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Circus Friends Association of Great Britain (Established 1934)

 Organisation

Biography

The CFA, formerly known as the Circus Fans Association was stablished on Saturday 20th January 1934 in the ring of Bertram Mills Circus at Olympia, London by a group of enthusiasts. The CFA’s purpose remains the same as in its conception; to stimulate, foster and promote enthusiasm for circus and related performances as part of British culture.

During 1934, the pattern for CFA activities was established, with the formation of the library, the publication of The Sawdust Ring magazine and the first rallies, including ones to the Hippodrome Circus in Great Yarmouth and Blackpool Tower. The annual subscription at the time was one guinea for residents in a radius of 60 miles from London 'as defined by Automobile Association handbook', and half a guinea for those residing outside that area, in the provinces. 'For residents in the Colonies and foreign counties' the subscription was 7/6.

The first President of the CFA was Lady Eleanor Smith (1902-1945), the eldest child of the politician F. E. Smith. Lady Eleanor Smith was an author, a society reporter and cinema reviewer and worked as a publicist for circus companies.

Other notable presidents were; Dame Laura Knight (1877-1970), the most celebrated British impressionist female artist of all time and the first woman to ever be elected to the Royal Academy. The actor Sir Cedric Hardwicke (1893-1964), wine merchant and philanthropist Sir Walter Gilbey (1831-1914), theatrical manager and empresario Sir Charles B. Cochran (1872-1951), Sir William Savory (1882-1961), author Antony Hippisley Coxe and Commander W. J. Gerard.

The first five years of the CFA saw the firm establishment of the Association its activity, although it was active by Alfred 'Dickey' Bird. The post-war years were difficult but the CFA continued operating with the same aims and ambitions.

The library was started in 1937, as a gift of 30 books from A.C. McLachlan. Others titles were acquired by purchase or donation. It contains books on virtually every aspect of circus life from individual acts, to acts of Parliament, from erecting a Big Top, to the logistics of transporting circuses, works of fiction, photography and juvenile literature all of which help to create a greater understanding of the many contrasts in circus life; of the romance, tragedy, spectacle and hardships.

Notable authors who have contributed to the myth and legend of circus include Lady Eleanor Smith, who in 1945, donated all her circus books to the CFA, Ruth Manning-Sanders and Courtney Ryley Cooper, an American writer who, after having first joined a circus aged 16, went on to write crime books and ghost-wrote articles under J. Edgar Hoover’s name in the 1930s.

After the war lists of holdings were printed and distributed to members, who could borrow a book at a time by post. By the mid 1970s, the ‘Library Catalogue’ listed 525 books and a ‘Circusiana’ section was created for valuable books, for reference only.

The CFA continues maintaining the collection, ensuring its growth and establishing it as the primary, national collection of books on circus.

The CFA has also amassed one of the most fascinating and important collection of circus related material in the United Kingdom expanding over 200 years. This material has supported research and literature produced by its members over the years and has ensured that an important part of British circus history will be available for future generations of researchers and enthusiasts.

The association has always welcomed enthusiasts and circus artistes to it’s membership and has always produced a regular publication giving news, reviews and articles on circus artistes and personalities and reviews of British and foreign circuses. The current quarterly magazine King Pole, named after the masts, which support a circus tent, is regarded as one of the leading circus periodicals in the world.

The CFA continues to organise visits, formerly called rallies, for the members, to UK circuses and recognises the achievements of those involved in circus with special awards.

After almost 85 years in existence the CFA continues to flourish with membership being maintained in the region of 500 comprising both British and subscribers from abroad.

Found in 1288 Collections and/or Records:

Gerry Cottle's Circus Parade Programme, c1900 - 1999

 Item
Reference code: 178K43.440
Scope and Contents

Colour photograph of performers posing in the circus ring and green, yellow and purple type on the front cover, inside introduction to Gerry Cottle's story and his family with colour photographs and various articles on animal welfare, the history of circus and others with colour photographs, programme missing, 6p.p.

Dates: c1900 - 1999

Gerry Cottle's Circus Poster, Magazine Programme, 1978 - 1979

 File
Reference code: 178K43.401
Scope and Contents Bradford programme. Six fold poster/programme with colour photograph of circus ring with acts and performers in circles around the edges on the front cover, year of the clown article with colour photographs, article on history of circus with black and white and colour photographs, show business on wheels article with colour photographs and poster inside with the same image as the front cover, two additional inserts, one contains the programme with a black and white photograph of Charlie...
Dates: 1978 - 1979

Gerry Cottle's Circus Programme, c1900 - 1999

 File
Reference code: 178K43.406
Scope and Contents

Four fold brouchure with colour photograph of five white face clowns on a black background and red and yellow type on a blue background inside a blue oblong shape on top left, inside information about Gerry Cottle and colour photographs, colour photographs of acts and performers in the centre, commercial advertising and added insert programme.

Dates: c1900 - 1999

Gerry Cottle's Circus Programme, c1900 - 1999

 Item
Reference code: 178K43.408
Scope and Contents

Four fold brouchure with colour photograph of five white face clowns on a black background and red and yellow type on a blue background inside a blue oblong shape on top left, inside information about Gerry Cottle and colour photographs, colour photographs of acts and performers in the centre, commercial advertising and added insert programme.

Dates: c1900 - 1999

Gerry Cottle's Circus Programme, 1984 - 1985

 Item
Reference code: 178K43.409
Scope and Contents

Four fold brouchure with colour photograph of five white face clowns on a black background and red and yellow type on a blue background inside a blue oblong shape on top left, inside information about Gerry Cottle and colour photographs, colour photographs of acts and performers in the centre, commercial advertising and added insert programme.

