I understand this was quite a spectacular custom built rolling home.
Thursday, March 19, 2009
Mary Chipperfield in Jimmy Chipperfields Caravan--1970
Posted by
Wade G. Burck
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A Blog designed for discussion of topics related to, but not limited to, Circus, Zoos, Animal Training, and Animal Welfare/Husbandry. Sometimes opening up the dialog is the best starting point of all. And if for nothing else when people who agree and don't agree, get together and start discussing it, it will open up a lot of peoples minds. Debate and discussion even amongst themselves opens a window where there wasn't one before.
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2 comments:
from Jim Stockley:
This is what we called 'The Reception Wagon' or 'The Big Wagon'. As the name suggests, it was used to receive and entertain the media & local dignitaries (Mayors, Councillors celebrities etc) where ever the show played.It hosted quite a few lively parties in its time! It was never used as a living wagon. The fireplace was modelled on Knebworth House and the bar you can see in the picture,behind Mary, was made from cut-glass and mirrors. The oak-panelled wall was on an electric motor and would slide across and hide the bar at the push of a button. In its heyday it was the domain of the Nigerian butler "Ali", complete with white kaftan and red fez with tassle (quite a set-up!). The Big Wagon was brought to South Africa when Chipperfields toured here in 1965/66/67 and remained here when they returned to the UK in 1968. Uncle Jim paid to have the wagon shipped back to the UK and completely refurbished (by Biddiscombe, the original makers) in 1969 and it stood for many years at 'Heathersette', Uncle Jim's house in Southampton.
Jim,
Great story. Thank you. I have heard about some of the parties, but had never heard about the gent in the fez and kaftan. That is a great bit of "ritz." Where is it at today, do you know. I should think it would have been kept, much like the rail cars of the Ringlings.
Wade
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