Here’s hoping you’re all suntanned and relaxed after the summer months!

With considerable awe, I explored the enormous complex which for the following week would be devoted to nothing but juggling. I found three large halls filled with jugglers, amongst whom there was usually at least one solid 7-ball or 5-club cascade and someone with two diabolos. My surprise must have been nothing compared with that of the inhabitants of Edinburgh when, on (a rather windy) Tuesday, there was a parade down Prince’s Street, just to make sure they all knew that thousands of wacky jugglers had invaded their city. This was followed by a show which had some really good acts (especially the Egyptian diabolist). Other shows included Jay Gilligan’s "Memersion" which started on Tuesday night, but had to be finished on Thursday night in a hall big enough to accommodate all those who wished to watch. There was some excellent juggling, punctuated with a couple of rather bizarre acts (e.g. the walking around with a book and a fork routine). The top of Calton Hill saw the somewhat chaotic fire show on Thursday night, and on Friday night there was the "public" show (with very few members of the public). This comprised some excellent acts and also an attempt to beat the record for the largest number of people juggling at one time. The previous record had been 864 people, and each of those who were there now hold 1/1505th of the new record. I left immediately after this, so I missed the naked unicycle racing (I don’t think this was on the official program! – Ed.) and the unicycle ceilidh. I did, however, have a great time at my first juggling convention, a wonderful opportunity to do nothing but juggle without the botheration of work or school, and also a rather humbling experience.

Charlie & Alex managed to catch a few circus-related shows in the week following the convention – our recommendations are as follows:

Peepolykus – "Horses for Courses" – Very, very funny comedy theatre – catch them at the Drama Centre this Autumn. Absolutely nothing to do with horses.

DeSoxy – "98.4% DNA" – A combination of stunning dance and acrobalance with spoken word and live cello, this is a show not to be missed. They aren’t coming to Cambridge as far as I know, but Charlie will get hold of details of where the show can be seen. Well worth it.

Circus of Horrors – Not sure about this one…very "Rocky Horror Show", with not a very high skill level (apart from some nice cloudswing). Probably only worth it if you haven’t seen a lot of live circus; and they lifted the bungee trapeze routine from Cirque de Soleil’s latest show which is a bit naughty. They tour almost constantly so keep your eyes open.

We return to the Drama Centre on the 6^th of September – and we’ll be there for more or less the whole period until July next year. As usual, beginners starts at 5 p.m. and the main session at 6 p.m. We’ll be running some specialist workshops (stilts, trapeze, odd juggling stuff) during the Autumn so remember to listen to the announcements! Please tell all your friends (you can get some CCC flyers from Charlie if you want to distribute them at school or work).

Please take a look at the library box (that’s the blue one) – there are some new videos (including the British Convention 1998), the latest "Catch" magazine and lots of other stuff. There is now a scheme whereby members can borrow library items for up to two weeks free of charge – please see the workshop leaders for details. The same applies to some of the workshop equipment between the weekly sessions. If you’d like to see a particular item added to the library please tell a committee member.

Our Annual General Meeting will probably take place in late September now; details will be sent to all members. This will be the chance for you to vote in a new Management Committee (which could include you!) and to see how we spent our budget last year, as well as raise any opinions or questions you have on how CCC is run. If you would like to find out more about joining the Committee please see Charlie or any other present committee member (Chloe, Simon, Eddie, Mark T., Lindsay, Jo, Dizzy, Helen, Claire, or Miles).

If anyone is interested in Unicycle Hockey, Stuart Swift (who we met on Parkers Piece on Sunday some weeks ago) is thinking of organising a team. Please contact Charlie if you’re interested and he’ll pass on details to Stuart.

Small, friendly, a whole week in a field with a bunch of jugglers – what more could you ask for? Details from Charlie.

Lots of workshops but no cabaret (there will be an open stage however) – but only £6 . Details from Carol on (01536) 204258 – Charlie has some flyers.

More on the Juggling Information Service website at www.juggling.org

Yes, the videos have FINALLY arrived – we now have master copies of the following ready for duplication:

Community Show 1997 It’s been so long since the show I can’t even remember it…!

3^rd Cambridge Juggling Convention Public Show Featuring Scarabeus, Stage Fright, CCC trapeze and more – up to the usual high standard.

Community Show 1998 Only one camera was used for this one, but it has turned out suprisingly well! Filmed at one of the later shows so it includes Simon Carter’s contact juggling and Richard Green.

CCC at Strawberry Fair 1998 Featuring Charlie & Mark T.’s solo routines, Paul W., Dizzy, Helen, Claire & Camilla in a group trapeze acs, Ian and Paul W. in the Doll & Box routine and cloudswing from The Legendary Lynn.

So we can work out roughly how many copies to have made, please could anyone who wants a video fill in the form below, tear it off and return to Charlie (at the address at the top of the newsletter or on a Sunday) by the 6^th of September. The videos should be ready towards the middle of September. We’re only charging £5 per copy to members which will cover the copying and administration costs – we’ll be asking for money once the videos are ready.

I would like to buy some CCC videos:

Community Show 1997

Name: Phone number:

Address (and postcode):