Book Reviews
To - Nigel Male and Steven B Richley,
Authors of Charlie Cairoli ( 39 Years Under The Tower).
Your wonderful book - I am so pleased to now own a copy of has achieved so much already,
On Fri 1st Nov and Sat 2nd Nov 2019 - In the ring of The Blackpool Tower Circus , Your well illustrated and informative book and its launch , Has, I am sure - Re - Created - Many fond memories for those reading it.
Memories - Valued and treasured by so many - Who ever attended a Charlie Cairoli and Company performance at The Blackpool Tower Circus.
Just watching old videos and recordings of Charlie's performances let's you see just how much Fun, Excitement, and laughter he gave and shared with his Audiences.
And he clearly enjoyed every minute of every performance.
By producing and launching this book with much passion and dedication All about - a much loved Blackpool performer -- and raising the wonderful sum of over £2000 at the Imperial Hotel - for Charlie's Chosen local Charity ( Brian House ).
Both Yourselves, and all those who genuinely supported the book launch and Auction - will have enabled Brian House - to translate that SUM into much needed support for those in their care.
And if the Sum raised brings an extra smile and a little fun to these children - And I'm sure this book will achieve this - I bet it will be bringing a smile to Charlie's face too right now - it's what he was passionate about - Dedicated to making people happy.
Well done - Both.
Blackpool can be truly proud of this book ( Charlie Cairoli - 39 Years Under The Tower ).
John Salton
A superb book well researched and written.
Some great pictures.
A book to be treasured.
Congratulations for producing the book.
Michael Harrington
Will become a much sought after and valued book - Every page - an Archive of Memories and Fun.
39 Years under the Tower Book Launch.
I had the pleasure this past weekend of attending the Book Launch event for “39 Years under the Tower” by Nigel Male and Steven B Richley. The book has been a dream of Nigel’s for 26 years now and with Steve’s help he has finally realised it. The event started on Friday the 1st of November with a book launch in the ring at Blackpool Tower Circus, where everyone who had pre ordered a book could collect their copy, listen to a great talk from Professor Vanessa Toulman on the history of Blackpool Tower Circus, A few words from Nigel himself, A speech by the deputy mayor and of course Charlie Cairoli Jnr talking about his dad. Charlie has been instrumental in helping Nigel providing access to never before seen photos and stories from his families archive, that our own Bobbo Roberts helped Nigel identify as he has an amazing eye for detail in circus photos being aboe to identify the year by the design of ring boxes used.
I had planned on attending as a representative of Clowns International to celebrate one the most famous clowns the UK ever had, however as I was travelling down with Bobbo he asked if I’d like to join him in slap and motley to welcome the audience in and help guide people to the trams for the dinner and auction. Nigel had booked a tram ride as part of the event taking us all along to the Imperial Hotel where we’d dine together and had the opportunity to bid on some exclusive items in the auction. It was good to catch up with our Vice president Chris Stone and of course Tweedy at the event, along with the great and good of circus.
The auction itself contained various items including a bust of Charlie, the original artworks that Curtis Tappenden had provided for the book launch poster and various items from Chris Stone’s collection he had donated. I bid as high as I could on Curtis’s art but someone wanted them more than me, I was successful in buying some postcards from Chris’ collection though. In all the auction raised over £2000 for the Brian’s House Children’s Hospice which Charlie supports.
I’d like to say a massive thank you to Nigel for all his hard work and determination to see this book published and cement these important stories in our history. People like Nigel and Steve with their passion for all things Charlie are preserving important heritage not just for Blackpool but for clowns in general and should be applauded for the efforts.
The book is a limited run but they do have some copies still.
Clowns International
Life seems to be on hold at the moment. Every minute my wife has she has the book in her hand. No being waited on hand and foot at the moment until the book is read. Lol
Well done Nigel and Steven for putting such an enthralling book together about a very interesting person.
Also really enjoyed the book launch at the Tower.
Thanks
My own mum was fond of saying, 'It's hard work for a animal trainer and the clowns to keep going back to the same venue time after time with something new for the public to enjoy' So just think how hard doing it for 39 years must have been. Not just coming up with 1 complete entree but a music gag and a full water or slosh gag too.
I am of course talking about Charlie Cairoli and my good friend Nigel has written a book on the man himself that has been his dream for 26 years. He is very passionate about Charlie, having spent a lot of time over the years running the Charlie Cairoli Appreciation society. We get a real glimpse in to this great clowns life, as Nigel was given access by the Cairoli family to never before photos and other items from tbe Cairoli family. I feel very lucky as people talk about legends like Charlie Cairoli, Norman Barrett, Mary Chipperfield, Jacko Fossett and even my own Dad Bobby Roberts, to me they were always around and it seemed normal, Nigel has put some of that normal in this book, Charlie's son said at tbe launch, but to me he was just my Dad and I can see why, it's only now I realise what huge stars they were, but they all had time to talk to this little sod. This book is special as it preserves the story of a very special man with a huge talent for the future.
It's nice to find a book where u can just dip in and out for a random slice of Charlie or read it cover to cover to get to know all his stories. Someone once called Charlie the clowns clown. I felt such a honour to be asked by Nigel to go down to Blackpool to be in the Tower venue and help him to to do mix and mingle with other folk who love the tradition of a time long gone as much as me and my good mate Ian Williams.
As we started to get made up it dawned on me we was getting our slap on in the very same dressing room as Charlie did for so many years. So I tried to stop my bottom lip trembling as we put on our faces. It's not been since 1990 that I last got to perform in the Blackpool Tower circus and I was very honoured to be asked to do so for the launch of the book about such a huge star as Charlie Cairoli. I urge all of you to buy, beg, steal a copy of this book it's a snapshot of the past. A perfect moment in time when one clown knew exactly what the public loved and he gave it to them solidly for 39 years. No wonder they loved him so much. If you haven't already got a copy then what are you waiting for?
