To mark Edna Wall’s one hundred and first birthday, staff at the borough care home where she lives decided to surprise her with a spectacular show.
Members of Gifford’s Circus entertained all the residents of Sonning Gardens Care Home, but for Edna it was a special trip down memory lane, cartwheeling her back to the days when she herself toured the UK performing acrobatic feats.
Many a child dreams of running away to join the circus.
Edna made that dream a reality.
Sarah Townsend, client liaison manager at Sonning Gardens, said: “Edna was part of a travelling acrobatic troupe right up to the start of World War Two.
“She was still able to cartwheel in her 80s, and twenty years later she’s walking around the home, joining in activities, and sharp as a tack.”
Aged 16, Edna toured with a group called the Kremlin Four, performing acrobatic feats as part of a variety show.
The act was still performing in Margate in August 1939, but was forced to close by the outbreak of war.
Sarah continued: “Edna has kept herself fit and healthy all her life and was still able to demonstrate cartwheels and handstands to her great nieces and nephews well into her 80s.
“We wanted to surprise her on her birthday with a visit from the circus.”
The show was well received by all the Sonning Gardens residents, including Edna.
“She thoroughly enjoyed it,” Sarah said, “But she was less keen about being the centre of attention, and kept saying, ‘I’m nothing special’ – we beg to disagree.”
Gifford’s Circus is currently touring Gloucestershire, Wiltshire, Oxfordshire, Berkshire and London.
For information, visit: www.averyhealthcare.co.uk and www.giffordscircus.com
