Video: Donkeys make Weston super!

23 April 2009

WESTON wouldn't be super without its donkeys - and the public obviously agree, as they have just been voted Britain's best seaside attraction.

The familiar four-legged creatures have been pacing the seafront for more than 100 years, giving excitable young children rides and lasting memories.

Now they have been recognised in the 2009 Coast Award, beating about 50 other seaside attractions including piers, art galleries and museums.

The History

The 47 donkeys that currently work on the beach are owned by the Mager family, who first started their business in the 1880s.

William Mager is thought to have begun the donkey rides in 1888, although the family has found a licence for the business which dates back to 1886.

His great-great-grandson, Kevin Mager, aged 58, now runs the rides with his brothers Nick and Peter, his son Andrew and his father Ron, aged 83.

Kevin said: "The men in the family have always run the business and it has been passed down from generation to generation.

"When I started helping out I was about eight or nine years old and people would be queuing up for the Tropicana swimming pool.

"We used to have to clear a path to get the donkeys down and by lunchtime it would be heaving.

"When children come to visit they often bring apples or carrots and ask to feed them. If they rode a donkey the previous year, they remember its name and ask for the same donkey again.

"There isn't a better beach in Britain so Weston is the ideal spot.

"We rear a lot of them ourselves but we do buy some and take in rescue donkeys as well.

"Our family has a big history of working on the seafront. We run the bouncy castle, swings, go-karts and the some of the refreshment stalls.

"My uncle Francis Browning made Weston rock and sweets in Stanley Grove off Ashcombe Grove. Our whole family is associated with the seafront."

The donkeys work on the beach from about February to October.

When they aren't entertaining youngsters they enjoy a winter holiday with foster families. They travel to farms or are looked after by families and put their hooves up over the Christmas period.

Donkey names

Each donkey is named by Kevin and his brothers and more often than not are named after a family member.

Kevin said: "They get their own name. We always manage to find enough names.

"We are due to have three more foals this year so perhaps we will have to name one Emma or Mercury."

The Award

In 2011 and the donkeys will be celebrating 125 years of working on the seafront and are planning 'something special' to mark the occasion.

But for now they are revelling in topping the poll, which will see them receive a trophy and certificate.

Kevin said: "Winning the award was quite an achievement. We've never won anything like that before.

"It is really nice to get recognition and be appreciated for what we have done.

"It is also great for the town and Weston tourism.

Donkey Facts

* There are about 800 donkeys working on beaches in Britain today. Blackpool Beach has 200 alone.

* China has the largest donkey population in the world at about 11 million.

* Donkeys can live for more than 50 years but one in its 40s is thought to be 'elderly'.

* A male donkey is called a jack. A female is called a jennet or jenny.

* Donkeys are believed to have come to England with the Roman invasion of Britain in the year 43AD.

* When a male zebra and a female donkey mate the offspring is called a zedonk or zebrass.

* Donkey milk was once used as medicine and given to premature babies.