Silvers Model Circus
Silvers Model Circus is a 1:24 scale animated model of a three-ring circus built by David Hardie and his family which measures 3m x 9.2m and depicts a travelling road show. The model depicts every aspect of circus life from the performers in the Big Top, to the living accommodation, menagerie and transport.
Creator - David Hardie[edit]
In 1931, aged 17, David made a miniature one-ring big top and a menagerie tent as samplers for his family’s canvas business in Sydney after completing his training to become a master tentmaker.
After the Second World War, David formed the travelling show, Silvers Circus with his brother, Les Hardie, and their partner Mervyn King.
For eight years, the show travelled extensively throughout Australia but in 1953 David became severely ill with meningitis and had to return to Sydney. Silvers Circus closed later that year.
To help his recovery, David’s wife, Diana, persuaded him to emigrate to England in 1954 with their son, David Jnr. They settled in Exeter.
Over the next twenty years, assisted by his wife, son and daughter, Diana, David extended the model to include a three-ring big top, menagerie, horse tent, kitchen tent, caravans and over 100 moving figures. David continued creating items to the circus until shortly before his death in 2002.
Building the Model[edit]
The human and animal figures are all carved by hand from balsa wood fixed to a wire skeleton with brass joints. Vehicles on the main parade include a land rover, unicyclist, stage coach and a landau carriage pulled by six white horses.
Much of the model has been built from recycled materials.
Exhibitions[edit]
Silvers Model Circus was first exhibited to the public during the summer of 1983 in The Spanish Barn at Torre Abbey in Torquay.
In 1984 the model was displayed in Cheltenham as part of the Christmas festivities and was officially opened by Earl Spencer, the father of Princess Diana, and his wife Raine.
Silvers Model Circus was invited by Clowns International to be the main display at the first International Clowns Convention in Bognor Regis in 1985.
From 1986 until 1992 the model was the central feature at the tourist attraction, Silverlands in Chudleigh. It then travelled around the country showing in many cities including, Sheffield, Exeter, Swindon, Slough, Manchester, Southampton, Weymouth, Newbury, Andover and Ballymena.
In 2008 Silvers Model Circus moved to The Model Village, Babbacombe, Torquay where it stayed until 2012.
References[edit]
[1]Spear, Diana and George. [Circus Down Under], Hammond,Hammond & Company, 1960
,[2]Hardie, Di [Silvers Model Circus], My Weekly, D.C. Thomson & Co., Ltd, London, 17 January 1987
Silvers Model Circus[edit]
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- ↑ Spear, George and Diana (1960). Circus Down Under. London: Hammond, Hammond & Company. Search this book on
- ↑ Hardie, Di. Silvers Model Circus, My Weekly, D.C. Thomson & Co., Ltd, London, 17 January 1987
