Guest guest Posted July 27, 2007 Report Share Posted July 27, 2007 Poor donkeys.......... Children banned from donkey derby The donkey derby has been a summer highlight for 39 yearsInflatable sheep and a toy orangutan had to replace children as the jockeys in an annual donkey derby after insurers refused to cover the event. The race has been held in Llandudno every summer for 39 years with parents previously signing disclaimer forms. But organisers Llandudno Rugby Club were advised this could not continue and when no insurance could be found they were forced to resort to "Plan B". Club chairman Robin Holden said a lot of children had been left disappointed. One sheep deflated spontaneously so had to be substituted by an orangutan...he was a last minute replacement jockey but performed admirably Robin Holden, fun day organiser The problem came to light after the rugby club began reviewing health and safety procedures. Mr Holden said: "We spoke to our insurers and they said they would not insure the donkeys racing with children on their backs. "The guy who runs the donkeys approached his insurers who would not insure them either." The donkey derby, which began as a event in itself, has since grown into a fun day attracting up to 5,000 people at Bodafon Fields, with a fair and show jumping. 'Highlight for children' It had had resulted in "hardly any accidents" other than minor bumps in its 39 years, said Mr Holden. But, the club's lawyers also advised parents could not sign away their children's rights with a disclaimer, leaving the club open to legal action if an injured child reached an age where they decided to claim themselves. While Mr Holden said he understood insurance companies were the experts in assessing risk, he felt sorry for the children for whom the event was a highlight. When a broker could not find an insurance company to help, it was time to resort to the inflatables. "We came up with the notion of putting some sort of inflatable objects on the donkeys" said Mr Holden. "We chatted to the donkey owner who said the donkeys will run with whatever on their backs. "One sheep deflated spontaneously so had to be substituted by an orangutan. He was a last minute replacement jockey but performed admirably." The alternative donkey derby "went very well" with the annual tote still going ahead, said Mr Holden, but many children were left disappointed. Brian Bertola is a Llandudno town councillor has helped organise the event for 38 years. He said: "I'm a former teacher that believes in teaching young children about adventure and giving them Duke of Edinburgh training. "Any activity now with the slightest risk or adventure is being eroded by bureaucracy and health and safety regulations. "There is an element of risk in life and learning how to deal with that is important to developing character." A spokeswoman for the Association of British Insurers said the donkey derby could still take place without insurance but the owner of the donkeys would be liable for any losses arising through injury. She added: "Insurers are in business to offer affordable cover wherever possible. "In these litigious times, good risk management is key - insurers will advise customers on how to effectively manage any risks to reduce potential personal injury claims." Peter H Mail is the world's favourite email. Don't settle for less, sign up for your free account today. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 28, 2007 Report Share Posted July 28, 2007 Many donkeys love children and don't mind beng ridden in the least. Lawyers are stealing our lives. >Peter VV <swpgh01 > > >Re: Children banned from donkey derby >Fri, 27 Jul 2007 20:35:11 +0100 (BST) > >Poor donkeys.......... > Children banned from donkey derby > > The donkey derby has been a summer highlight for 39 years > >Inflatable sheep and a toy orangutan had to replace children as the jockeys >in an annual donkey derby after insurers refused to cover the event. The >race has been held in Llandudno every summer for 39 years with parents >previously signing disclaimer forms. But organisers Llandudno Rugby Club >were advised this could not continue and when no insurance could be found >they were forced to resort to " Plan B " . Club chairman Robin Holden said a >lot of children had been left disappointed. One sheep >deflated spontaneously so had to be substituted by an orangutan...he was a >last minute replacement jockey but performed admirably > > > Robin Holden, fun day organiser > > The problem came to light after the rugby club began reviewing health >and safety procedures. Mr Holden said: " We spoke to our insurers and they >said they would not insure the donkeys racing with children on their backs. > " The guy who runs the donkeys approached his insurers who would not >insure them either. " The donkey derby, which began as a event in itself, >has since grown into a fun day attracting up to 5,000 people at Bodafon >Fields, with a fair and show jumping. 