When the circus came to Watford (From Watford Observer)

When the circus came to Watford

11:52am Friday 5th March 2010 in

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A photograph of elephants parading through Watford in about 1954 brought back memories for Diana Whitney.

Mrs Witney, of Wayside Cart Path, Watford, said: “In the February 19 issue you showed a picture of elephants parading past the New Malden Hotel.

“I remember the circus coming to town on a few occasions.

“I think it was Billy Smart’s circus and they used to arrive by train.

“They all paraded from the junction station up Station Road and along St Albans Road and then up the A41.

“They used to have the circus on the grounds that is now Rushton Avenue and Clark Way.

“I cannot remember any other occasion at that time when elephants would have been parading along the roads.”

The same photograph led to a telephone call from Valerie Weatherly, of Queenswood Crescent, Garston. Mrs Weatherly said: “I was standing in the crowd with my mother and grandmother outside the pub opposite. I was six at the time.

“The elephants were holding each other’s tails. The clowns were juggling and there were cages with lions and tigers.

“It was quite a thing to see.”