A former resident told me a circus used to winter their animals at a farm on Stanwell Moor. The story sounded so far-fetched that I had to research it, but where to start? Initially I drew a blank but over time and from interviews with other residents I’ve been able to piece this together. From the original source, it was Paulo’s Circus. The period was post-WWII and the late 1940’s. Assuming that approx. year is correct, since the then Paulo’s Circus folded up in 1949 it’s possible the animals were being stored in the village while they were re-homed, but the story is that they were wintered on the Moor. Regardless, they were certainly here! Paulo's Royal Circus Newspaper Advert, circa late 1940's © Paulo's Circus How do I know that? Well another ex-resident who lived at Silverbeck as a child, told me that one Christmas their father shouted for her and her sister to come down from their bedrooms as he had a surprise, which turned out to be a circus elephant! The same lady also recalled waking up one morning to three zebras running around their back garden, apparently having escaped from the nearby farm. Is this the elephant that charmed the sisters at Silverbeck? Paulo's Circus elephant arriving in Helsinki, 1950. Frank Paulo has his back to the camera (with the fancy boots!) © Paulo's Circus So the next question is “which farm?” and a clue came from another resident who told me about the “slots in the wall” on Hithermoor Road, and sure enough, if you look at the wall at 237-245 Hithermoor Road, directly opposite 128, you’ll see several slots cut into the bottom of the wall where it meets the pavement surface. Slots in the wall at 237-245 Hithermoor Road © Google Maps The story goes that the slots were built into the wall by the farmer so the animal handlers could hose and brush the mess out onto the pavement and into the gutters when they were mucking out the elephant’s enclosure! These houses are built on land adjacent to what was Moor Stud Farm, so the wall is likely a remnant of its boundary with Hithermoor Road, and this would have been the closest farm to Silverbeck, which helps explain the zebras in the garden! In 1949-50 Moor Stud Farm was owned by local Farmer Bill Hutchings, who also owned Hithermoor Farm to the south. I've spoken with Bill’s son who confirmed that Frank Paulo and his father were close friends, and he has fond memories of visiting Chessington as a boy to watch Frank and his family perform in the late 50's. Taking a look at the Electoral Register for 1950, Frank and some other family members were registered as living at Moor Stud which pulls the Circus, the location, the relationship and the year together nicely! Now we can confirm a circus was in the village, it would be great if someone had captured some pictures, but who would have thought to do that? So I contacted the current Paulo’s Circus who are the same family, and amazingly someone in 1950 did think to take a few pictures, which they're happy for me to share. Paulo's Circus at Moor Stud Farm © Paulo's Circus Paulo's Riding Troupe practising at Moor Stud Farm, 1950 (Frank Paulo in the middle) © Paulo's Circus Paulo's Riding Troupe at Moor Stud Farm, 1950 (Frank Paulo is astride the two horses) © Paulo's Circus A circus in Stanwell Moor? Now you know!! Memories of Mike Bovingdon, Christine Teale, Pat Laarman (via Mal Preece) and John Hutchings, and with thanks to Paulo's Circus for the brilliant pictures. https://cutt.ly/SeKba1Yo British Pathe news reel 'Circus in Training' (1957). Frank Paulo is the performer wearing green trousers on the trampoline, and possibly the clown on the wire at the end.

The Forum is where those interested in the history of the village can engage, whether to create a broader debate on any of the monthly blogs, suggest a future topic that would be of interest, or start up a discussion on anything relating to Stanwell Moor's past. This is a place where folks can share first-hand family stories about the village, or raise third-hand stories they've heard over the years, both are welcome! However, the goal should be to create a healthy debate or discussion while capturing as many facts to keep our history alive, so please feel free to be as nostalgic and go as far back (in time) as you like!! And if you have pictures of places that you can either identify or would like help to identify, please feel free to share...just remember this is a public website. To be clear, this is NOT the place to talk about current issues or concerns, and if you have specific issues that are affecting you right now, please contact either the SMRA, your local Councillor or County Councillor. At all times please stay respectful and courteous to your fellow Forum members, and if we see any topics that are straying off the path or abusive in any way, we will use the delete key as soon as possible!!