'Our circus animals are perfectly happy'
The organisers of an animal circus that will open its doors in Lincolnshire today have hit out at critics who do not want them there.
The Great British Circus begins a new season in Waddington amid expectations of thousands of visitors over the next two weeks.
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Dancer Carly Athawes and camel Callum read a copy of the Lincolnshire Echo. The Great British Circus is set to open today at the Sidney Memorial Hall Playing Field in Waddington, near Lincoln, amid a flood of protests.
Both councillors and villagers near the site in Brant Road have raised a string of concerns about the circus.
Campaigners are also unhappy about the use of tigers, camels and other animals.
But in a robust defence of the circus, bosses have insisted animal welfare standards are second to none – and compare favourably with those in zoos.
They say opponents of the circus are few in number – while around 10,000 people will come along between now and March 14.
Spokesman Bernard Bale said: "Let's get real.
"Animals are disappearing from the wild because the wild itself is disappearing.
"And these are not migratory animals.
"They are perfectly happy to be in one place.
"They are inspected by independent veterinarians on a regular basis, and you can see the animals are perfectly happy."
The circus has been running for ten years, and bosses there say it is one of the most successful in the UK – regularly picking up awards.
There are several tigers, camels, horses and llamas currently on site in Waddington, but critics say they have no place there.
Staff at the circus say this is not true – and are happy for people to come and see how things are run.
Animal rights campaigners are preparing to protest in Waddington today.
Locals living near the circus have also voiced concerns about traffic, parking and the impact on the field – although the circus staff say there are no problems.
Mr Bale says only "a score" of people have any issue with the circus being in town.
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by Resident, Waddington
Thursday, March 04 2010, 1:03PM
“Lynn, what a ridiculous comment. Do you mean to tell me you avert your eyes whenever the red arrows are practising over Lincoln because you haven't paid for the privilege? Doesn't that mean you too have double standards by your own reckoning?”
by circus hater, lincs
Wednesday, March 03 2010, 6:50PM
“Hey, do you remove earlier 'comments'??? My last one was a response to someone else - looks a bit random now!!! Ah well.”
by circus hater, lincs
Wednesday, March 03 2010, 6:43PM
“'animal nutters' please NEVER give up!!!!!!
I think you're great (unlike this circus, which certainly ain't)!!!”
by Barbs, 12 ft from the Camels
Wednesday, March 03 2010, 6:04PM
“A Big welcome to the circus all its workers & animals.Nice to see something going on in the field i hope they come again,been here over 20 years & now only see dog walkers (a few dirty ones included).My son & daughter spent hours playing in the field as kids along with many others it used to be quite a busy area & dog mess was not a problem, now quite a few owners don't clean up after their dogs,there's no wonder children don't play on there anymore i can't take my grandson on there to run around as there's so much of it about.Maybe we should ban dogs & have a circus put on the field it would be much cleaner.Every day since they arrived i have watched the circus workers clean,feed & show love & attention to the animals whatever the weather, they are cared for very well.”
by Andrew, Lincoln
Wednesday, March 03 2010, 1:11PM
“I've never been to the Circus...”
by lynn, lincoln
Wednesday, March 03 2010, 12:54PM
“The residents of 'Waddo' are all out in their back gardens, with a picnic and a bottle of wine to see the 'free' air show.
Two sets of values me thinks, machines and animals all create emissions.”
by eddie, scotland
Wednesday, March 03 2010, 10:15AM
“here we go again waddo lot at it again if it is not them on about the bypass it is about the circus let them get on with it and stop moaning.”
by Ian, Lincoln
Wednesday, March 03 2010, 10:08AM
“Reading this story over the week, it appears to me is that the field that the circus is using is in the control of the Parish Council.
The circus cannot be stopped and will go on regardless of protests as it is not breaking any laws.
The solution in the future for those who don't want to circus to return is to vote out parish councillors at the next elections.
Of course if the majority of the parish have no concerns over the circus, you will lose. That is democracy.”
by Jo, Lincoln
Wednesday, March 03 2010, 9:35AM
“I hope there ISNT protesters! Not is oopppps”
by jo, Lincoln
Wednesday, March 03 2010, 9:34AM
“I can't wait to take the kids to the circus! I think the Animals like Mike comments have a far less stressful life than being in the wild forever on guard. I just hope there is protesters outside like before as they are really off putting when Im driving and surely to other drivers. They should just keep there thoughts to themselfs because if anything there just going to course more problems rather than solveing anything!! And it's great to see Mike is from Waddington and seems to be completly fine witht he circus! Maybe more residents should take a leaf out of his book!”