Stop 8
Jubilee Fountain
The day the elephants came to town
One bright day, some time in 1930, a soft ‘thump thump thump’ was heard coming down the high street of Bovey Tracey. “Roll up, roll up” came the cries of the ringmaster! For today, the elephants are visiting!
It was common, in the olden days, when the circus visited, that to drum up business they would parade a few animals to entice and enchant the crowds. People from all around Bovey came to see these magnificent creatures. They were even treated to the sight of the elephants, stopping for a drink at one of the main landmarks in town, the Jubilee Fountain!
We know now that keeping wild animals in a travelling circus is wrong, which is why this is included in the darker side of Bovey. But seeing these mighty animals drinking from the fountain in the middle of town must have been quite a sight! One that lives on to this day.
Source:
Word of mouth