Tag Archives: circus

Pablo Fanque’s return to Norwich

Posted on October 20, 2019 by elizabethjayne2015

Pablo Fanque, born as William Darby, was the first black British circus proprietor. Apprenticed at an early age to William Batty, a well-known equestrian and circus proprietor, he was first trained as an acrobat and gymnast and then in horsemanship. … Continue reading →

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Wombwell’s Travelling Menagerie: How animals have inspired art in the archives

Posted on February 18, 2016 by elizabethjayne2015

Visits by travelling circus companies were popular and eagerly anticipated in Norwich throughout the nineteenth century. Many of the early shows were menageries which displayed many different species of animal. Early menageries to visit Norwich included Polito’s, who displayed his animals … Continue reading →

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Black History Month: Part 2

Posted on October 12, 2015 by emilysarah2012

Last week’s post looked at three black residents in Norwich connected to the campaign against slavery. This post turns the attention to black Norwich residents who are remembered through history in other unique and diverse ways. Two of these were were … Continue reading →

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