The Lure of the Big Top

Without a doubt the major incident in hundreds of youngsters' lives last month was the visit of Sole Bros Circus to Nelson and surrounding centres. Undoubtedly, also, it was an event which they will remember for many years, for circus visits are very few and far between these days. Since it is seven years since a circus the size and quality of Soles visited us, we felt for the sake of those children who did not have the opportunity of seeing the show, that it should be recorded fully. Hence we have devoted four pages of pix to this event in the knowledge that the fun and thrills of the circus can be enjoyed by those who didn't see it, and re-lived by those many thousands who did.

The big top, the hub of life for many youngsters for a few days

The two elephants with the show travelled in their own truck

Auckland Point school reporters, Terry Horne and Michael Fisher, interview Gary and Mrs Pat Ridgeway.

Wendy Ashton found this little pony just loved candy floss

Joseph Eroni, animal trainer, and one of the horse acts

The big top on the way up

Normally we like to get as close as possible to our subjects, but on this occasion, with Eroni doing his stuff, we preferred a little distance and a few bars.