Channel 4 Extreme Cake Makers Astley Cake
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Channel 4 Extreme Cake Makers Astley Cake

Popular Channel 4 program ‘Extreme Cake Makers’ today broadcast the making and unveiling of the Extreme Philip Astley Cake. The cake was commissioned by Philip Astley Project Director and performer Andrew Van Buren as the perfect celebration cake. The cake marks the 250th anniversary of the First Showman and his creation of the modern circus…

Philip Astley Celebrations Circus Party Event
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Philip Astley Celebrations Circus Party Event

As a big thank you to many of the people who have helped to make the Philip Astley Project possible and so successful, and to celebrate the launch of the Philip Astley Resource Pack, Staffordshire University held a Philip Astley celebration circus themed party, hosted by Andrew Van Buren, with acts including jugglers, a plate spinner, LED…

Philip Astley Project Wins Tourism Award
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Philip Astley Project Wins Tourism Award

The Philip Astley Project Wins Tourism Award. The Philip Astley Project has just won the Enjoy Staffordshire Tourism Award for Best Newcomer. The inscribed lead crystal cut glass award was collected by Philip Astley Project working committee members Trudi Barnard and Delyth Copp at the Enjoy Staffordshire Tourism Awards Ceremony on behalf of the Philip Astley…

AstleyFest 2018
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AstleyFest 2018

On 4th August 2018 Newcastle-under-Lyme saw the first ever AstleyFest – a new festival celebrating the father of the modern circus in Newcastle-Under-Lyme. The festival started with a bang at 11:30am in Newcastle town centre where people proudly paraded their Astley themed flags, which had been made by community groups, schools and organisations getting together and…

Circus themed Easter activities held at Brampton Museum
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Circus themed Easter activities held at Brampton Museum

A selection of circus themed Easter activities are being held at Brampton Museum to continue the ongoing celebration of circus pioneer- Philip Astley, from Newcastle-under-Lyme. Children and families are invited to make their own circus themed posters to be exhibited in the Hall Gallery, advertising Astley’s circus. An Astley exhibition is being unveiled on May 5th, displayed until July 15th at…

Andrew Van Buren represents The Philip Astley project in Monte Carlo
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Andrew Van Buren represents The Philip Astley project in Monte Carlo

Andrew Van Buren has recently represented The Philip Astley Project in Monte Carlo at the Festival International du Cirque de Monte-Carlo. The international illusionist & showman was invited to be involved in the unveiling of the permanent Monte Carlo tribute to Philip Astley- born in Newcastle-under-Lyme. The tribute to Philip Astley was unveiled by HSH…

Newcastle-under-Lyme named one of six Cities of Circus for 2018
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Newcastle-under-Lyme named one of six Cities of Circus for 2018

Newcastle-under-Lyme will be a hub for circus celebrations in 2018 after being named as one of the six Cities of Circus by Circus250. The Philip Astley Project and The New Vic Theatre will lead events throughout the year designed to champion the legacy of local hero Philip Astley ‘the father of modern circus’, celebrate the…

Carol Gandey on “The Business of Circus”
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Carol Gandey on “The Business of Circus”

50 members of the Newcastle-under-Lyme Rotary Club enjoyed the Carol Gandey on “The Business of Circus” evening hosted by Andrew Van Buren and featuring anecdotes from Carol Gandey’s extensive experience of managing both Gandey’s Circus and Circus Starr, a touring circus offering free tickets to disadvantaged, disabled or vulnerable children. Following a meal at Newcastle-under-Lyme Golf Club, Rotarians learnt about…

Circus Symposium – Philip Astley and the Legacy of Modern Circus
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Circus Symposium – Philip Astley and the Legacy of Modern Circus

The Philip Astley Project and the Van Buren Organisation collaborated with partners at Manchester Metropolitan University and the Federal University of Bahia (UFBA) on a symposium to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the founding of Modern Circus by Philip Astley. The Circus Symposium took place in September 2017 at Manchester Metropolitan University’s Crewe campus. The…

Newcastle honouring Father of Modern Circus
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Newcastle honouring Father of Modern Circus

Newcastle honouring Father of Modern Circus Philip Astley. Philip Astley was born in Newcastle-under-Lyme in 1742, and started by performing equestrian shows. He then realised it was best performed in a circular ring of a 42ft diameter and by combining other performers into the shows. The statue was unveiled inside Newcastle-under-Lyme College’s (NULC) Performing Arts…