Harringay Arena and Stadium 1947

Comment by Richard Woods on January 10, 2015 at 10:41

Tom Arnold I think followed Billy Smart (late 40s?)  and was still there in the 50s for sure. I remember white painted elephants but think they were Billy's - horror now but fun then. Love the card - the white-faced clown was a bit of a speciality I recall.

Comment by Hugh on January 10, 2015 at 11:00

I don't think Billy Smart ever ran a circus at Harringay, Richard. Tom Arnold's circuses ran at Christmas time for eleven seasons from 1947 to 1957. 

I've added more about clowns at the Harringay circuses here.

Comment by Richard Woods on January 10, 2015 at 18:05

Agreed re Tom Arnold but I am still digging re Smart cos I am sure I went there as a very young child and it was Billy's (mind you ruddy long time ago!). I think the Moscow State visited more than once - do you know?

Comment by Hugh on January 10, 2015 at 18:53

I know of one visit by the Moscow State - the first time a Russian State Circus had visited Western Europe - May 21st to June 9th, 1956.  There may have been other visits but I'm not aware of them. Take a look a  what I've written on Wikipedia. This may be what you're thinking of:

Billy Smart occasionally appeared in these [Tim Arnold's] shows. At one of the Mammoth Christmas Circuses, he spray-painted five of his elephants white, yellow, blue, cream and pink.

(Originally from Billy Smart's obituary in The Independent)

Comment by Ed Butler on January 22, 2015 at 14:21

Is that the corner of Finsbury Park at the bottom left?

Comment by Hugh on January 22, 2015 at 14:33

Yes, that's the cricket pitch, as was, today's baseball ground. 

Comment by Hugh on January 22, 2015 at 14:49

So, it's roughly this you're looking at:

Comment by Ed Butler on January 22, 2015 at 16:48

Thanks Hugh - there's some great footage of the greyhound stadium in the 1963 film "A Place To Go"

Comment by Hugh on January 22, 2015 at 17:03

Cheers - will keep an eye out.

Comment by John D on January 22, 2015 at 17:09

What a waste ! That could make a great car park

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