Coco the Clown - Nicolai Polakovs OBE - Woodnewton, Northamptonshire, UK - Grave of a Famous Person on Waymarking.com

Every other year, in the month of September, the village of Woodnewton hosts a Clown Festival, in memory of Co-Co the clown who is buried there.

The PeoplePlay UK website listed, states the following:

Technically, Coco is not a clown but an 'Auguste' - that is the foolish character who is always on the receiving end of buckets of water and custard pies. The Auguste often works with the cleverer white-faced 'clown' who always gets the better of him.

Coco, whose real name was Nicolai Poliakoff, was born in Latvia in 1900. His parents worked in the theatre when Nicolai was born, but both lost their jobs a few years later, and in order to survive, Nicolai started busking from the age of five. In 1929 Nicolai, or 'Coco' as he was then called, came to England with his young wife Valentina and began working for Bertram Mills' Circus. He left the Circus temporarily to serve in the British Army during World War 2, but returned straight afterwards. He performed before royalty all over the world, and received a medal from the Queen for his years of work in promoting road safety for children.

Description: The gravestone is inscripted: In loving memory of Nicolai Polakovs O.B.E. (Coco the Clown) 25th Sept 1971 aged 74 years Loved and remembered always. Also his dear wife Valentina Died 10th Jan 1983 aged 82 years Re-united. Date of birth: 01/01/1900 Date of death: 09/25/1971 Area of notoriety: Entertainment Marker Type: Headstone Setting: Outdoor Visiting Hours/Restrictions: Anytime Fee required?: No Web site: [Web Link]

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