A TRAVELLING circus ring-mistress is bringing her show back to the Wiltshire village where she grew up.

Nell Gifford is director of the Giffords Circus, which arrived in Minety yesterday as part of a tour around the South West.

She currently lives in the circus wagons just outside Cheltenham, but grew up in the Wiltshire village.

Nell, 29, explained: "It is really wonderful to be back in Minety. The village has been really supportive, it feels like home."

As director, Nell is responsible for drawing up the plans for each show, sorting out auditions for new recruits, and helping to design the costumes for the performers.

The circus tour started at Andoversford near Cheltenham in May. Since then, it has travelled from the New Forest, to the depths of the Cotswolds, thrilling crowds with traditional 1930s mischief, glamour and fun.

Talking about her job, Nell said: "The best part about being director, is listening to the show from the outside, hearing everyone having a good time, and listening to their reactions. My favourite acts are the ones on horse-back, seeing how people react to seeing a ballerina stood on a horse."

The Giffords circus was first launched in an electrifying show at the Hay-on-Wye Festival in May 2000 and since then has gone from strength to strength. For this year's tour, the show has been given a coveted South West Arts grant, allowing the circus to return with new acts, and an impressive cast of artistes from all over the world.

Acts include the brilliant juggler brothers Biniyam and Mehari Tesfamariam from Ethiopia, Ralph and Celia who perform an acro-balance doubles routine called the Circle of Two, seven times national equestrian winner Rebecca Townsend who performs handstands on the back of a horse, and joining the Giffords on the tour, the Corb Lund Band, an all-original roots-country trio from Alberta, Canada.

Nell says: "The show is fun for all the family, there is something there for everyone. We have tried to make it traditional, yet as tongue-in-cheek and whimsical as we could."

She has worked in circuses for around ten years but first joined a circus as a horse rider when she was 18. She was in the United States, and fell in love with the life. She has since worked on six different acts.

Nell is also a writer. Her book, Josser, about life in the circus, was published to critical acclaim in 1999, and her children's biography of Philip Astley, the 18th century founder of the modern circus, will be released in May 2003.

The show at Summerhouse Farm in Minety runs until Monday. Two shows were due to take place tonight at 5pm and 7.30pm. Two will also take place tomorrow at 2.30pm and 7.30pm and there is one show on Sunday at 5.30pm and on Monday at 5pm.

The circus then moves to a venue on Fairford Road in Cirencester.

Entrance is £10 for adults, £6 for children. Call the box office on (01242) 572573.

www.giffordscircus.com