Much excitement on the allotment yesterday - picked the first of the Purple Sprouting Broccoli! Lots of little sprouts coming along too. The strange yellow one is a weird Romanesco hybrid but it tastes nice as do the leaves.

12.03.2025 16:38 — 👍 3    🔁 0    💬 1    📌 0

Nail-head. Twas ever thus with @coldwarsteve.bsky.social

13.02.2025 18:02 — 👍 2    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 0

Let me tell you that Southwark Archives has an impressive Astley’s circus collection. Due to their photo Conditions, I can’t share any of my research photos of the stuff that they hold for the public benefit.

13.02.2025 15:44 — 👍 6    🔁 1    💬 1    📌 0

A joyous return to the nest this morning!

Keep up to date with all the latest from Ania (GB5B) and Bartek (GB18) through our live camera! (link in bio) 🎥

08.02.2025 10:03 — 👍 54    🔁 13    💬 0    📌 1

Large framed poster leaning against a wall dwarfing an armchair. Poster c.1917 - Illustration of Hanvarr and Lee, the juggler and his comedy girl, after restoration. She stands in front of him in a checked skirt and jacket holding a big bag. Hanvarr, behind is wearing a pinstripe suit.

The Juggler and his Comedy Girl, Hanvarr & Lee are in the frame ready for installation at Lambeth Archives’ exhibition for circusconference.org, Ringside! Lambeth, Astley’s and the Birth of Circus. C.1917 poster printed by David Allen & Sons Ltd.

08.02.2025 15:11 — 👍 7    🔁 1    💬 1    📌 1

CLASSICAL AND ACADEMICK POSES, Followed by a diversity of Feats, wherein their prodigious Strength is only to be compared with the Dexterity, Ease, and Elegance, with which it is dis-played.-Two of their Exercises, however, require particular mention:—namely, their Or, Gymnical Combat between Hercules and Theseus! Wherein they will display innumerable Attitudes and Corporeal Esercises, such as the above Two Heroes of the Fabulous Ages may be imagined to have assuined, when they overcome in Wrestling, ANTEUs and CERCYON, the reported Inventors of these Exereises,— The admiration of this Scene can only be exceeded by the astounding effect and Wonderment of the Second, NRIAL As no description that could be attempted would convey an adequate idea of this Feat, or of the marvel which its exhibition occasions, none wiil be at-tempted; it must be seen to be conceived.-Suffice it to say, that at its conclusion, the Two Exhibitors sustain themselves in a Horizontal Position, the only fulcrum or point of rest for the feet of One of the Artists, being against the side of a Column erected on the Stage, while the other assumes his position in a right line, with no other support than what he derives by holding joined Hands with the former; thus setting at nought, the laws of Mechanics and Equilibrio; and in thier. nable pors this ond aru plet oure erelocity yes rotatory to thent gion to the th on ei to eh the ten appente fevery danger, the most timid Female may witness its performance with plensure, as the ease with which it is executed, is evinced by the smiles and composure of the Artists, who, from the habit of accomplishing feats of daring, now taunt at difficulties. —See the Wood Engraving on Large Bills.

Make haste to Astley’s 1816 spectacular, coming soon to Lambeth Archives.
Classical and Academick Poses, Gymnical Combat between Hercules and
Theseus, and The Aerial Turnstile!! Circusconference.org

06.02.2025 10:30 — 👍 8    🔁 2    💬 0    📌 1

Part of a plan showing Astley’s Amphitheatre towards the end of its days.

Part of an 1816 poster for the Royal Circus & Surrey Theatre featuring Mr Peters, the British Voltigeur & Flying Sorcerer.

Part of an engraved cigar case presented to the juggler Paul Cinquevalli’s.

The wicker weave of a Mongador troupe juggling club beneath the canvas cover.

Hints of the exhibition at Lambeth Archives that will accompany the 1st European Circus History Conference - it’s really not to be missed! circusconference.org

04.02.2025 19:05 — 👍 12    🔁 4    💬 2    📌 0