Roger, I'm glad you started a new thread on this - reading the Independent on the way home from work today, I found the following story:

Clowning with a load of cobblers

An Italian clown cannot remember where he has left his size 26 shoes, which he needs for performances in London this week. David Vassallo, of Billy Smarts Circus, said he had forgotten which cobbler he left them withg for repair"

The Independent 23/08/00 p6

And, mmmm, that's it....

Ed