Farewell to the showman who mingled with Lennon

A horse drawn carriage followed by six limousines will carry his coffin to St Peter's Church in Windsor Street, where Gerry Cottle, famous for running his own circus, will be deliver the eulogy.

Joseph's daughter, Charmaine Traylen, said: "My dad was a great character and a great showman, and I don't think there's many people who didn't know my dad.

"He would talk to everybody, and everybody had a story to tell about him. He was definitely 90 years young."
Joseph, who was also suffering from a brain tumour, was born near Feltham and moved to Chertsey 50 years ago.

His father-in-law was Billy Smart, founder of the nationally famous Smart's touring circus, and when he married Peggy Smart, in 1948, Joseph began a funfair, which the couple then combined with Billy Smart's circus to provide entertainment for big events.

It was through the circus in the 1960s, that Joseph met some of the world's biggest celebrities.
Charmaine said: "My father could get on with anybody, young or old, and regardless of whether they were famous or not.

"At a party at Windsor Safari Park, he was sitting for ages just chatting to John Lennon.

"I don't think he realised who he was, because I think he asked him what he did for a living, but it just showed that he would happily mix with anybody and could get on with anybody.

"Lionel Blair was dancing there that day, and Roger Moore was visiting, so he got to meet them as well as the Beatles."

The circus grew to become the biggest in Europe, and was televised on BBC1 every Christmas Day until the 1970s.

Joseph and Peggy eventually branched out independently, and bought Stevens Yard in Fordwater Road 40 years ago, originally to store fun fair equipment.

As the fun fair grew, the couple used their profit to turn the site into a commercial yard, letting out premises to other businesses.

But their lives were also touched by tragedy.

Twenty years ago, Charmaine's younger brother, Perrin Stevens, was involved in a car crash and was in a coma for two years, but later died.

Shortly afterwards, Peggy died of bowel cancer, but Charmaine believes she died of a broken heart. Both are buried in Chertsey Cemetery, and Joseph will be laid to rest next to them next week.

Charmaine added: "My father was very committed to his work, and would often spend two or three days driving up to Scotland to put on a funfair.

"He worked hard, but he also played hard. When he was 80 we took him on holiday to Thailand and he danced on the bar."

"He was a showman to the end, and two months ago we were down in Worthing with a fun fair, and we were all there for about six weeks, despite his illness.

Joseph leaves behind his daughter Charmaine, as well as two grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

His funeral will be on Tuesday September 23 at 1pm at St Peter's Church in Windsor Street, Chertsey, following a procession with horse-drawn carriages, which will go through Chertsey town centre.