Harringay Arena and Stadium 1947

Comment by Justin Guest on January 7, 2015 at 14:36

Wow, that is something, thanks for this

Comment by Hugh on January 7, 2015 at 14:46

I had no idea of the scale of the Arena, till I found this photo (made from an old slide I bought).

Taken near Harringay Station, it shows how the Arena dwarfed all around it.

Comment by Hugh on January 7, 2015 at 14:49

PS: The buildings in front the Arena fronting Green Lanes housed the original Harringay Market as well as a stables for animals that performed at the circus and other events. I imagine it was also used for more general storage etc. Following it's demolition, a more ad hoc market sprung up on around the same spot.

Comment by Richard Woods on January 9, 2015 at 17:12

Oh happy days indeed; the arena featured in every season of our lives. 

Comment by StephenBln on January 9, 2015 at 17:37

BTW, this can't be 1947 - It must be pre-WW2 as there are no bomb sites on Warwick Gardens or Woodlands Park Road.

I can just about remember going to the circus in the Stadium in 58 or 59. I especiall remember the famous three clowns.

Comment by Richard Woods on January 9, 2015 at 20:50

Circuses used to be Bill Smarts as I recall. Terrific clowns; great animal acts (allowed then) and trapeze to die for (by!). In fact I seem to recall an accident there?

And dogs, and ice hockey, and stock cars, and ice rinks and horse shows and... oh, yes, well Billy Graham. sorry.

Comment by Hugh on January 9, 2015 at 21:22

Circuses were by Tom Arnold, Richard. (I ended up adding a small piece about him on Wikipedia back in 2008.)

Comment by John McMullan on January 9, 2015 at 21:39

You can see the pedestrian access under the railway which is now the GRA Community Garden.

Comment by Geraldine on January 10, 2015 at 9:20

Richard - it was Tom Arnold's Harringay Circus -- I see Hugh has already said that, sorry!  Interesting bit on Wiki, Hugh.  Things that don't occur to you when you're seven years old!

Comment by StephenBln on January 10, 2015 at 9:39

Here are the clowns: I was only about five when I saw them at the Arena.

@John, the side entrance from Stanhope Gardens was still in use in the 60s, but only for events at the Arena. I can't recall it being open for the twice weekly 'Dogs' or the 'Stock Car Racing' nights.

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