The circus has been coming to Sussex for as long as we can remember. Skilled acrobats, daredevil lion tamers and spellbinding magicians have excited thousands – as well as infuriated many. BEN JAMES delves into The Argus archives for more.

EARLY-morning swimmers were taken by surprise in July 1989 as they went for their daily dip.

As they prepared to plunge into the waves at Lancing Beach they looked up to see what appeared to be a long grey pipe. When the pipe started to swirl around in the air they took a step back – and a good job too as seconds later a five-tonne elephant appeared from the surf. The 21-year-old Indian elephant caused quite a splash – literally – after taking a break from performing in Gerry Cottle’s Circus on Lancing Beach Green.

He splashed, snorted and hooted in the waves, clearly enjoying his dip in the sea. Not so long ago animals such as elephants were a common sight at circuses across the country.

For many it would be their only opportunity to see an exotic animal such as a tiger, lion or polar bear.

Argus veteran Adam Trimingham reported in July 1970 that when he went to see the circus in Hove Park he was picked up by their star attraction – a 45-year-old elephant called Mary.

He said: “I clung to her sinuous trunk while she gently lifted me up till we were face to face. The incident took place in front of a large crowd and, while I cannot pretend that I enjoyed being embraced by elephants, Mary was very gentle and the experience was unforgettable.”

In the 1940s and 1950s, members of the circus – both human and animal – would parade through town on their way to their pitch. Elephants, horses, camels and clowns would show the locals what they could expect if they came to the show.

While the animals brought joy to many, they also attracted protests – some of which turned violent.

In May 1987, our photographer was on hand to capture clashes between circus staff and protesters in Crawley.

One circus hand grabbed a protester’s camera, leading to a heated exchange in which the protester grabbed his opposite number by the lapels of his jacket. Pushing and shoving ensued before the two parties were separated.

It was a scene common across the county, particularly in the 1980s, as protesters tried to persuade councils to ban the arrival of animal circuses.

In 1987, Brighton’s council did just that when it turned down an application to bring an animal circus to town. A heated debate in the council chamber followed, in which then Conservative councillor Frank Masefield Baker argued that there was nothing cruel about it.

Councillor Frances Hix, then Liberal Democrat leader, responded: “I don’t think a former owner of Brighton abattoir is the best person to speak about cruelty to animals.”

In February 1957, Hove Council’s reason for banning the circus was somewhat different. We reported from a council meeting in which members said the circus would damage the turf in Hove Park and ruin the outfield ahead of the cricket season.

However, it is not only the animals that have wowed the masses at circuses across the years. One of the ever popular acts is the knife thrower and his daredevil assistant. In July 1989, we reported on Brighton cabaret star Karen Sharman who stood in as glamorous assistant at the Hungarian State Circus in Hove Park.

Speaking to our reporter afterwards she admitted she had kept her eyes closed throughout but said she would “do it again”. Circus promoter Nick Wilson said: “We had to advertise. The girl we had before is still in hospital.”