Pinder's Circus

The roots of Pinders circus go back to 1784 with the birth of Thomas Ord the son of the Reverend Selby Ord. Young Thomas ran away from home aged around 14 and joined the circus. 200 years ago by 1812 he had started his own circus he soon became a house hold name all over Scotland and the north of England. Ords equestrian arena became the most famous circus of the early part of the 19th century.

After Thomas Ord died in 1859 his daughter Selina Ord carried on with the circus, in 1861 Selina married Edwin Pinder whose uncles, George and William Pinder had founded Pinders circus in 1854. Edwin left his uncles and he and Selina continued with Ord Pinders circus in Scotland.

Edwins uncles went to Europe with Pinders circus and became Frances most famous circus where it remains to this day in name only as no members of the Pinder family are involved. Pinders circus in Scotland also became famous including 3 command performances for Queen Victoria at Balmoral castle in 1877-1892-and 1898.

In Dumfries today to visit uncle and aunt, and in the cemetery across the road was reminded of Pinders. Twice each year the fair would come to Dumfries - the Spring Fair and the Rood Fair. The stalls spread along the Whitesands - and almost always the river would flood over and wash them out. But still they came.

Pinder's Circus was an important attraction. And St Michael's Cemetery became an important burial place for generations of Pinders.