Thanks so much for posting this. I grew up near the Greenock Road in Paisley and I went with my school class to see this circus at the Racecourse. I saw several circuses parade down Greenock Road (including the infamous Bronco Bill's - does anybody else remember them?), but I'm not sure if I saw this particular parade. However, it's a safe bet that I knew some of the weans you can see watching from the pavements. And it was obviously sunny and warm!
@maidofbute I was brought up in Shortroods and also seen many a parade to the Racecourse, probably even this one. I can remember watching them unloading a Circus in the railway siding at St James which I'm sure was the one with Bronco Bill, I'd probably be about 7-8 at the time...Happy Days!. Used to always love the BB parades too, and can you remember the massive Army displays at the Racecouse with all the Trucks & Artillery. Also got some great memories of HMS Sanderling now Glasgow Airport
whatever happened to the Hassanni Troupe of wonderful acrobats who were with smarts circus in the 1960's. they used to entertain at the Goose Fair at Halloween and also appeared at the theatre royal in the early 60's. i Ithink some of them were from Syria, Lebanon, & their manager may have been jewish. Anyone know? I would love to hear.
I like the fact on the side of the elephant it advertised capstan cigarettes!lol!The days of tobacco advertising are gone forever!Just been to see Billy Smarts Circus in Hull,it was great.They dont have the animals any more though.
Bet my mum and dad are on this video. Mum and dad worked in Billy Smarts from 1957 to around 1963. Mum was a trapeze artist and dad looked after elephants and horses and also rode them in the circus ring. Just a great video, thanks for posting it just wish I could see their faces clearer, but thanks anyway.
@katrina1reading wow my mum worked for Billy Smarts too, riding the horses and elephants and occasionally helping the high trapeze...I was even named after a little boy from the arabic Tumbling troupe that sadly died in an accident. Its amazing to find a connection out there, my mum was Anne did your parents know her?
@katrina1reading - lol this is my sons account, I didn't realise would post in his name so obviously that doesn't make much sense as the child I was name after was called Sherady
where id you get this video? My gran has pictures of a parade going up Kirkcaldy High Street in Fife form like way wy back, well there black and white anyway! lol really ae! x
My Father took this film using a clockwork (yes wind up) Kodak 8mm cine camera from the window of a friends house in Paisley. I transferred it to video.
do you have any more Videos ?
DJCossie 1 year ago
Thanks so much for posting this. I grew up near the Greenock Road in Paisley and I went with my school class to see this circus at the Racecourse. I saw several circuses parade down Greenock Road (including the infamous Bronco Bill's - does anybody else remember them?), but I'm not sure if I saw this particular parade. However, it's a safe bet that I knew some of the weans you can see watching from the pavements. And it was obviously sunny and warm!
maidofbute 1 year ago
@maidofbute I was brought up in Shortroods and also seen many a parade to the Racecourse, probably even this one. I can remember watching them unloading a Circus in the railway siding at St James which I'm sure was the one with Bronco Bill, I'd probably be about 7-8 at the time...Happy Days!. Used to always love the BB parades too, and can you remember the massive Army displays at the Racecouse with all the Trucks & Artillery. Also got some great memories of HMS Sanderling now Glasgow Airport
TheBossjock 10 months ago
Comment removed
maidofbute 1 year ago
brings back childhood memories.i must have seen this live...we always went to the parade...sometimes we couldn`t go to the circus for lack of funds.
holmsatlarge 2 years ago
Wow~I remember these parades when I was a kid there back then...thanks for the memory...appreciated.
tom080955 2 years ago
great vid !
alexairlie 3 years ago
whatever happened to the Hassanni Troupe of wonderful acrobats who were with smarts circus in the 1960's. they used to entertain at the Goose Fair at Halloween and also appeared at the theatre royal in the early 60's. i Ithink some of them were from Syria, Lebanon, & their manager may have been jewish. Anyone know? I would love to hear.
kearnsy67 3 years ago
Hi, Absolum was in the Hassanni Troupe. He was married to my mums friend Jill. I could find out for you if you like what happened to them.
katrina1reading 3 years ago
Hi Katrina,thank you for your message. Iwould love to know what did happen the hassanni Troupe, could you find out for me,Thanks .
kearnsy67 3 years ago
Hi, I will find out for you from my mum.
katrina1reading 3 years ago
I like the fact on the side of the elephant it advertised capstan cigarettes!lol!The days of tobacco advertising are gone forever!Just been to see Billy Smarts Circus in Hull,it was great.They dont have the animals any more though.
danniiminogueishot 3 years ago
Bet my mum and dad are on this video. Mum and dad worked in Billy Smarts from 1957 to around 1963. Mum was a trapeze artist and dad looked after elephants and horses and also rode them in the circus ring. Just a great video, thanks for posting it just wish I could see their faces clearer, but thanks anyway.
katrina1reading 4 years ago
I think I worked with your mum & dad. Is your mothers name Carol?
joannie180 3 years ago
Yes mum's name is carol and dad Freddy.
Mum remembers a few joans, which one are you? If you want to contact her let me know your email address and I'll send you mums.
katrina1reading 3 years ago
@katrina1reading wow my mum worked for Billy Smarts too, riding the horses and elephants and occasionally helping the high trapeze...I was even named after a little boy from the arabic Tumbling troupe that sadly died in an accident. Its amazing to find a connection out there, my mum was Anne did your parents know her?
KitChurchward 4 months ago
@katrina1reading - lol this is my sons account, I didn't realise would post in his name so obviously that doesn't make much sense as the child I was name after was called Sherady
KitChurchward 4 months ago
where id you get this video? My gran has pictures of a parade going up Kirkcaldy High Street in Fife form like way wy back, well there black and white anyway! lol really ae! x
mcqueenFAKE 4 years ago
My Father took this film using a clockwork (yes wind up) Kodak 8mm cine camera from the window of a friends house in Paisley. I transferred it to video.
donaldwh 4 years ago
@mcqueenFAKE could you make a Slideshow of the pics and put them on here so we can see them Please
DJCossie 1 year ago
wonderful Billy smarts in the 60s! thats prob my friends mum on one the elephant! Caroviolina -Billy smarts 2005
carolineviolinist 4 years ago
Hi, what was your friends mums name?
katrina1reading 3 years ago
very interesting to see this- a piece of circus history!
FJMLAM 4 years ago
wow great vid!
gfgfgfghghgh 4 years ago