THE ROYAL BRITISH CIRCUS.

[grekko]

Has anyone any images of this theatre/variety hall:
THE ROYAL BRITISH CIRCUS ,Linacre Road.How long it was in existence I am not sure but, it appears to have changed from a primary horse event theatre to regular music hall during its period of active life.
Info gathered from Annals of the Liverpol Stage, R.J Broadbent.1908
THE ROYAL BRITISH CIRCUS.

This establishment, which was a commodious wooden
structure, was built and opened about 1898 by Mr. Edward
Paddock. It was located on the west side of Linacre Road,
Litherland, opposite to the Catherine Hotel. The entertainments
provided by Mr. Paddock consisted of equestrian performances
interspersed with variety turns. Mr. Paddock afterwards
let the building as a variety theatre to Mr. Fred Willmot.
After Mr. Willmot left, the late Matthew Montgomery ran
the house for a time as a music hall. Finally, the building
was put up for auction, and the materials sold.

[Mackenzie]

Possibly the site was the one which later became the Coliseum Cinema this opened in Feb 1921. Ronnie Cusworth all things Litherland might be able to assist. http://www.litherlandtown.co.uk/a_frameset.html

[lily8]

It is Listed in Gores 1900 address 35 Linacre Road.

http://www.old-liverpool.co.uk/TheatresGore1900.html

The residents of that address circa 1910
MACHELL, Thomas Graham Head Married M 63 1848 Steward Yorks
MACHELL, Christina Wife Married
41 years F 61 1850 Scotland
MACHELL, Elizabeth Daughter Single F 36 1875 Stewardess Scotland
88 MACHELL, Christina Daughter Single F 30 1881 School Teacher England
35 Linacre Road Litherland Lancashire County:
Lancashire

Hopefully Ronnie may have a pic good luck.

[42aitch]

1901 Census for 35 Linacre road

Joseph J Dearden, Mechanical Engineer - Yorks
Frances Dearden - Wife
Charle B Dearden - son
Mabel Dearden - Daughter.

I do not think the building would have been this one as in 1911 it is only a 5 room house. No 35 is also on the same side as the Catherine Hotel which in 1911 was No. 83.

I have put a link to this post on the Litherland site so hopefully Ronnie will see it, but there is nothing on his Digi site for this.

Eileen

[lily8]

Probably right Eileen, that is the address given in Gores, maybe someone with the street directories can find it listed???

[lily8]

In the 19th century newspaper library there are about 30 odd adverts placed in The Era (London paper) seeking acts etc, mainly high wire and bicyle acts. I think Mr Paddocks children were involved, as they are listed as professional bicyclists in the census.

[42aitch]

Matthew Montgomery a Theatrical Manager was living at 57 Belmont Drive, Fairfield with his family around 1910-12! and in 1901 was at 332 Netherfield Road.

[grekko]

Thanks everyone for your help, it's a real puzzler as to where this "theatre" could have been. I'm beginning to wonder whether it has been mislabelled 35, could it possibly be 135.....I know the Methodist Sunday School wasn't completed until 1904, so is it posssible that when Elizabeth Walker purchased the land on which Linacre Methodist Mission was built, she bought the old wooden structure, the Royal Circus and had it demolished?

[BOBHAMO]

1900
bobhamo

[BOBHAMO]

1894
bobhamo

[Litherland Digital]

Go to this link for info:

http://members.boardhost.com/litherland ... 44948.html

Cheers,
Ronnie.

[Mackenzie]

Go to this link for info:

http://members.boardhost.com/litherland ... 44948.html

Cheers,
Ronnie.

It appears the original description opposite the Catherine Hotel was the clue after all, the Circus preceded the railway so the land between Lily and Langton Rds was not divided as it is today. Well done Ronnie.

[Litherland Digital]

Thanks, Mackenzie.

The railway line pre-dates Paddock's Circus; The Lancashire & Yorkshire Railway - Fazakerley & North Mersey Branch.

Paddock's was located on the land shown on the map, butting up to the railway embankment and the old railway bridge, replaced with the present bridge in 1937.

Cheers,
Ronnie.

The first railway bridge on Linacre Road:
http://www.litherland-digital.co.uk/alb ... 6_tram.htm

[Margot]

Edward Paddock was my Great Grandfather and quite a character by all accounts. My grandmother Margaret Paddock and her sisters were part of a cycle act along with their brother Tommy who was very talented. Unfortunately he died in the Isle of Man whilst on tour.

[filsgreen]

Thanks for the information, Margot and welcome to the forum.

[BOBHAMO]

Hi Margot welcome an interesting family :lo
England and Wales Census, 1881
Name Edward Paddock
Event Type Census
Event Date 1881
Event Place Bootle Cum Linacre, Lancashire, England
Registration District West Derby
Residence Note Strand Rd
Gender Male
Age 31
Marital Status Married
Occupation Coach Builder Employing 7 Men & 7 Boys
Relationship to Head of Household Head
Birth Year (Estimated) 1850
Birthplace Bickton, Shropshire,


Birthplace
Edward Paddock Head M 31 Bickton, Shropshire, England
Mary J Paddock Wife F 29 Kendal, Westmorland, England
Margaret J Paddock Daughter F 6 Bootle, Lancashire, England
Thomas E Paddock Son M 3 Bootle, Lancashire, England
Sarah H Paddock Daughter F 1 Bootle, Lancashire, England
Charles S Edwards Boarder M 15 Forton, Shropshire, England
James Todd Boarder M 14 Lpool, Lancashire, England
Sarah Bellsborough Servant F 15 Lpool, Lancashire, Engl

margaret and thomas are down as pro bicycleists
there are some articles on Edward in the liverpool mercury
if you want i can post them
bobhamo

[Margot]

Edward Paddock and carriage works, Marsh Lane




Don't know if this worked

[Margot]

Would love to see articles from Liverpool Mercury about Edward Paddock. Are these concerning court case? Unfortunately after collapse of carriage works business and death of son, Tommy, he went downhill and ended in workhouse back in home county of Shropshire.

[BOBHAMO]

There are a few Margot
I have the factory on strand road at the back of the Derby arms pub
will have another look for the numbers marsh lane
Life can be cruel sad to hear he ended up in the workhouse
i will post all the info from the mercury



bobhamo