought as a fighter pilot in World War II. By 1953, Chipperfield's Circus ousted rivals Bertram Mills and Billy Smart and boasted a big-top tent which could accommodate 6,000 people. It had a collection of 200 horses , 16 elephants and 200 other animals. Dick died at
3850-427: The melting ice. Rapid thaws sometimes caused loss of life and property. In January 1789, melting ice dragged a ship which was anchored to a riverside public house , pulling the building down and causing five people to be crushed to death. There were frost fairs in 1715–16, 1739–40, and 1789. The frost fair of 1814 began on 1 February, and lasted four days, between Blackfriars Bridge and London Bridge . An elephant
3927-402: The mid-17th century, the Thames in London froze less often than modern legend sometimes suggests, never exceeding about one year in ten except for four winters between 1649 and 1666. From 1400 until the removal of the medieval London Bridge in 1831, there were 24 winters in which the Thames was recorded to have frozen over at London. The Thames freezes over more often upstream, beyond the reach of
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#17328594747824004-1116: The park. Jimmy opened the Windsor Safari Park in Windsor, Berkshire in 1969. In 1970, he helped to establish the Woburn Safari Park with John Russell, 13th Duke of Bedford and also a park in Stirling , Scotland , the Blair Drummond Safari Park at the Blair Drummond House. In 1971 he helped open the Knowsley Safari Park Jimmy Chipperfield and Annabel Lambton opened the Lambton Lion Park at Lambton Castle in July 1972, closed in 1980. Jimmy opened his West Midland Safari Park on 17 April 1973. The Windsor park closed in 1992 and lions there were moved to
4081-511: The river in 1536, Queen Elizabeth I took to the ice frequently during 1564, to " shoot at marks ", and small boys played football on the ice. Soon after Beilby Porteus , Bishop of London , took residence at Fulham Palace in 1788, he recorded that the year was remarkable "for a very severe frost the latter end of the year, by which the Thames was so completely frozen over, that Mrs. Porteus and myself walked over it from Fulham to Putney ". The annual register recorded that, in January 1789,
4158-435: The river was "completely frozen over and people walk to and fro across it with fairground booths erected on it, as well as puppet shows and roundabouts". In the pedestrian tunnel under the southern end of Southwark Bridge , there is an engraving by Southwark sculptor Richard Kindersley, made of five slabs of grey slate, depicting the frost fair. The frieze contains an inscription that reads (two lines per slab): Behold
4235-593: The rolling globe. In 1942 she moved the act to the Reco Brothers' circus and then the Harry Benet's stage circus. She married James (Jimmy) Stockley on 15 December 1945. She performed as Roxana, assisting Marsaline (Bertha Gridneff), on the high wire. Back with Chipperfield's circus she was put as the head of the girls' wardrobe, costumes, etc. In 1948, she became joint proprietor of Chipperfield's Circus with brothers Richard, James and John Chipperfield. Her elephant ballet
4312-603: The show with his wife Rebecca Chipperfield. In 2013, the Charles Chipperfield Circus did a show for East Anglia's Children's Hospice at Stonham Barns. In 2013, Frances Middleton performed with the Charles Chipperfield Circus show off aerialist, silks & hoop skills. In 2014, Charles Chipperfield Circus performed at Gorton Park in Manchester. In 2015, the Charles Chipperfield Circus performed in Southport , 25 years after
4389-524: The singer that he did. The Doctor Who episode " Thin Ice " is set during the final frost fair in 1814, and includes a reference to the elephant crossing stunt. Chiarini%27s Royal Italian Circus Italian-born equestrian Giuseppe Chiarini established the international circus company as the director. The circus first traveled across America in the mid-19th century and then started abroad. In 1855, Chiarini's Italian Circus performed in Greenville, Ohio . Chiarini began touring Cuba in 1856 under
4466-451: The streets. There were also bull-baiting, and a great many shows and tricks to be seen. This day the frost broke up. In the morning I saw a coach and six horses driven from Whitehall almost to the bridge ( London Bridge ) yet by three o'clock that day, February the 6th, next to Southwark the ice was gone, so as boats did row to and fro, and the next day all the frost was gone. On Candlemas Day I went to Croydon market, and led my horse over
