Circus, circa mid-1960s
After an octagonal quiz, I thought it would be refreshing to have something round instead. The word "circus" usually means "a travelling company of entertainers; including trained animals". However in Singapore's context, the word is also synonymous with "rotary" which means "traffic circle - a road junction at which traffic streams circularly around a central island".
And as if that is not enough, taking us around in circles several times is Chun See. You see, he has a series of quizes called "Roundabout Quiz", the first of which is here. You may have noticed that Chun See had used yet another synonym for "circus" i.e. "roundabout". Well, I hope that you are not giddy from all that turning by now, kekeke. Also, I think it is not too late for me to jump on the
So here are my questions for the above "circus, circa mid-1960s" photo:
1. What is the name of this circus?
2. What is the name of a landmark which you could identify from the photo? Beside and besides the circus, that is.
As usual, I will reveal the correct answers in a week's time.
Posts
10 comments:
1. Delta Circus
2. Singapore Steam Laundry (one with chimney-like) at top left corner of photo - now Delta House. Behind the company was another laundry Seiclene Laundry which saw many labour strikes in the early 1960s against British management
3. Road to the right of Singapore Steam Laundry = River Valley Road. In the background is a gas station (still around today) and a block of flats (still around) facing F&N factory.
4. Top right corner of photo = Delta Estate
Agree with Peter that its Delta Circus. But the road to the right of Spore Steam Laundry is not River Valley Rd but Delta Road. River Valley Rd starts further up near the petrol station opp F&N and Jervois Rd.
the first name that came to mind was delta circus but when i looked at it again, i had my doubts because i do not remember the circus being so big. i had a schoolmate who lived in one of the blocks of flats at ganges avenue. i also recall the name of a nearby road...brahmaputra road.
I have a question. What's that rod in the middle? Lightning conductor?!
Hi Victor,
Your image reminds me of a song by Perry Como. It called:
Round And Round
Find a wheel as it goes round, round, round/As it skims along with a happy sound/As it goes along the ground, ground, ground/And it leads you to the one you love.../In the night, you'll find the oval moon/Going round and round in tune/And the ball of sun in the day/Makes a girl and boy wanna say/Find a ring...
(About 7 verses. Check it out)
Thank you for all your answers.
Icemoon, maybe the stick in the centre was to help the workers draw the circle during construction but they forgot to take it out after that? However, I have my doubts, i.e. I am not sure.
Andy, thanks for the tip. You can view a medley of 3 Perry Como hit songs from the man himself here - "Round and Round" from 1957, "Hot Diggity (Dog Ziggity Boom)" from 1956 and "Don't Let the Stars Get in Your Eyes" from 1952.
The last song had the back-up singers going "Pa-pa-pa-ya, pa-pa-pa-ya" in the beginning. Quite funny.
Last time I took a walk down memory lane further up River Valley Road to see how much the place has changed since my short school days at Kay Poh Road. My o my. Now got so many pubs and Hooters. Can imagine if the school was still in Kay Poh Road and not at Bishan, what will school boys do after school hours?
Peter, F&N was near to where you walked, right?
Anyone can recall Orchard Circus? I have totally forgotten about it until I heard someone mentioned it on the net. I could then remember I did passed through it when I was very young. Check this out: http://pictures.nl.sg/71f90178-aae2-4827-9961-49942d715d40.aspx
By the way, that rod in the middle of the circus must be a lightning rod. In most other places they are built as part of the decorations so they don't look so out of place. Look at this which also has one: http://strelitzia50.blogspot.sg/2011/02/weddings-roundabouts-and-garden-city.html
Post a Comment