SAD NEWS FROM BILLERICAY WITH THE PASSING OF OUR CIRCUS QUEEN JOAN ROSAIRE

Today is a very sad day when learning of the death of our lovely friend, Joan Rosaire who had lived in this town for more than seventy years.  Although, I initially met her more than twenty years ago when she agreed to be interviewed for one of my local history books, we remained friends since that time.  Some while back, she asked me to write her memoir of her life devoted to her famous career in the Rosaire Circus, particularly her professional days in Paris. 

The author Ken Porter took on the task of research, writing and publishing her book entitled 

Not only do we learn of the early background of the Circus Rosaire and its travels around the UK before World War ll, but also Joan's personal fascinating life story, set in Billericay and London's famous theatres where she and her famous horse Goldy performed before Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth and the royal family.  We also learn of the origins of the British circus, the famous celebrities Joan met during her exciting world of work and are treated to images of Joan's family and their link to the then King Peter of Yugoslavia and the many famous people she performed alongside.

Ken Porter also collected numerous photographs to illustrate Joan's biography and both were kind enough to appear on several of our radio programmes, particularly Michelle Ward's Book Club on Phoenix 98FM. Joan will be sorely missed by all her friends, but particularly from the circus world in which she played such an important part.