Bobbo Roberts
Bobbo Roberts, Nigel Male and Ian Williams clowning around at the book launch.
A superb book well researched and written.Some great pictures.
A book to be treasured.
Congratulations for producing the book
Hi Nigel, your book is a brilliant collection of memories of Charlie, at the moment I've only scanned though the pages, and already I feel it's a great tribute to possibly the greatest clown ever.
Written with the help of pal Steven B Richley. and the with the co-operation of Charlie's family and volunteers at the Blackpool Heritage Project, the book was given a grand launch in the ring.
Among those attending were Charlie Cairoli Jr and other family members, circus clown Bobbo Roberts and relatives of some of the performers who shared a ring with legend Charlie.
The book is now on sale so that other fans can share Charlie's story.
Nigel said: "It was a fabulous evening and a dream come true for me.
"To have the launch in Blackpool Tower Circus ring was just what I wanted, especially with Charlie Jr and all the others being there.
"I would like to think Charlie would have been proud and I would also like to thank all those who made it possible."
At the start of the event there was a talk from Professor Vanessa Toulmin, research director of the National Fairground Archive (NFA) at the University of Sheffield, about the proud 125 year history of the Blackpool Tower Circus.
Italian-born circus legend Charlie made his name at The Tower, performing brilliant slapstick routines at the venue for almost 40 years until retirement in 1979 and helping to make it one of Britain’s top circus attractions.He died in 1980 aged 70, by which time he had gained legions of fans.
Following the launch, VIP guests travelled from the tower to the Imperial hotel where a gala dinner was served, and there was also a charity auction, and raffle, which raised £2,000 towards Brian House children's hospice, which Charlie Jr supports.
Prizes included special copies of the book and aptly enough, a fine bust of Charlie Cairoli himself.
Bobbo Roberts, Charlie Cairoli and Ian Williams
I've waited a lifetime for a book on Charlie Cairoli and here it is. Exceeding all my expectations! What a magnificent publication. I remember so well when Nigel and I met. We both had only one photo each of our childhood hero. Wouldn't have been so bad if they were two different ones! From that start Nigel said he wanted to research and publish a book. Nigel and Steve have done it! What a biography they have produced. Every page a treat. Who would have thought! Eh!
Co Founder of CCAS, Brian Nicholson, with his copy!
Looking forward to reading this amazing book. Happy childhood memories of watching the amazing Charlie Cairoli at the Blackpool Tower Circus.
Thank you so much Nige it arrived this morning and it is absolutely superb. I am thrilled. Thank you to yourself and Steve and everyone who worked on the book it is marvellous, I love it!
Received my book this week. A Christmas present for my Eldest Son who is 48! We saw Charlie Cairoli at the Tower Circus quite a few times and was fortunate enough to meet him. Such a lovely, Genuine Man. This book is amazing. I had to have a quick look before wrapping! I know my Son will be thrilled with it. For his fifth Birthday, we had been to Blackpool for our summer holiday, I sent Charlie a Birthday Card asking him if he would sign it and return for my Sons Birthday in September, which he so kindly did. This was the most treasured card my son got and still has it!! Sometimes it’s nice to give something with memories and this has it and more!! Well Done to all involved in producing it. I’ve posted a few photos to show how this Lovely man lives on!!! (I hope you don’t mind).
Thank You
Unfortunately I was unable to attend the book launch on 1st November 2019. On receiving my book through the post made the wait worthwhile. I am astounded at the quality of the publication which by far does justice to the time and effort put into this labour of love. I have been a lifelong fan of Charlie and have never found a book that paid enough of a tribute to the amazing entertainer chronicling his time at Blackpool's Tower Circus. This book does it in bucket fulls. Thank you from a very happy and grateful fan.
It cost me a lot in time and effort but finally got it!
Thank you Nigel Male for your dedication to this legacy of my great uncle and my family, thank you Christian Peña Marambio for your help to bring him to Guatemala I am very happy!!!
Latest book feed back - from Las Vegas..... “Hi Nigel just got the book and no bullshit it’s beautiful I didn’t expect so many photos it’s packed full
If you ever re print I can’t tell you how proud I would be to get that photo of me making the pies in the re print
Thank
You so much for caring enough to bring this book to life Charlie should have had a book like this decades ago .. I have no doubt many years From
Now you’ll meet the man in person up there !”
Very happy to have this excellent book in the International Clown Hall of Fame and Research Centers library. Charlie Cairoli is an Inductee in the ICHOF, and this detailed, thoroughly researched volume is a long overdue valentine to this remarkable clown!
Durrington CE VC Junior
Mr Nigel Male joined us this afternoon during Assembly. He was a pupil back in the 1970s, where he was inspired to write a project about a clown called Charlie Cairoli. Now, a few years later , he has published a book and given a copy to his old school!
Spent a wonderful hour at my old junior school yesterday, talking to the kids about Charlie Cairoli, and the book! Lots of great questions from the kids. Surreal being back there after I left 40 years ago!
In 1978/ 79 I was asked to decide upon a project to write about at junior school, by Miss Wilcox, my project was circus, inspired by Charlie Cairoli, (who
Was my child hood hero, from 1974) 41 years later this project, became reality, and with the help of Steve Richley we published Charlie Cairoli - 39 years under the tower, Charlie’s Biography, this Friday I will return to Durrington Junior School, to present a copy of the book and talk to the kids, in a Friday assembly!. A very proud moment! I hated school, but loved it! Can’t wait to return!
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