DANCING Cecil, the high-stepping clown, and the rest of the cast of the intriguingly titled Merry Mary Travelling Performers still drift into the thoughts of Christopher Daniels as he mulls over the happy times of his St Helens boyhood.
And Chris, now living in Greenacres, Southern Australia, would now love to know more about those street entertainers of the late 1940s and early 50s who visited the town annually.
He moved down under with his parents in 1952 when he was 12 years old, but recently returned for a visit to his old hometown and decided to drop me a line, explaining that he gets the Star sent to him from time to time and particularly enjoys reading about the old-time characters who regularly grace this page.
"I grew up around Gladstone Street and still remember spending all my pocket money at Bonney's sweet shop with my pals from school", says Chris.
"I was wondering if anyone can help me with a recollection which unfortunately is a little hazy, due to the passing of time. Once a year, a horse and carriage would come down our way and the surrounding side-streets.
"It was similar to a rag-and-bone man's carriage, but it was black, and had on it, in white lettering, 'The Merry Mary Travelling Performers'. Out of this would emerge a number of street performers, doing acts and tricks in front of groups of delighted kids, including me".
One of the entertainment group had amazing skill, juggling with any sort of articles presented to him. "We kids would gather all manner of weird and wonderful things from our houses for him to perform with".
Then there was the clown who worked alongside a small terrier -- the dog jumping up and down on its back legs as Cecil danced. Says Chris: "He was apparently a former music hall performer of some standing. I don't know why he had gone from this to being a street entertainer but he was brilliant to watch and had us all laughing".
At the end of their show, the cast would go round, collecting pennies from the audience.
"They'd then move on to the next street and very often we would follow them around", says our reader from Oz who remembers his father telling him that the troupe had apparently hailed from Cumbria.
He signs off: "I have asked my younger relatives to search for details on the internet, but they have found nothing as yet. I'm sure Star readers who grew up in Gladstone Street area at that time will remember those entertainers and I would love to read other people's recollections and hopefully discover more about that rather motley bunch".
WELL, let's hope so. If anyone can add to this fascinating subject, then Chris and I would be much obliged. Just drop me a line at the Star.
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