Tuesday, March 03, 2009

From Sue Lenz #1


Martin Lacey, originally uploaded by bucklesw1.


Hi Buckles:

Great seeing you and Barbara at Carol & Bill Hall's Luncheon last week.

Enclosed a picture of Martin Lacey, The owner of “The Great British Circus” in the UK.

I think Mr. Lacey should be commended on his decision to import an Elephant act from Germany to the UK despite all the Animal activists.

By the reports I hear from England it certainly hasn't hurt the business as he is packing them in.

Posted by Buckles at 3/03/2009 06:41:00 AM

9 comments:

Anonymous said...

Sue,
I also commend Martin Lacey for his inclusion of elephants. One thing about it, he has certainly received a lot of press coverage. I believe he has always been very keen on publicity. This will no doubt provide a bandwagon for every anti organization in the UK to jump on. It is a shame, that the country that founded modern circus, has made it so tough for its proprietors to operate. Always enjoy your photos.
Erik Jaeger

03 March, 2009 10:29
Mike Naughton said...

Sue showed me the latest Great British Circus program book last December where the show features its CODE OF CONDUCT regarding animal care.

I contacted GBC and they happily sent the original artwork to me which is currently on Dick Dykes blog, it contains several pages.

It is well-written and presents the facts in a clear way for consumption by the general public.

If anyone would like the file, please contact me
MikeNaughtonCircus@verizon.net

A similar "Circus Animal Care Code of Conduct" would be a great addition to those inch-thick Shrine Circus programs that contains 99.9 per cent advertisements and hardly any circus information.

I hope the Great British Circus has to get a bigger tent to seat the crowds!

As the master of circus publicity, PT Barnum, said "Every crowd has a silver lining."

03 March, 2009 10:50
Anonymous said...

Last year in St Louis, a British woman told me how great it was that her child could ride the elephant while at the circus. She said it was one of the best parts of her visit to the states.

03 March, 2009 11:20
Anonymous said...

CHEERS MR LACEY AND GREAT LUCK TO YOU AND YOUR CIRCUS !

A FAN OVER IN THE COLONIES,

PAUL GUTHEIL

PS I'D LOVE TO MEET YOU ONE DAY AND THAT VERY HANDSOME FELLOW WITH YOU.

03 March, 2009 11:40
Tom Wilds said...

Couple things -
Martin also has 2 very well know sons working cats in Europe.
There is a great statement regarding the anti folks made by Martin in a video clip, search youtube.
The Great British Circus website now has a "Circus Store" check it out.

Well that's 3, sorry
Tom Wilds

03 March, 2009 14:50
Anonymous said...

Years ago I saw Martin Lacys show when it was Circus Harlequin and then The Great British Circus. He used to have bears and I am wondering if he still has bears or what became of them. We may pop over next week to the circus. Thank you.

03 March, 2009 15:15
Anonymous said...

Great to see someone with a bit of guts that wont lay down to these animal fanatics 100 out of 1oo mr
LACEY ROBERT pERRY
AUSTRALIA

03 March, 2009 17:07
Anonymous said...

Mr. Wilds,
Do not forget his wife who also trains polar bears and sea lions.
Mr. Naughton, writing something down is easy adhering to it is very often difficult.
ToddP

03 March, 2009 21:06
Mike Naughton said...

Mr. ToddP,

I have always hired the best animals acts; they didn't need a "written code".

The "code" would be a wonderful opportunity to inform the public about the animals.

The GBC Code is well-written and stated in plain English (both British and American). It is a positive piece and a great first impression for the public.

Instead of having to "defend" our position from accusations this instrument presents our case in an "offensive" and much less confrontational setting.

To paraphrase myself, when asked by a reporter about the animals on my circus, my response has been, "My ponies have better living conditions than ALL OF the neglected senior citizens and destitute children in the United States."

I then proceed to give the reporter a "tour" of the stable, I do a mini-lecture about the hay and grain. If time permits I show them the hoofs of the ponies with some info on "Equine Pedicure Procedures". I throw in the line, "Let's go inside to the seats and see how many children have clean finger nails, let alone nice healthy finger nails."

After the "tour" they don't have too many questions regarding quality of care.

As we say in New York City:
It ain't Bull Sh++ if you can back it up.


The written code is a tool; great job GBC. Tools are only effective in the right person's hand.

03 March, 2009 21:50

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