Shufflebottom, Florence, 1931 - 2013
Dates
- Existence: 1931 - 2013
Biography
Florence Shufflebottom was a fairground sideshow sharpshooter known as the British Annie Oakley.
Florence was the granddaughter of William Shufflebottom aka Texas Bill and daughter of Richard Shufflebottom.
Florence was born in 1931 in Leeds and started to perform in the family wild west show at a very young age. From the age of five she performed as a target for her father's knife, axe and tomahawk throwing act and she also developed a snake-charming show. But what made Florence popular was her sharpshooting and she quickly developed a reputation as a gifted marksman, which combined with her skills as a snake-charmer, became an integral part of the family show.
In 1957 Florence married Robert Campbell and they continued travelling their show around the fairgrounds until popular interest declined in the 1960s. Later in life Florence and Robert run a catering business and a bingo hall in Selby.
Florence died in 2013 aged 82 and her funeral was held at Cottingley crematorium in Leeds.