The Stage

Dover council reverses circus ban

Published Tuesday 13 July 2004 at 12:45 by Liz Thomas

Dover District Council has reversed its eight year ban on circuses appearing on land owned by the local authority, paving the way for possible applications from animal shows.

This follows the decision to allow the Chinese State Circus to appear at Victoria Park in Deal from July 27 to August 1, which effectively ends the policy in force since 1996. Although the production features human performers only, the authority could not licence the show unless it first overturned its blanket ban. The decision has been welcomed by supporters of animal shows and greeted with dismay by their opponents.

Martin Lacey of the Animal Care and Equine Training Organisation and founder of the Working Animals Group applauded the Dover decision, predicting it would win widespread public support and see the return of animal shows.

In a letter to The Stage he claimed: “The public are sick of lies and half-truths and can now vote with their feet in support of the classical circus.”

However, the authority has insisted its decision to approve the Chinese circus would not result in permits for all applications.

Council leader Paul Watkins said the authority was “delighted to be able to make this change that will allow circuses on to council land” but added a proviso that permits would be granted “where this is considered appropriate”.

Jan Creamer, director of Animal Defenders International - which highlighted the 1999 case that led to circus trainer Mary Chipperfield, husband Roger Cawley and their elephant keeper Steve Gills being convicted of cruelty to animals - criticised the council’s stance. She said there was no reason the local authority could not enforce a ban which excluded only animal circuses.

“Dover has the opportunity to make a progressive step - invite human-only circuses to the town and do the animals a favour while helping human performers, too. The less animal acts there are, the more human acts can be employed. “

A Dover council spokesman described the permit for the Chinese State Circus as an “exception”.

He stated: “The policy on circuses meant the process of approving their application was complex and prolonged so it was therefore felt appropriate to review all policy.”