Why were there elephants in Chippenham's river?

If you've seen the recent album I posted showing elephants in Chippenham's river Avon and are wondering what the story is, then read on.

Paul Connell, our local history expert from Chippenham museum has kindly outlined the history to shed some light on these images.

Apparently they're part of a travelling circus, which was hugely popular in the 1800 and early 1900's.

The history of the travelling circus goes back to ancient Rome and then in medieval Europe with bands of gypsies who would tour the country with tame (and not so tame) animals. They were very big business in the Victorian period with quite a lot of competing shows travelling the country.

These particular elephants in Chippenham are from Bostock and Wombwell's World Renowned Menagerie, when it visited the town in 1906.

The animals took the opportunity to cool down and have a wash and a drink in the river. Bostocks' was a very well known company at the time but they weren't the only circus to visit Chippenham.

The image of the two wagons passing under the arches are 'Lord' George Sangers Circus coming to perform here in 1902.

His first "troupe" consisted of canaries, redpoles, white mice and later, hares. He taught them to fire miniature cannons and walk tightropes.

On the same theme was Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show, which visited England 3 times playing to crowds of thousands. On their third visit in 1903-4 they toured the country playing over 300 dates including Chippenham.

So now you know!