You can catch Tweedy on stage at The Everyman, walking around Stroud or down at Giffords Circus (Image: Zasha Whiteway-Wilkinson)Ĭlowns have a reputation of being larger than life and this one's is no different, but a quiet intelligence and impressive expertise shines in a humble but crystal clear way. Tweedy, who lives in Stroud because 'it's normal to be weird there', says that the nickname is one that 'just stuck' and as his clown character is 'not that different from himself' it makes sense to use. He said that he prefers to be referenced by his stage name rather than his Christian one, which we won't mention as 'only his mum and mother-in-law use it' and it 'makes him feel like he's in trouble'.

Nell ran away with a circus when she was 18, travelling to the US to work for Circus Flora and fell instantly in love with the art form - years later Tweedy joined her on-stage in Giffords Circus, something he called 'a perfect fit'. Want to be inspired? Our new Grace newsletter presents the news each week through a female lens and shares the most inspirational stories about women from across the UK.

He spoke softly of visiting her grave and going to see her later that day.Įven when talking about something clearly close to his heart, Tweedy still managed to recount a funny story of accidentally gate-crashing a funeral right next to Nell's grave thinking that they were all there to see her. December 8, was the second anniversary of the passing of Tweedy's close friend and fellow performer, Nell Gifford.

'She'd say 'you've had a Coke haven't you?'' he quipped. He joked that his wife would 'know if he'd had a coke' as he'd just 'lie there staring at the ceiling'. Wearing brightly coloured, patchwork trousers and a dark cap, as opposed to his trademark bowler hat and blue clown trousers, it was somehow exactly what you'd imagine his on-stage quirky personality to sport on their hard earned day off.Īlthough he ordered a hot chocolate, Tweedy said that he did not usually drink hot drinks and that he 'did not need caffeine'. READ MORE: Spooky Gloucester site hosts 'psychic supper' séance So when we headed to the Coffee Dispensary in Cheltenham town centre for a sit down and a chat, it wasn't clear exactly what to expect. Arranging to meet well known face about town, Tweedy the Clown, was a nerve-wracking experience.Īs a journalist you meet some really interesting people, but those with more talent than you have in your little finger can be a daunting assignment.

Clown toy i have lived a thousand years