'Highlight for children' It had >had resulted in " hardly any accidents " other than minor bumps in its 39 >years, said Mr Holden. But, the club's lawyers also advised parents could >not sign away their children's rights with a disclaimer, leaving the club >open to legal action if an injured child reached an age where they decided >to claim themselves. While Mr Holden said he understood insurance >companies were the experts in assessing risk, he felt sorry for the >children for whom the event was a > highlight. When a broker could not find an insurance company to help, >it was time to resort to the inflatables. " We came up with the notion of >putting some sort of inflatable objects on the donkeys " said Mr Holden. " We >chatted to the donkey owner who said the donkeys will run with whatever on >their backs. " One sheep deflated spontaneously so had to be substituted >by an orangutan. He was a last minute replacement jockey but performed >admirably. " The alternative donkey derby " went very well " with the annual >tote still going ahead, said Mr Holden, but many children were left >disappointed. Brian Bertola is a Llandudno town councillor has helped >organise the event for 38 years. He said: " I'm a former teacher that >believes in teaching young children about adventure and giving them Duke of >Edinburgh training. " Any activity now with the slightest risk or >adventure is being eroded by bureaucracy and health and safety regulations. > " There is an element of risk in life > and learning how to deal with that is important to developing character. " > A spokeswoman for the Association of British Insurers said the donkey >derby could still take place without insurance but the owner of the donkeys >would be liable for any losses arising through injury. She added: > " Insurers are in business to offer affordable cover wherever possible. > " In these litigious times, good risk management is key - insurers will >advise customers on how to effectively manage any risks to reduce potential >personal injury claims. " > > > > >Peter H > > > > > Mail is the world's favourite email. Don't settle for less, sign >up for your freeaccount today. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 29, 2007 Report Share Posted July 29, 2007 I dont think it right that humans belong on the backs of other animals, no matter how small they are. The Valley Vegan...........Oom Yaaqub <oomyaaqub wrote: Many donkeys love children and don't mind beng ridden in the least. Lawyers are stealing our lives.>Peter VV <swpgh01 (AT) talk21 (DOT) com>> > >Re: Children banned from donkey derby>Fri, 27 Jul 2007 20:35:11 +0100 (BST)>>Poor donkeys..........> Children banned from donkey derby>> The donkey derby has been a summer highlight for 39 years>>Inflatable sheep and a toy orangutan had to replace children as the jockeys >in an annual donkey derby after insurers refused to cover the event. The >race has been held in Llandudno every summer for 39 years with parents >previously signing disclaimer forms. But organisers Llandudno Rugby Club >were advised this could not continue and when no insurance could be found >they were forced to resort to "Plan B". Club chairman Robin Holden said a >lot of children had been left disappointed. One sheep >deflated spontaneously so had to be substituted by an orangutan...he was a >last minute replacement jockey but performed admirably>>> Robin Holden, fun day organiser>> The problem came to light after the rugby club began reviewing health >and safety procedures. Mr Holden said: "We spoke to our insurers and they >said they would not insure the donkeys racing with children on their backs. > "The guy who runs the donkeys approached his insurers who would not >insure them either." The donkey derby, which began as a event in itself, >has since grown into a fun day attracting up to 5,000 people at Bodafon >Fields, with a fair and show jumping. 'Highlight for children' It had >had resulted in "hardly any accidents" other than minor bumps in its 39 >years, said Mr Holden. But, the club's lawyers also advised parents could >not sign away their children's rights with a disclaimer, leaving the club >open to legal action if an injured child reached an age where they decided >to claim themselves. While Mr Holden said he understood insurance >companies were the experts in assessing risk, he felt sorry for the >children for whom the event was a> highlight. When a broker could not find an insurance company to help, >it was time to resort to the inflatables. "We came up with the notion of >putting some sort of inflatable objects on the donkeys" said Mr Holden. "We >chatted to the donkey owner who said the donkeys will run with whatever on >their backs. "One sheep deflated spontaneously so had to be substituted >by an orangutan. He was a last minute replacement jockey but performed >admirably." The alternative donkey derby "went very well" with the annual >tote still going ahead, said Mr Holden, but many children were left >disappointed. Brian Bertola