Circus Joseph Ashton
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Ashton's Circus is the longest surviving circus in Australia, pre-dating most others in the English-speaking world. The circus was founded in Launceston, Tasmania, in February 1851 by James Henry Ashton, a man schooled in the tradition of English circus and 19th century hard times.
When founder James Henry Ashton died in 1889, his son Fred, then aged 22, inherited the circus. The circus continued to be handed down throughout the family and today it is run by the 6th generation of Ashton's, Michelle and Joseph and their sons Jordan and Merick.
Circus Joseph Ashton travels mainly in South Australia and Western Australia.
