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Scarborough's beach donkeys are the best! - COMMENT ON THIS STORY
SCARBOROUGH'S beach donkeys are officially the best in the country after scooping a national award.
The town has been named Best Resort for 2009 by the Sidmouth-based Donkey Sanctuary as part of its annual competition.
Other awards presented at the special ceremony on Scarborough's South Bay beach included: Best Individual Beach Donkey – William, owned by Rachel Phillips; Best Group – Amanda Pickles, of Filey; and Best Stables – Guy Smith.
Rachel Phillips was delighted that 13-year old William, who used to work in Scarborough and is now in Filey, was named Best Beach Donkey. She said: "William is a mischievous character – he knows his own mind and can get bored quickly! But he's wonderful with the kids and it's lovely to see him get this award."
Her sister, Amanda Pickles, who won Best Group, said: "We're really pleased. We won the award last year, so to keep it again is really nice. We get a lot of regulars coming to see the donkeys and the kids really get to know them."
Guy Smith, who is also a councillor for North Bay ward, said: "It's brilliant – to get these awards gives us the confidence the town still wants to keep donkeys on the beach."
The awards were presented by the Donkey Sanctuary's head of welfare, Martin Taggart. He said: "We've been impressed with Scarborough's donkeys. The standard is fantastic and it's rubbing off on other places. It's great to see a rise in standards as our interest is in making sure the donkeys are OK and we're supporting the people who look after them."
The donkeys are judged on overall impression, fitness for the job, temperament, condition, tack and turnout, feet, attitude of the owners and facilities.
Scarborough's mayor, Cllr Bill Chatt, also attended the presentation. He told the Evening News: "I'm very proud of all the people who do this work. It's a real tradition of seaside resorts."
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Weather for Scarborough
Saturday 26 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 10 C to 15 C
Wind Speed: 17 mph
Wind direction: North east
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 9 C to 16 C
Wind Speed: 14 mph
Wind direction: North east
