We had a fascinating trip to the National Fairground Archives (definitely worth a visit). Any place with a Professor Vanessa must be cool. We learned of the Testo’s and Pinders circus and that the Town Moor Festival and the circuses went to Jesmond Dene for a while. We were also able to buys some reference books too. Armed with our family ipad, Tappii and Pest took a photo of practically every page in the Wild West Circus Book while Matilda found a surprising object on the shelves celebrating “Matilda the Ugliest Woman in the world with a face like a bag full of door knobs!” It reminded us of Arthur’s notes on Mary Ann Bevan from a Wanted Section of Newspaper:
WANTED Ugliest Woman
Nothing repulsive or disfigured.
Good pay guaranteed and long engagements for successful applicant.
Send recent photograph
