Sparks fly at animal circus

Published on 27th July 2006 in News

A series of peaceful protests staged outside Jolly?s animal circus in Howden spiralled out of control last week when staff clashed with protesters at the gate.

At the centre of the controversy was Sparky the Clown, real name Stanley Thompson, who was arrested on suspicion of assault and fined ?80 for disorder after an incident involving around eight protesters at the gates of the site.

Members of the Captive Animals Protection Society (CAPS) and the Goole and District RSPCA gathered outside the site on the A614 bypass in Howden on Wednesday, July 19, to protest peacefully against the use of a performing bear, line-dancing mules, camels and an ankole bull, amongst others, in the circus that is one of just eight in the UK still to use animals.

Protester knocked down by car

It was alleged that the West Cumbrian clown was driving onto the site as the show was about to start, when, protesters say, he stopped the car and reversed backwards, knocking over one of their members, who was shaken but not hurt.

Humberside Police has confirmed that a 29 year-old man from Cumbria had been arrested at the circus gate that night and issued with a fine.

However, Sparky returned on Thursday (July 20) to confront protesters once again, and allegedly launched himself at a protester who was taking photos of the clown. The same man also said that he was later head-butted by another member of circus staff. Police were called but the clown had left the scene by the time they arrived, and no arrest was made.

The protester, who has made a statement to police over his alleged attack on Thursday, told the Goole Times: ?I was more shaken than hurt after what happened. I knew that this circus had a certain track record, but I was shocked at how aggressive they really were.?

Wednesday?s attack became Sparky the Clown?s second arrest in a year, after he accepted a police caution for common assault in October 2005 when the circus was in Bolton.

It was said that the clown, wearing full make-up, had left a female protester with a minor mouth injury and bruising after pushing her because she was taking pictures of him.

Goole and Brigg MP Ian Cawsey, who has been chairman of the Animal Welfare Group in Parliament, was appalled by the abuse protesters received throughout the week that Jolly?s Circus was in town.

He said: ?I am concerned by how aggressive these people have been towards members of the RSPCA, which is a well respected organisation, especially since the circus staff are responsible for the care of animals.

?I cannot wait for the day when this country has laws to stop animals being used in circuses.?

The last animal circus to appear in the Goole area was Bobby Roberts in 1996, and Goole Town Council agreed to ban circuses with performing animals last year.

However, Jolly?s Circus was sited on private land so no action was taken by Howden Town Council, but mayor Ingrid Ridley has said she is against the use of animals in such shows.

Jolly?s Circus stayed in Howden until Sunday, July 23, and protesters continued to campaign peacefully, with no further trouble reported.

RSPCA member Georgina Petty told the Goole Times: ?We?ve been really pleased with the response. A banner stating ?Honk if you support us? was very effective as many cars honked and cheered us, which really irritated the circus staff.

?We heard reports that at one point they were trying to increase the music in the big top to drown out the support we were receiving, which amused us greatly.?

The use of animals as part of the show upset a number of youngsters and, on Sunday afternoon, two cars full of young children on their way to the circus did u-turns when the children realised that animals were being made to perform.

Five year-old Abigail Hardcastle from Howden was also excited when she heard a circus was coming to town, but was so appalled when she found out that animals were involved that she donated the ?6 she had saved up to spend at the circus to the RSPCA.

Abigail?s mum, Sarah Hardcastle, told the Goole Times: ?Abigail loves animals and wants to be a vet, so when she found out that animals were being used in the show and that they may not be looked after properly, she refused to go to the circus.

?She has adopted a whale and was going to donate her money in that area, but we decided to give the money to the RSPCA after the good work they?ve been doing by protesting.?