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Northampton Road

The Big Top

Peter Wrighton

During the sixties my family lived in Northampton Road opposite the "Rec" as it was known.

There were two big events that took place there every year causing a great amount of excitement among us boys. One was the arrival of "Thurstons' Fair" and the other was "Billy Smart's Circus". Both arrived during the night and we would watch with wonder from our bedroom window. The picture shows the four poles of the "Big Top" being erected. I also seem to remember the animals coming by train and a procession from the station.

The picture of Northampton Road was taken by my grandfather,(I suspect in the 50s), looking towards the railway bridge with the Parish Church in the distance. There appears to be hedge beside the road which must have been removed before the field was used for the circus and fair. Note also the hoarding by the railway embankment advertising "Serenade at the Savoy.

This gallery was added by Peter Wrighton on 29/04/2013.

Comments about this page

Thurston's fair! The smell of fried onions, deisel fumes and "Shakin all over" by Johnny Kidd and the Pirates being played at full volume over and over. Smashing event!

By Raw Hide
On 10/07/2015

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