ONE of the world’s biggest ‘circuses’ has come to town!

Hundreds of jugglers and conjurers from as far as Australia, Japan and the USA have gathered at Huddersfield New College for the 23rd annual British Juggling Convention (BJC).

The event, which began last night and runs until Sunday, is the world’s second largest gathering for fans and practitioners of circus skills.

The only bigger event of its kind is the European Juggling Convention, which was this year held in Joensuu, Finland.

BJC is an opportunity for performers to share their skills and learn new ones.

Among the disciplines on display at the convention are juggling, poi, diabolo, devil sticks, unicycling, trapeze and glass walking.

A grand show featuring top performers takes place at Huddersfield Town Hall on Saturday.

Novices will be joined by some of the world’s greatest performers including champion jugglers Ben Beever, Luke Burrage and Peter Bone, who completed a 13-ball ‘flash’.

Experts from circus schools Circo Media, of Bristol, and Circus Space, of London, will be on hand to pass on their tricks in about 100 workshops.

Unlike more commercial festivals BJC prides itself on sharing skills.

Everyone chips in, says site manager Mini Mansell, who has helped run BJC events since 1997.

Mini said: “It’s by jugglers for jugglers. People teach the stuff they’re good at and learn the stuff they’re not so good at.

“Even the organising team help and pay for tickets. Everyone has to do a bit of work. We have a family kind of ethos.”

Circus skills peaked in popularity in the early 1990s during the rave and acid house craze.

Popularity waned as the craze died but a core of faithful fans has remained while new younger performers bring new skills to the fold.

BJC organiser Emily Winch said: “There’s a couple of older experienced jugglers and teenagers who are bringing in a new crazy style. Every year the under-21s are doing their thing.”

Mini added: “It’s no longer the preserve of Crusties and New Age Travellers. There’s a high percentage of computer programmers and people with normal day jobs.

“We’ve been here 23 years and it’s here to stay.”