I received this great vintage circus photo(I love old castles) from my mate, Jim Stockley, minus any other information. Possibly Jim will be so kind as to enlighten us.
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
Reco at Jedburgh Abbey, Scotland
Posted by
Wade G. Burck
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3 comments:
from Jim Stockley:
Sorry Wade, I was going to follow up with more info but got distracted by grandchildren!
I was prompted to send you the picture after seeing the Bertram Mills poster, featuring 'Reco', you posted a couple of days ago.
Reco (Herbert Rowe) had his own circus. It was the subject of a 1948 book "British Circus Life" by Lady Eleanor Smith which featured photos (this is one of them) by famous photographer John Hinde. It is almost like a painting? It's a lovely book if ever you come across a copy. I lifted this picture from Sue Lenz's album on her Facebook page, she has scanned and posted most of the images from the Reco book. [Thanks Sue for all your pictures,they are wonderful and tagged and dated ;-) ]
This picture, taken by John Hinde, shows Reco set up next to 12th century Jedburgh Abbey on the Scottish border. This was just after WW2 when lots of little shows (Chipperfields included) were struggling to get everything back together and set off to find fame and fortune. I think this picture really captures the mood of the era? I have a great picture somewhere from the 1945 period , of my Uncle Jimmy Chipperfield (Mary's father), still in RAF pilot uniform, training a little mixed group of lions and tigers inside a barn, in a cage made from old tunnel sections that had been flattened out ! Now that is having your eye on the ball!
I have just found a magazine feature on Chipperfields as they were in 1946, I'll scan it and send it to you in the next couple of days, if you'd like?
Jim,
Thank you, great stuff. The picture is lovely, and to me it captures the "bleakness" of two different era's struggling together.
I will look forward to the down loads. I have a lovely picture of Mary, in a bikini bathing with the elephants, that I will post someday when I am through enjoying it.
Be safe mate,
Wade
Hi,
My name is Gary Markwick and I have completed a book about my grandfather who left home in Edinburgh at the age of 12 and joined the circus. I would love to be be able to use the vintage photo that Jim Stockley has showing the Marqee and stately home in the background. My book is not about the circus, but about his adventures, leading up to him becoming The great Marlo.
Would be really grateful if you could email me on gary@palmistryinhand.com to let me know if this is ok.
Look forward to your reply ASAP.
Gary
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