Billy Smart's Circus 1954 at Bingley Hall (pages 14-15)
A page showing the famous Billy Smart "chimps" playing tennis and two more featured acts from the circus. Firstly we have "the famous Tagora" who was an accomplished fakir. Secondly we have the "Ifni ...
Billy Smart's Circus 1954 at Bingley Hall (pages 16-17)
These pages from the programme feature heartwarming stories of the circus coming to "your" town.
Billy Smart's Circus 1954 at Bingley Hall (pages 18-19)
These pages from the programme feature Captain Fleming's Sea-Lions. The opposite page is an advert, after the "Greatest Show on Earth" it is suggested you follow it with the greatest treat of the day ...
Billy Smart's Circus 1954 at Bingley Hall (pages 20-21)
On these pages from the circus programme we have a piece on "the guv'nor" Billy Smart himself. The right hand page focuses on the Polar Bears and Racing Camels.
Billy Smart's Circus 1954 at Bingley Hall (pages 22-23)
Behind the scenes at the circus showing the 250 kilowatt power station which literally kept the circus going. The lower picture shows Billy Smart Junior and Mrs Davidd Smart with celebrity visitors Gabrielle ...
Billy Smart's Circus 1954 at Bingley Hall (pages 2-3)
These pages include an introduction by the Smart's. Founder Billy Smart along with presumably his sons David, Ronald and Billy Junior. Billy endorses the suitability of Bingley Hall for his circus.
Billy Smart's Circus 1954 at Bingley Hall (pages 4-5)
The circus was visited by several distinguished visitors on the Scottish tour of the previous year, the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester with their two boys and, perhaps most notably, Father Christmas.
Billy Smart's Circus 1954 at Bingley Hall (pages 6-7)
A page showcasing the zebras and the Billy Smart's zoo which accompanied the circus. On the facing pafe there is a profile of the Five Fellars who were a low-wire trapeze act.
Billy Smart's Circus 1954 at Bingley Hall (pages 8-9)
On these pages from the Christmas programme we have an advert for Esso Extra and a page on the comic crazy antics of the Clowns.
Bingley Hall
Bingley Hall used to stand just off Broad Street in the Symphony Hall/ Repertory Theatre area. It was regularly used for public events of all kinds, most famously perhaps for the annual cattle shows and ...
Birchfield Branch Library
This building on Birchfield Road was once known as the Perry Barr Institute. It became Birchfield Library, a satellite of Handsworth Library in September 1897, when the two front rooms began to be used, ...
Birchfield Harriers running track, Perry Barr
Birchfield Harriers running track, Perry Barr
Birchfield Harriers running track, Perry Barr
Birchfield Harriers running track, Perry Barr
Birchfield Harriers running track, Perry Barr
Birchfield Harriers running track, Perry Barr
Birchfield Harriers running track, Perry Barr
Birchfield Harriers running track, Perry Barr
Birchfield Harriers running track, Perry Barr
Birchfield Harriers running track, Perry Barr
Birchfield Library, Perry Barr
Interior of Birchfield Public Library, Perry Barr, looking remarkably smart in 1952. The building dates from 1874 but only became a branch library in 1886. Many of the books on the right sport traditional ...
Birchfield Library, Perry Barr
Birchfield Public Library, Perry Barr. This 1952 interior view with no signs of wear and tear might suggest that the library had recently been decorated and re-fitted.