Opposition grows for animal circus
An animal circus that has been heavily criticised by campaigners has pitched up at a Lincolnshire village.
Vehicles from The Great British Circus began arriving at a field in Waddington yesterday morning.
-
The first circus vehicles on the playing fields.
Animals such as lions and tigers will not start arriving at the circus until closer to the date of the first performance on March 3.
Organisers say most people are happy for them to be there.
And they say animal rights campaigners who oppose them do not represent ordinary people.
But opposition from local residents is mounting, with village critics insisting they still want to stop performances from going ahead.
And while campaigners are concerned about whether animals should be used in circuses, villagers are more worried about practical issues such as parking and traffic.
Kim Crawford, assistant clerk at Waddington Parish Council, said she had been flooded with complaints in the hours after the circus began arriving.
"My office line has not stopped ringing," she said.
"People have been phoning up and complaining all morning."
Fears have been raised by some about whether Brant Road and Station Road next to the field will be clogged up with traffic.
There are also concerns that visitors to the circus will park on local roads.
Both accusations have been rebutted by the circus.
But as the opening day approaches, organisers say interest in the circus is mounting.
Spokesman Chris Barltrop said: "We have been careful to make proper arrangements so that the site is suitable for parking.
"One or two people have concerns, but it's properly organised, and that's how we cope with the expected crowds.
"I hope we can make friends with local people."
The circus will open for business on Wednesday, March 3 at 5pm.
32 Comments
View all
by Martin, Lincoln
Friday, February 26 2010, 1:30PM
“Well which attitudes are the selfish ones?
If people disagree with the general concept of the circus, they should lobby their MP to have it and its ilk made illegal.
In the meantime, it is legal and all they're trying to do is prevent people who wish to see it from doing so, for no other reason than the fact that they don't happen to like it.
And that is abhorrent.”
by Kate, London
Friday, February 26 2010, 1:13PM
“I'm not trying to impress anybody, certainly not you Martin! I just find thoughtless, selfish, blinkered attitudes very depressing. If you want to call yourself a 'yokel' go for it, but you can still be an informed and compassionate human being surely!”
by Martin, Lincoln
Friday, February 26 2010, 10:08AM
“Yes, Kate, what with London being the crime-free, unpolluted, fairly-priced, bohemian utopia it is, I am so, so envious.
Get off your high horse, Toots, you're impressing nobody. Not even us yokels.”
by Kate, London
Thursday, February 25 2010, 5:47PM
“The majority of these comments make me thank the lord I left Lincolnshire 20 years ago. The 'I-couldn't-give-a-toss-about-anything-as-long-as-I'm-alright-Jack' mentality is deeply worrying and I fear for the unfortunate offspring of these small minded individuals. You are ignorant and inhumane.”
by Jim, Waddington
Thursday, February 25 2010, 5:00PM
“Storm in a tea-cup, speaking to one of the organisers who has said if successful it will be an annual event which will be good for the village.”
by Ted, Sleaford
Thursday, February 25 2010, 4:33PM
“A trainer at the SeaWorld park in Orlando, Florida, has died after being attacked by a killer whale. Maybe that sums up the opinions of the animals on performing in captivity.”
by Animal Mother, Field.
Thursday, February 25 2010, 3:56PM
“As long as I have my entertainment and my kids have a good time for a couple of hours I really couldnt give a toss if the animals are treated badly or not!”
by Peter, Lincolnshire
Thursday, February 25 2010, 1:52PM
“May I suggest that the field be sold off to allow houses to be built, then that will put a stop of another circus coming to town. What we already have is being destroyed anyway, whether it be our heritage, what remains of Roman Lincoln, the West Common taken away from the people for private horse racing, and of course the direct railway link to London has been shelved.
Poor old Lincoln and Waddington for there is not much to show whereby most historical things have been built upon covered in concrete or buildings.
Still, I shall be going to the circus with my children perhaps possibly watching the last performance in Lincoln. What next will people complain about and target?”
by mike lion, bigcage rd welton
Thursday, February 25 2010, 1:31PM
“So all you killjoy moaners -did your mummies & daddies never take you to the circus- please get a life .
sad sad people”
by David, Bracebridge Heath
Thursday, February 25 2010, 12:34PM
“Wow, this really is village mentality at its worse. A bit of traffic and a bit of extra noise is enough for you lot to try to ruin the party, get a job get a life.”