Dates: 1984 - 1985

Gerry Cottle's Circus Programme, 1976

 Item
Reference code: 178K43.412
Scope and Contents

Black and white illustration of clown on the left, roaring lion in the centre and ice skater on the right with circus tent and elephants and horses on the background and international flags above on the top section and programme below.

Dates: 1976

Gerry Cottle's Circus Programme, Christmas season 1976

 Item
Reference code: 178K43.419
Scope and Contents

Colour illustration of clown's face with yellow gloves on a blue background and five colour balloons on the front cover, inside black and white photographs of acts and performers within star shapes and programme in the centre, other information on back cover within two flags, 2p.p.

Dates: Christmas season 1976

Gerry Cottle's Circus Programme, 1976

 Item
Reference code: 178K43.422
Scope and Contents

Colour photograph of circus acts in the ring including aerial acts, floor acrobatics and clown on the front cover, inside introduction, colour and black and white photographs of acts and performers with text and other articles and programme, 8p.p.

Dates: 1976

Gerry Cottle's Circus Programme, 1978

 Item
Reference code: 178K43.423
Scope and Contents

Black and white photograph of aerial act in the circus ring, blue and white type and blue border with white stars on the front cover, inside introduction to Gerry Cottle and Charlie Cairoli, with black and white photographs and equestrian act above programme, on back cover black and white photographs of perfomers and acts, 2p.p

Dates: 1978

Gerry Cottle's Circus Programme, Christmas season 1977-1978

 Item
Reference code: 178K43.424
Scope and Contents

Cardiff. Black and white photograph of woman and tiger on a platform in a circus ring and an orange border with white stars on the front cover, inside black and white photographs of Mary Chipperfield, Gerry Cottle and an elephant act and text and programme, on the back cover black and white photographs of acts and performers with text, 2p.p.

Dates: Christmas season 1977-1978

Gerry Cottle's Circus Programme, c1900 - 1999

 Item
Reference code: 178K43.425
Scope and Contents

The Grand Programme. Black type on white background with smiley clown's face and stars by the title and programme below and line border around it with decorative corners.

Dates: c1900 - 1999

Gerry Cottle's Circus Programme, 19 - 26 November 1976

 Item
Reference code: 178K43.426
Scope and Contents

Wattaya-Muscat, Oman. Red, green, blue and white type on white background with green, red, white and blue lines on the bottom section on the front cover, inside introduction, programme and black and white photographs of acts and performers, 6p.p.

Dates: 19 - 26 November 1976

Gerry Cottle's Circus Programme, c1900 - 1999

 Item
Reference code: 178K43.428
Scope and Contents

Black and white type on white background with programme on front cover, inside articles about the circus practices and standards and wild animal welfare on back cover commercial advertising, 2p.p.

Dates: c1900 - 1999

Gerry Cottle's Circus Programme, 1974

 Item
Reference code: 178K43.429
Scope and Contents

Colour illustration of large clown's face and roaring lion's head on right hand side with circus ring on the left showing three elephants and their trainer performing below world flags on the front cover, inside introduction, black and white photographs of acts and performers and programme, commercial advertising on back cover, 6p.p.

Dates: 1974

Gerry Cottle's Circus Programme, 1974-1975

 Item
Reference code: 178K43.430
Scope and Contents

Sophia Garden Pavilion, Christmas Season. Colour illustration of large clown's face and roaring lion's head on right hand side with circus ring on the left showing three elephants and their trainer performing below world flags on the front cover, inside introduction, black and white photographs of acts and performers and programme, commercial advertising on back cover, 6p.p.

Dates: 1974-1975

Gerry Cottle's Circus Programme, 1991

 Item
Reference code: 178K43.434
Scope and Contents

The grand Programme. Black type on white background with programme below and star border around it.

Dates: 1991

Gerry Cottle's Circus Programme, c1900 - 1999

 Item
Reference code: 178K43.435
Scope and Contents

Colouring book and puzzle pages programme. Colour illustration of smiley clown on front cover with yellow and blue type on a red background on the top section on the front cover, inside programme and circus scenes to colour and central puzzle page, 8p.p.

Dates: c1900 - 1999

Gerry Cottle's Circus Programme, Tuesday 18 - Saturday 29 March 1980

 File
Reference code: 178K43.436
Scope and Contents Southampton. Six fold poster/programme with colour photograph of circus ring with acts and performers in circles around the edges on the front cover, year of the clown article with colour photographs, article on history of circus with black and white and colour photographs, show business on wheels article with colour photographs and poster inside with the same image as the front cover, additional insert programme, seaside special article with colour photographs on reverse. Printed by W. E....
Dates: Tuesday 18 - Saturday 29 March 1980

Gerry Cottle's Circus Programme, c1900 - 1999

 Item
Reference code: 178K43.386
Scope and Contents

White, red and blue type on white background with name of circus and programme on the front. Printed by W. E. Berry Ltd, Bradford.

Dates: c1900 - 1999

Gerry Cottle's Circus Programme, c1900 - 1999

 Item
Reference code: 178K43.387
Scope and Contents

Black and white photograph of Gerry Cottle with a circus tent and a BBC truck on the background and a blue border with white dots on the front cover, inside black and white portraits of performers in circles with their names and programme towards the bottom right, on the back cover advertising for world tour, 2p.p.

Dates: c1900 - 1999