Giffords Circus Owner Dies

Circus News

Nell Gifford, Owner of Giffords Circus, Dies of Breast Cancer

Despite illness, co-founder appeared in shows over the summer before her death at 46

Nell Gifford, the owner and co-founder of the retro-chic Giffords Circus, has died of cancer, it has been announced.

She was diagnosed with breast cancer five years ago. After doctors told her earlier this year it had spread and she had a year to live, Gifford continued running between hospital and the circus ring, performing in this year’s summer show on a white horse, with a long blond wig hiding her cropped hair.

On Monday, it was announced that Gifford, 46, had died. She leaves twins, Cecil and Red, aged nine, who also often appeared under the Giffords big top.

A familiar figure striding around the circus’s headquarters on a farm in Stroud, Gloucestershire, most often in fluorescent orange builders’ trousers and a baggy sweatshirt, or sitting for makeup and hair extensions, Gifford was never one for self-pity.

“Cancer is boring,” she would tell visitors.

In the circus world, among staff and performers, she inspired loyalty and admiration.

The writer and journalist Lucy Cavendish described meeting Gifford 20 years ago, describing her as “majestic, beautiful, slightly terrifying, talented, inspirational”.

Link to Full Article at The Guardian. 

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