Skegness


Skegness Donkeys


Best British Donkey Awards 2006
Nuttalls Donkeys
Blacksmith Fitting Horseshoes


Best British Donkey Awards

The Donkey Sanctuary paid a visit to Skegness to present the 2006 awards to the Best British Beach Donkeys.
The Mayor of Skegness (pictured below), Coun Phil Kemp, said the donkeys were wonderfully turned out, beautiful creatures, deserving the accolade they'd achieved.
He added that the awards reflected very nicely on Skegness, and it was all a testament to the owners of the donkeys who had done a wonderful job of looking after them.
"The donkeys are the real stars of the show", the Mayor finished.

Best British Donkey awards

Chairman of the East Lindsey Dictrict Council, Dr Lawrence Taffinder,  said he was glad that donkey rides on the beach are still part of the great British tradition. He said that he was looking forward to bringing his grandchildren to Skegness next year to take a ride on the famous donkeys.
Dr Taffinder said "It's a great honour for Skegness to have so many award winning donkeys,
"I've only one question I'd like to ask Bruno - 'Would he like a certificate or a carrot?' "
Dr Taffinder pulled out a carrot from the brown paper bag, offered it to Bruno, and immediately had his answer!
EDLC chairman feeding carrot to Best British Donkey
Pictured below are Bruno, owned by Chris Epton and two of Nuttall's Donkeys, who came second in the Best British Donkey awards.
Best British Donkey awards

Best British Donkey awards

Below: Michelle Nuttall being presented with a certificate for her donkeys coming second in the Best British Donkey Awards.

Best British Donkey awards

Julie, wefare officer for the Donkey Sanctuary

Best British Donkey awards

The Mayor of Skegness, Coun Phil Kemp pictured with Bruno the Best British Donkey
Best British Donkey awards

Next three photos are of Chris Epton with Bruno, and Dr Lawrence Taffinder, chairman of ELDC
Best British Donkey awards 
Best British Donkey awards

Best British Donkey awards


Video of the Skegness Beach Donkeys on their way to work
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Memories of the Donkeys

The Donkeys are a familiar sight in Skegness, as morning and evening they canter through the streets on their way to and from work. 
Their jingling bells herald their passing. 
Sometimes they get a little wayward and mount the grass verges. 
When I first started visiting Skegness in 1976, I was bemused by the sight, being a city bird.

news story date 26th Mar 2006
The sun was shining and it was a lovely warm day for the last Sunday in March. An air of excited anticipation hangs over Skegness as the official holiday season begins in a couple of weeks at Easter. Businesses are preparing their premises on the promenade and the beach; candy floss, do-nuts, buckets & spades; Bottons amusement park is firing on all cylinders; everything the holidaymakers could want!
Always popular with the children are the donkey rides on the beach.

 
The donkeys are owned by Mr Epton who told us that today is the first day this year that they have been brought to work on the sands.
Interviewer Paul Gooch asked Mr Epton if donkey rides were still popular at the seaside. Mr Epton assured us that they certainly were. "Skegness wouldn't be the same without the donkeys", he added.
Mr Epton has won the 'Best Beach Donkeys' award for three consecutive years.

More about the Skegness Donkeys

Donkey rides Skegness sands
Mr Epton adjusts Bruno's bridle. He tells us that this is Bruno's first day on the beach.

childrens donkey rides Skegness










Bruno is fitted with his bridle....

Skegness Donkey
....and is ready to join his friends!

Childrens donkey rides Skegness sands

The waiting children are hoisted into the saddles and away they go on the first ride of the season.

Childrens donkey rides Skegness sands   Childrens donkey rides Skegness sands

Childrens donkey rides Skegness sands



 Childrens donkey rides Skegness sands



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