“The Fossett family is one of the oldest circus families still in existence and one of the most prolific ones with branches of the family in England, Ireland and America. The first itinerant performer of the family was the first Robert Fossett, who started making a living as a child selling almond rock in the streets of London in the early 1900s. He first became a showman performing with trained birds and ponies until he was able to run his own small family circus.” You can read more about them here:
https://archives.shef.ac.uk/agents/corporate_entities/32…
Also here: https://www.sandowsafe.co.uk/…/history-of-the-sir…/
One of the descendants was Tommy Fossett who with his wife, Vera, performed a double act called, Tommy de-Vel & Vera, presenting unicycling, club passing, fire juggling and other skills.
Vera was also an actress and appeared in the 1983, James Bond movie, Octopussy.
This Pathe film from 1969 called, Commercial Circus, Professor Grimble (a clown played by Tommy) as well as juggling and unicycling by Tommy and Vera:
https://youtu.be/1_Eav8X2ZXM?si=_-718y1zkDt7e2sz
Here's footage of Professor Grimble (Tommy) performing at Great Yarmouth Hippodrome in 1972. Vera is the female announcer and they also performed their juggling and unicycle act at this show.
https://youtu.be/h8C7Vnd0Kgc?si=YYEe6PyrVnScCLaC
Here's Tommy Fossett and Vera Jones playing a juggling duo, Charlie and Diane, in the 1985 TV movie, On Your Way Riley.
https://youtu.be/yUzqa-ZEnPg?si=OT8FAa0qhfc7iiw2&t=1735
What a lovely post about my parents (Tommy and Vera). I am looking for material to build a tribute website to my father who died from cancer in 1996 and I was pleased to see the video of Grimble at Yarmouth in 1972 which I hadn't seen before, so thanks very much for this post. Would it be OK to share this post on my timeline and use the material for the website? Also, if anyone has any more material (photos, videos, stories, whatever I would be very grateful to receive them. Please feel free to DM me anytime. Many thanks again. Tom Fossett.
