Talk by Richard Miller on a very unusual sporting event in Dundee. In the summer of 1879, a Circus came to Dundee and some of the leading cricketers in the district thought a match against the Circus's clown troupe would be good fun and an opportunity to raise funds for the Dundee Royal Infirmary. The crowds turned out, the clowns played amid much hilarity, but ...

Richard Miller's talk will explore not just the match itself but also place it into the context of the history of cricket in Dundee from the 1830s. For the best part of 60 years cricket was the town's main sport and Richard will look at where matches were held and the part that cricket played in the rise of football and rugby in Scotland and locally. We'll also hear more about Dundee's circus history and the tradition of clowns cricket in Britain.

Richard has been researching cricket history since he was a boy. He has contributed to a variety of books, magazines and periodicals and has produced over twenty publications covering cricket history in Tayside and the whole of Scotland. He is also the Treasurer of the Abertay Historical Society.

The talk will begin at 6.30pm with refreshments served from 6pm. As always, the talk is free for members and donations are requested from non-members.

PLEASE NOTE! In a change to our normal venue, for this talk we will be in the Matthew Building in Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art & Design, level 5, room 5018. The easiest way to find it is to enter via the back door of the building at the top of Hawkhill Place, from which the lecture theatre is just a few short steps to your left. From Perth Road, just head up the lane between the two Art College buildings and it’s on your left at the top, opposite Hawkhill House - see Hawkhill Pl - Google Maps

For those coming by public transport, there are bus stops just outside the Art College on Perth Road. Unfortunately parking on campus is not permitted without an existing permit. Parking spaces can be found on Perth Road or on some of the various lanes leading off it.

We should be back in our regular venue in the Dalhousie Building from October.