Blondin in Bruton 1892

Andrew Leach

School Archivist

1892 is a year that stands out in the history of King's School. It was the year that saw the foundation of the Old Brutonian Association, as well as the first issue of The Dolphin magazine. But there was another event that occurred in Bruton in 1892 that was remembered for many years by the people of the town and surrounding district.

On Thursday, October 13th 1892, the East Somerset Agricultural Society held their Annual Show. The Society had been formed from the amalgamation of three smaller societies, those of Bruton, Castle Cary and Wincanton, who took it in turn to host the Show, and in 1892 it was Bruton’s turn. The townspeople decorated their houses, fir trees were planted in the High Street, and great arches, floral displays and a large quantity of bunting erected. During the day, the weather remained fine, the Bath Railway Band played throughout, and the agricultural exhibits were of a very good standard. But the highlight for most of the visitors was provided by ‘The Wonder of the Age’, the remarkable Charles Blondin. The background story of that day was told in a letter written by a witness to the events, R.W. Gregory of Hexham in Northumberland, sent to the Western Gazette in 1949:

‘In order to attract more visitors than would come if the shows restricted their offerings to agricultural exhibits, special attractions were provided, often at great expense. Castle Cary was the first to offer one of the Spencers from the Crystal Palace who made a parachute jump from a balloon filled with the Cary Gas Company’s gas. The next year at Wincanton, a lady parachutist was billed to perform, but during the night before the show a gale sprang up and carried the partially inflated balloon, with a length of gas piping attached, well across England into the Eastern Counties. Balloon performances could be seen by a large public outside the showground, and consequently these were not too profitable to the Society so, in 1892, at the Bruton Show, the world famous Blondin was engaged, and on a beautiful summer day his thrilling tight rope walking exhibition was witnessed by a large crowd - most of whom had paid to see it! The following year at Cary, the Society engaged the famous boxing kangaroo from the Royal Aquarium in London, but after Blondin this was an anti-climax and in the annual shows following the super attractions were dropped from the programme.’

Details of Blondin’s performances were reported in the Bristol Mercury the following day, 14th October 1892:

‘Blondin’s world-wide reputation as a most intrepid performer on the tight rope, apart from his daring performance in walking the falls of Niagara, is wellknown. Yesterday, he performed on a wire erected with scrupulous care 60 feet from the ground and 200 feet in length. Having first walked the rope, he changed his robe and crossed blindfolded with a bag over his head, subsequently taking a cooking apparatus to the centre and cooking a meal. He then carried his son across on his back, and concluded by riding a bicycle over. The marvellous performance was very loudly cheered by the immense number of spectators, and in the evening he gave a performance which was rendered very effective by fireworks and illuminations.’

Thus, the enterprising spirit of the Bruton Show organisers was generously rewarded.

This photograph was taken at the East Somerset Agricultural Society Show held at Bruton on 13th October 1892. It shows Mr T.O. Bennett, who engineered the visit, linked “arm in crook” with Blondin. The picture also includes George Read (butcher), Josiah Jackson (of Durslade Farm), John Feltham (secretary of the East Somerset Agricultural Society), Cuthbert Lockyer (of Gant’s Mill), George English, and Christopher Moody (auctioneer).