4543-457: The tide to flow more freely; and the river was embanked in stages during the 19th century, all of which made the river less likely to freeze. There was nearly a frost fair during the severe winter of 1881, with Andrews (1887) saying, "it was expected by many that a Frost Fair would once more be held on the Thames". The Thames froze over several times in the 16th century: King Henry VIII travelled from central London to Greenwich by sleigh along
4620-411: The tide, especially above the weirs , of which Teddington Lock is the lowest. The last great freeze of the higher Thames was in 1962–63. Frost fairs were a rare event even in the coldest parts of the Little Ice Age. Some of the recorded frost fairs were in 695, 1608, 1683–84, 1716, 1739–40, 1789, and 1814. Recreational cold weather winter events were far more common elsewhere in Europe, for example in
4697-433: The traditional circus business and by the end of World War II the show had become one of the largest touring circuses in Europe. After the end of World War II the circus owners traveled to Sri Lanka and bought nine elephants which then led on to further acquisitions and the growth of the circus. During the late 1940s, the RAF Wethersfield base was used as a winter camping ground for the Circus. Elephants were housed in
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#17328594747824774-544: The troupe consisted of an American bison, two zebras, three full-grown Bengal tigers, three tiger cubs, eight performing dogs, over twenty well-trained horses, and six trick ponies. Chiarini's Royal Italian Circus and Performing Animals appeared in Singapore in 1882. A performance in front of the Maharajah of Johor , whose state was located directly to the north of Singapore's Crown Colony, took place on January 30, 1883. The troupe made an appearance in Adelaide, Australia , in 1884. According to records, negotiations for
4851-456: The vicar (Mr Bird). Patricia "Nanny Pat" Brooker from the ITVBe reality television series The Only Way Is Essex was the granddaughter of Henry Chipperfield and his wife, Edith Florence Holwill (née Buckingham; 1891–1981). Richard Chipperfield Sr. was the son of James Frances and Mary Ann (Jones) Chipperfield, born in 1875, at Sileby, Leicestershire. He was the fourth generation of the Chipperfield showmen. He first performed in public at
4928-402: The winter of 1683–84. Activities included horse and coach racing, ice skating, puppet plays and bull-baiting , as well as football, nine-pin bowling , sledding, fox hunting, and throwing at cocks . John Evelyn 's account of the 1683-84 frost fair: Coaches plied from Westminster to the Temple , and from several other stairs too and fro, as in the streets; sleds, sliding with skeetes ,
5005-473: The years, were extended – causing a narrowing of the arches below the bridge, thus concentrating the water into swift-flowing torrents. In winter, large pieces of ice would lodge against these timber casings, gradually blocking the arches and acting like a dam for the river at ebb tide . The first known frost fair on the River Thames was in AD 695, although it was not known by the title of frost fair. The river froze over for six weeks. Vendors set up booths on
5082-441: The younger daughter of Richard Chipperfield was born 12 December 1916. She was the fifth generation of the famous family, sister of Dick, Maude, Jimmy and John. In 1931 she did a bending and balancing act, climbing in and out of the narrow rungs of a ladder. In 1933, with Chipperfield's Lion Show, performed a rolling globe act. She performed with her brother Richard's circus, after he took over the circus from their father in 1937. With
5159-664: Was a transport, electrics expert and mechanic. He was born at Stoke-on-Trent in 1914. He worked in the motor trade there before the war. In the RAF during the WW2 he flew with Jimmy Chipperfield, as his navigator, and through Jimmy met Marjorie Chipperfield. James was awarded the Distinguished Flying Medal (DFM) for his wartime service. The Award stated: "As pilot and observer respectively, this officer and airman have participated in very many sorties. They have proved themselves to be highly skilled, cool and resolute members of aircraft crew and their keenness for operations has won much praise. One night in March, 1945, they were responsible for
5236-480: Was an animal trainer and menagerie proprietor in the Chipperfield Circus. Son of James William Chipperfield (1824–1913). James Francis was born 4 October 1848 in Tottenham Court Road , London. He was a member of the third generation of the show family. He performed in every village and town in the country and was a noted trainer of animals. "I can train anything from a rabbit to an elephant", he claimed. He and his wife, Mary Ann (Jones) had nine children, all who worked in
