Hungerford Virtual Museum

Website produced and maintained for the Hungerford Historical Association
by Hugh Pihlens

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Tommy Allen and his family settled in Hungerford during the 1940s and 1950s – first at The Breach (Fairview Road) and later at the Thatched Cottage, Bath Road.


Tom could train almost all kinds of animals from dogs and monkeys to horses and lions, which his wife presented in their show, which is pictured (in the picture below) at St Giles' Fair, Oxford c1945. John Newton remembers seeing the show at Pewsey carnival. Jack Williams remembers that The Lady of Lions (with live lions) was at the Cricket Club Ball in the Corn Exchange c1949-50. How special is that?!



Tommy Allen's Show "Lady of Lions" at St Giles' Fair, Oxford, c1945. Sonya Allen used to swing out over the crowd on the trapeze.



Betty Allen (Tommy and Sonya's daughter) with the Chimpanzees. Betty also worked with large snakes!




		Sonya Allen "The Lady of Lions"



		Sonya Allen "The Lady of Lions"

				With special thanks to John, Brenda and Barnaby Newton.