BLACKPOOL HERITAGE WEEKEND & BLUE PLAQUE PRESENTATION

Weekend Ticket Includes:

  • Entrance to the Tower Circus for the presentation of the Blue Plaque to the Cairoli family.
  • A glass of bubbles for the celebratory toast.
  • Photo opportunities with special guests.
  • Best seats to enjoy the 2025 Tower Circus production.

Saturday Evening at the Imperial Hotel:

  • Welcome drink on arrival.
  • 3-course gala dinner with wine.
  • Charity auction featuring exclusive items.
  • Live music, entertainment, and dancing until late.


Sunday Morning:

Visit to Showtown,


We are delighted to announce the addition of a very special event for the Charlie Cairoli plaque weekend, in Blackpool, in November.

To close the event, there will be a celebration of Charlie Cairoli's career, held at noon at Showtown on Sunday 2nd Nov.

We are inviting those who knew Charlie, both professionally and personally, to come along and share their memories of the much-loved clown, along with members of the public who held Charlie close to their heart. The memories will be supplemented with a slideshow of images, some never before seen in public, using images from Showtown's collection, as well as some private Cairoli family photos and images kindly allowed from Ringmaster -Norman Barrett, Circus performer and Escapologist - Karl Bartoni, Circusette - Yvonne Kean Fielding ... and more.      PLEASE NOTE THIS PART OF THE WEEKEND IS 80% SOLD


Don't miss this one-off chance to mingle with these legends as they recollect the life of our Charlie.


Bonus Highlights:

  • The famous Blackpool Illuminations will still be shining!
  • Discounted accommodation rates available for ticket holders.

Don’t miss this unforgettable weekend – book your tickets now!


BOOK YOUR TICKETS HERE


The Charlie Cairoli Appreciation Society is, and always has been, a non-profit organisation. Any donations received go directly towards keeping the website alive. Funds raised at the Garden Dinner, Charity Auction, and Raffle will be shared between the charity chosen by the Cairoli family and the British Heart Foundation, in memory of Steve Richley.

Inaugurated on 17th June 1994

This Society is dedicated to perpetuating the memory of our best-known and loved clown, Charlie Cairoli.

For 39 summer seasons, Charlie entertained and delighted audiences with his hilarious antics at the world-famous Blackpool Tower Circus. A celebrated and much-loved clown, his trademark bowler hat, red nose, and baggy trousers became synonymous with the Tower Circus. Sadly, he is no longer with us.

This site has been launched in his memory. Its purpose, like the Charlie Cairoli Appreciation Society, is to preserve the legacy of the king of slapstick and master of ad-lib.

Welcome to the new home of the Charlie Cairoli Appreciation Society (CCAS).


I have now begun re-publishing the original “Write Charlie’s” newsletters, which we released between 1994 and 2009. In addition, there will be other material that could not be included in Charlie’s official biography, which Steve Richley and I published in Ring of the World Famous Tower Circus on 1st November 2019. Much of this content has never been seen before.


There will also be a dedicated page for your memories – a place where you can share your own stories and help us keep Charlie’s memory alive.


The CCAS is a non-profit organisation, and any donations to help support the hosting of this site would be greatly appreciated.

The Write Charlie, was the quarterly news letter the CCAS produced between 1994 and 2009, Edited by Sandy Davison and Wilf Fitton.
This was the original committee of the CCAS

Honorary Member Prince Rainier of Monaco
Presidents Charlie Cairoli Jnr and Mr Norman Barrett
Vice President Laci Endrezs
Secretary Mr Ken Robinson    
Chairman Mr Brian Nicholson   
Treasurer Mr Nigel Male
Editor Mr Wilf Fitton
Founder Members Mr Brian Nicholson and Nigel Male

Charlie Who Was He ?

Charlie Cairoli starred at the Blackpool Tower Circus for thirty nine years !!, undoubtedly creating a world record for any artiste appearing at the same venue.

He replaced another famous clown there, Scotsman Doodles, whose appearances totalled thirty.  

Born in Milan, on February 15th 1910, on his fathers only visit to Italy, Charlie made his performing debut at the age of seven. Jean-Marie Cairoli and his son, then known as Carletto, joined Auguste Porto to star at the Cirque Medrano in Paris from 1929 to 1937, Charlie's brother Filip replaced Porto. After travelling Europe they went to Blackpool Tower in 1939 and were so 
successful that Charlie remained there the rest of his career. Filip returned to France when war broke out, and Jean Marie retired at the end of the 1947 season.

From 1948 to 1979 Charlie was partnered by four different white face clowns, Paul Freeman, Paul King, Paul Conner and Charlie Cairoli Jnr. For many years Jimmy Buchanan was an important member of his company which also played in theatres, cabaret, pantomimes, ice shows and on television. A master of many musical instruments, Charlie became one of the most celebrated and popular clowns in the history of the circus. Ill health forced his retirement in November 1979 and he died on February 17, 1980

Support Us.  Help me to keep this site alive, it costs £11.99 per month, any donations would be greatly appreciated.  This site is and has always been non profit making.   Thank you.


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