News, Activities and Stories from the Philip Astley Project have received not only local but also national and international coverage in all forms of media from the UK to Japan, Monaco to Australia, Canada to Brazil and more.

Here you can find some of the key news items and moments from the history of the project.

If you’d like to cover one of our events, or conduct an interview with Showman, Performer and Philip Astley Expert – Andrew Van Buren, then do get in touch.

For background on the Philip Astley Project, Download our Press Pack

Astley Town Film

Premier the amazing Astley Town film celebrates Staffordshire town Newcastle-under-Lyme, birthplace of Philip Astley who was the Original Ringmaster, Military Hero and creator of modern circus.

To watch the Astley Town film click Here.

A Philip Astley Projects CIC Film. Featuring: Andrew Van Buren, Allyson Ford Van Buren, Dominic Biddle, Gordon Brayford, Lucy Enskat, Kate Evans, Sascha Gosling, Matt Pang, Jessica Pidsley.

Created by Rotten Park Road Films.

Project Managed by Appetite and Van Buren Entertainment Organisation

For more information about:

Philip Astley and the Philip Astley Project: www.philipastley.org.uk 

Appetite: www.appetite.org.uk

Andrew Van Buren & Allyson: www.vanburen.org.uk

Rotten Park Road Films: www.rottenparkroad.com

Circus skills, juggler, clowns, plate spinner, magician, illusionist, unicyclist, hula hoop, street art, graffiti, theatre, heritage and culture.

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Astley Town Film

Premier the amazing Astley Town film celebrates Staffordshire town Newcastle-under-Lyme, birthplace of Philip Astley who was the Original Ringmaster, Military Hero and creator of modern circus. To watch the Astley Town film click Here. A Philip Astley Projects CIC Film. Featuring: Andrew ...

AstleyFest2021

AstleyFest2021 Live FREE Entertainment on Saturday 7 August 2021 in Newcastle-under-Lyme Town Centre. Roll up for a day of live entertainment in the town centre between 11.00 am and 15.00 pm. With Astounding Acrobatics, Mystical Magic, Dynamic Dance, Pondering Poetry, Competitions, and ...

AstleyFest2021

AstleyFest2021 Live & Online FREE Entertainment on Saturday 7 August 2021 in Newcastle-under-Lyme Town Centre. With the uncertainty of this year the Philip Astley Project team decided to move the event from Lyme Valley Park into the town centre and also ...

Save the Date for AstleyFest 2021

Save the date for AstleyFest 2021 which will be happening on Saturday 7 August 2021 in Newcastle-under-Lyme Town Centre and online. With the uncertainty of this year the Philip Astley Project team decided to move the event from Lyme Valley Park ...

Philip Astley Poetry Competition

As a lead up to this years AstleyFest 2021 Live and online event we are launching the Philip Astley Children's Poetry Competition. The Children’s Poetry Competition is for ages 7 – 11 who are invited to write a poem about Newcastle-under-Lyme ...

Freedom of Borough for our Jim Worgan.

Massive Congratulations to one of our Philip Astley Project team and all round great guy Mr Jim Worgan on being awarded the honour of Freedom of Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough as a recognition to his work as a local community stalwart. Jim worked ...

Award Winning Animated Film

Celebrations as our award winning Philip Astley Project animated film wins Staffordshire Day Film Festival 2021 Animation Category. The popular animated film 'Philip Astley Father of Modern Circus' created by Stoke on Trent based Inspired Film and Video company for the ...

AstleyFest Virtual Entertainment for 2020

AstleyFest 2020 Virtual Entertainment Online. This year’s AstleyFest 2020 is taking place as virtual entertainment on Saturday 1st August 3030 as AstleysAtHome. With an exciting line-up of online virtual entertainment, workshops and inspiring performances for families to get stuck into. Thanks ...

6th Year of The Homecoming!

The Homecoming 2019 Roll up on Saturday 29 June as the modern circus swings back into Newcastle-under-Lyme for the sixth year of outdoor circus gala The Homecoming! 2019. Presenting some of the freshest in contemporary circus talent in the town centre, come along with your family and ...

Freedom of the Borough for Fred and Greta Van Buren

Inspirational Van Buren's Under Spotlight for Lifetime Achievement - Freedom of the Borough for Fred and Connie Greta. A husband and wife duo who entertained audiences all over the world for more than four decades with their magnificent magic and illusion ...

Channel 4 Extreme Cake Makers Astley Cake

Popular Channel 4 program 'Extreme Cake Makers' today broadcast the making and unveiling of the Extreme Philip Astley Cake. The cake was commissioned by Philip Astley Project Director and performer Andrew Van Buren as the perfect celebration cake. The cake marks the ...

Philip Astley Celebrations Circus Party Event

  As a big thank you to many of the people who have helped to make the Philip Astley Project possible and so successful, and to celebrate the launch of the Philip Astley Resource Pack, Staffordshire University held a Philip Astley ...

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