Former trapeze artist at Circus Funtasia in Helston

Yvonne Stephens, a resident of Parc Vro Residential Home in Mawgan and former resident of Grade Ruan, once soared above the crowds in her early twenties at what was then known as the Paignton Zoological and Circus.

To mark her centenary this month, the staff at Parc Vro arranged a truly special outing for Yvonne: a visit to the currently touring Circus Funtasia in Helston.

Yvonne enters the big top (Image: Helston Packet / Kate Lockett)

Read Next: New chapter for site of former Helston care home as plans revealed

Joined by her family, friends, and care home staff, Yvonne was welcomed into the big top by Ringleader Tracy Jones and the circus’s lovable ‘geek,’ Emil Debosq.

Surrounded by the magic of the circus once more, she spent time looking at photographs of her performing days, including images of her on top of an elephant and in her role as a chimp handler.

She spent time looking at photographs of her performing days, including images of her on top of an elephant (Image: Family picture)

Read Next: Road closure in Helston prompts diversion of town bus route: Here’s where

In a heartwarming gesture, Emil invited Yvonne into the centre of the ring, allowing her to take in the entire circus from the performers’ perspective. As she took in the sights and sounds, her family and carers from Parc Vro shared in the emotional moment.

Her son, Luke, described the experience as “quite the thing” and said it was “great that her visit was able to take place.” His cousin, Phil, had even travelled from Ashburton in Devon to be there.

Yvonne’s other son, Richard, told the Packet: “I think it’s great. A fantastic thing for the home to do.”

Yvonne lives with dementia, and her daughter, Jean Trimble, hoped the visit would stir precious memories of her time in the circus.

Yvonne takes centre ring with her family and Emil and Tracy (Image: Helston Packet / Kate Lockett) For Tracy Jones, who joined the circus at the age of 15, the visit was a deeply moving experience. “The visit was amazing,” she said. “Circus is in your heart, I felt that when Yvonne came in.”

More pictures of Yvonne’s special visit to Circus Funtasia in Helston can be found at the top of this page. 

Circus Funtasia is in Helston until Sunday, August 10. From here, it will then travel to Bude between August 14 and 31. 

It will then come to Pool from September 11 to 29. 

More information can be found here: https://www.circusfuntasia.co.uk/venues

More pictures of Yvonne’s special visit to Circus Funtasia in Helston can be found at the top of this page.