Andrew has long held the passion and led the campaign in bringing Philip Astley back into the public’s awareness, the ‘Original Ringmaster’ with red military uniform, ‘Father of Modern Circus’, setting horses and human performers in the 42 ft (13m) diameter circus ring, all still used today. This campaigning has resulted in local and international celebrations, the Philip Astley Visitor & Activity Centre is pivotal to this, helping Newcastle-under- Lyme to become a go to destination for the local community, national and even international visitors, thereby increasing footfall and pride of place.

Sharing his birthplace with Philip Astley, Andrew was born into a well-respected showbusiness family, learning his trade in theatre, fairground, circus, film and television studios, during these early years Andrew heard about Philip Astley from his father Fred who devised the original 1982 Astley celebration. Andrew performed his own shows from an early age, combining unicycling, juggling, escapology and plate spinning with magic and illusions, creating large scale shows, performing around the world, with some of the biggest names in theatre, on cruise ships, for royalty, in films and hundreds of television appearances, notably as the famous game show plate spinner, Andrew in all aspects of the entertainment industry is one of the most experienced performers around and wishes to boost the prosperity of Newcastle under Lyme for the benefit of the community.