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The Seaside Showmen

and their pitches.

There is a great deal of history regarding Punch & Judy on the street and beach. This is just a few of the performers and where they were seen. (Anymore information would be gratefully received). Sadly the number of seaside shows are in decline, simply because most performers rely on donations from the public and many people refuse to make a voluntary contribution.

Weymouth

The two main performers at Weymouth are Professor Guy Higgins, who presented the show since 1974. Before him was Frank Edmunds, who performed there from 1925 to 1967. I do possess photo copies of a booth seen on the beach before that but am unable to name the performer. I took over the running of the Weymouth show in 2005.
Click here for pictures of beach performers past and present.

Western-Super-Mare

The Staddon family were famous for presenting their show on the beach at Weston. Although, in 1963 Prof, Chad outbid the Staddons for the 3 year concession. Ruebun Staddon was the last regular performer, he died in 1978. After that, the pitch on the sands had a booth erected in during the summer months but no performances were given. That was until 1985, when Rod Burnett took on the pitch. I do have a cutting which features Pete Maggs which states he is bringing the show back to Weston, that was from 1987. I did the 1990 season, then the pitch went back to the Staddon family, before Prof Walton gave it a shot in about 1996-97? The town is currently without a Punch performer.

Click here for pictures of beach performers past and present.

Llandudno

The Codman family have performed the show on Llandudno seafront for well over 100 years. There is also a branch of the family who have performed in Liverpool for may years as well.
More information, a family tree, and pictures of this famous Punch and Judy family can be found if you Click here which will link you to PunchandJudy.com, the Punch enthusiasts' website.
Click here for pictures of beach performers past and present.

Broadstairs

Broadstairs in Kent, has, for small holiday resort ,had quite a number of Punch & Judy Profs operating the beach show. These include:
Smokey Townsend - 1955 to 1958

Peter Butchard - 1962 to 1978

Martin Bridle - 1979 to 1990

Mark Poulton - 1992 to 1993

John Alexander - 1994 to 2000