Administrative/biographical history

The Friends of Arnold Circus was formed in 2004 through local voluntary action. The immediate aim of the organisation was to rescue the historic bandstand at the heart of Arnold Circus which had fallen into disrepair. By the beginning of 2006 the group has 450 members and events such as brass band concerts and Carrom championships were attracting over 300 visitors. In 2011 the Friends took over management of part of the site from Tower Hamlets Borough Council. The Friends now aim to create a public shared space within the gardens. The organisation also works with school children and volunteers as well as running public events. The Friends of Arnold Circus is run by a board of Trustees who are elected once a year at the Annual General Meeting. Membership of the Friends is free to anyone who shares the aims of the organisation.

Scope and content

Papers of the Friends of Arnold Circus, (2005-2011). Including the following: Minutes and administrative papers, (2006-2010); Receipts and budgets, (2007-2010); Maps, Constitution and AGMs, (2006-2008); Original constitution, (2006-2008); Papers regarding budgets and banking, (2006-2009); Papers regarding courses, policies and governance, (2007-2009); Proposals for bench radio, (2006-2008); Papers regarding fundraising and gardening, (2006-2008); Papers regarding events, (2007-2009); Papers regarding the Outreach Group, Bazaar, Song for a Circus, (2007-2009); Pending and miscellaneous papers, (2008-2012); Accounts and invoices, (2007); Photos from a visit by Columbia Market Nursery School to plant some bulbs, (n.d.); Papers regarding feasibility and conservation strategy, (2007-2009); Papers regarding annual bus review, (2007-2008); Papers regarding funding, (2007-2010); Papers regarding funding, (2010); Papers regarding accounts, AGM and reports, (2005-2011); Survey results, (2007-2008); ‘Which way for the bench?’, (n.d.); Papers regarding community action plan and funding, (2008); Papers regarding radio bench, (2008); Papers regarding Green Circus project, (2006); Papers regarding ‘Turn over the page’, (2008); Press cuttings regarding Arnold Circus, (2005-2008); Press cuttings, correspondence and papers, (2007-2010); Papers, promotional material and correspondence, (2005-2006); Papers regarding Bagaan ‘The Garden’, (2008); Posters, (n.d.); Promotional and events material, (2007-2010); Children’s artwork, promotional materials and press cuttings, (2010-2011); CDs, membership cards and postcards, (n.d.); Poster, ‘Circus on the Circus’, (2007); Tablecloths stencilled for Arnold Circus Sharing Picnic with pupils of Virginia Primary School, led by artist Mary Spyron, funded by the Ironmongers Company, (2008).