5313-436: Was killed by one of his lions, Jimmy took over the Purchase's show and merged it with the Chipperfield Circus. He took the circus on local and oversea tours. Jimmy began a bear wrestling show. The second world war closed down Jimmy's show. Jimmy signed up to be a fighter pilot for the RAF. After the war he put the show back together and made it bigger and made it shine. By April 1946, the Chipperfield circus had returned to touring
5390-545: Was led across the river below Blackfriars. Temperatures had been below freezing every night from 27 December 1813 to 7 February 1814 and numerous Londoners made their way onto the frozen Thames. Tradesmen of all types set up booths to sell their wares, and pedlars circulated through the crowd. Food and drink was being sold including beef, Brunswick Mum , coffee, gin, gingerbread, hot apples, Old Tom gin , roast mutton , hot chocolate, purl (wormwood ale), and black tea. Activities included dancing and nine-pin bowling . As
5467-405: Was not only a cause for merriment, as Evelyn explained: The fowls, fish and birds, and all our exotic plants and greens universally perishing. Many parks of deer were destroyed, and all sorts of fuel so dear that there were great contributions to keep the poor alive...London, by reason for the excessive coldness of the air hindering the ascent of the smoke, was so filled with the fuliginous steam of
5544-526: Was open to wheeled traffic for trade and the transport of goods for 13 weeks. In 1410, it lasted for 14 weeks. The period from the mid-14th century to the 19th century in Europe is called the Little Ice Age because of the severity of the climate, especially the winters. In England, when the ice was thick enough and lasted long enough, Londoners would take to the river for travel, trade, and entertainment ,
5621-528: Was painting, particularly of animals; examples adorn the walk-ups of his circus pavilion. He married Maud, daughter of George Seaton. The circus gradually grew and in 1933 combined with the Purchase family. Richard was the father of six children: Dick (Richard) and Jimmy (James) (who took over from their father in 1937), John ("Johnny"), Thomas Henry "Tom", Marjorie and Maud. Richard Chipperfield died in 1959. Richard (Dick) Chipperfield (1904–1988), began performing as
5698-658: Was presented Golden Palaminos, at Chipperfield's circus. His son John jr. was born on 20 July 1953. He was a horse trainer for Chipperfield's circus, from the 1950s on wards, he performed with Doreen Duggan in 1953. He performed with Chipperfield's, in Plymouth in 1954. During the mid-1950s began working with the Chipperfield elephants. He performed with Chipperfield's circus, at the Bingley Hall , Birmingham in 1957–58, exhibiting horses, ponies, elephants and chimpanzees. He accompanied his brother Dick and sister Marjorie to South Africa for
5775-656: Was presented at the Kelvin Hall circus, Glasgow in 1948 and 1949. She was the director of Chipperfield's circus in 1951, when their headquarters were at Down farm, Stockbridge, Hampshire , and later when the winter quarters moved to Heythrop, Oxfordshire . She looked after the family's wild animal reserve in South Africa until Jimmy Stockley's death in 1973. She died 11 December 1975, in Cape Town , South Africa. Her daughter Jane Stockley married Brian Boswell. James (Jimmy) Stockley
5852-686: Was slow in the summer when he joined travelling fairs and help put on small shows with his wife Mary Ann. The show grew to include dancing bears, monkeys, and trained pigs. In about 1803, James and Mary Ann had a son James William Chipperfield Jr. who would join the show. James William Chipperfield (1799 or 1803?–1866) grew up in his father's touring show. He was an assistant to Hamlin the conjuror. James married Harriet Amy Coan (4 December 1799-~1866) in Bury St Edmunds and had four children William James (1822– ), James William (1824–1913), Tom and Mary Phoebe (1826– ). James and Harriet tour with their own show in
5929-478: Was typeset and printed in Davis's printing stall which had been set up on the frozen Thames. The book contained an account of the frost, humorous sayings, anecdotes, various weather-related histories and specifics about "skaiting" according to a 1814 review. This was the last frost fair. The climate was growing milder; old London Bridge was demolished in 1831 and replaced with a new bridge with wider arches, allowing
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