is a Llandudno town councillor has helped >organise the event for 38 years. He said: "I'm a former teacher that >believes in teaching young children about adventure and giving them Duke of >Edinburgh training. "Any activity now with the slightest risk or >adventure is being eroded by bureaucracy and health and safety regulations. > "There is an element of risk in life> and learning how to deal with that is important to developing character." > A spokeswoman for the Association of British Insurers said the donkey >derby could still take place without insurance but the owner of the donkeys >would be liable for any losses arising through injury. She added: >"Insurers are in business to offer affordable cover wherever possible. >"In these litigious times, good risk management is key - insurers will >advise customers on how to effectively manage any risks to reduce potential >personal injury claims.">>>>>Peter H>>>>> Mail is the world's favourite email. Don't settle for less, sign >up for your freeaccount today.Peter H Mail is the world's favourite email. Don't settle for less, sign up for your free account today. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 30, 2007 Report Share Posted July 30, 2007 Whether they enjoy it or not I don't like the idea of them being carted round the country in vehicles for derbys. Jo , " Oom Yaaqub " <oomyaaqub wrote: > > Many donkeys love children and don't mind beng ridden in the least. Lawyers > are stealing our lives. > > > >Peter VV <swpgh01 > > > > > >Re: Children banned from donkey derby > >Fri, 27 Jul 2007 20:35:11 +0100 (BST) > > > >Poor donkeys.......... > > Children banned from donkey derby > > > > The donkey derby has been a summer highlight for 39 years > > > >Inflatable sheep and a toy orangutan had to replace children as the jockeys > >in an annual donkey derby after insurers refused to cover the event. The > >race has been held in Llandudno every summer for 39 years with parents > >previously signing disclaimer forms. But organisers Llandudno Rugby Club > >were advised this could not continue and when no insurance could be found > >they were forced to resort to " Plan B " . Club chairman Robin Holden said a > >lot of children had been left disappointed. One sheep > >deflated spontaneously so had to be substituted by an orangutan...he was a > >last minute replacement jockey but performed admirably > > > > > > Robin Holden, fun day organiser > > > > The problem came to light after the rugby club began reviewing health > >and safety procedures. Mr Holden said: " We spoke to our insurers and they > >said they would not insure the donkeys racing with children on their backs. > > " The guy who runs the donkeys approached his insurers who would not > >insure them either. " The donkey derby, which began as a event in itself, > >has since grown into a fun day attracting up to 5,000 people at Bodafon > >Fields, with a fair and show jumping. 'Highlight for children' It had > >had resulted in " hardly any accidents " other than minor bumps in its 39 > >years, said Mr Holden. But, the club's lawyers also advised parents could > >not sign away their children's rights with a disclaimer, leaving the club > >open to legal action if an injured child reached an age where they decided > >to claim themselves. While Mr Holden said he understood insurance > >companies were the experts in assessing risk, he felt sorry for the > >children for whom the event was a > > highlight. When a broker could not find an insurance company to help, > >it was time to resort to the inflatables. " We came up with the notion of > >putting some sort of inflatable objects on the donkeys " said Mr Holden. " We > >chatted to the donkey owner who said the donkeys will run with whatever on > >their backs. " One sheep deflated spontaneously so had to be substituted > >by an orangutan. He was a last minute replacement jockey but performed > >admirably. " The alternative donkey derby " went very well " with the annual > >tote still going ahead, said Mr Holden, but many children were left > >disappointed. Brian Bertola is a Llandudno town councillor has helped > >organise the event for 38 years. He said: " I'm a former teacher that > >believes in teaching young children about adventure and giving them Duke of > >Edinburgh training. " Any activity now with the slightest risk or > >adventure is being eroded by bureaucracy and health and safety regulations. > > " There is an element of risk in life > > and learning how to deal with that is important to developing character. " > > A spokeswoman for the Association of British Insurers said the donkey > >derby could still take place without insurance but the owner of the donkeys > >would be liable for any losses arising through injury. She added: > > " Insurers are in business to offer affordable cover wherever possible. > > " In these litigious times, good risk management is key - insurers will > >advise customers on how to effectively manage any risks to reduce potential > >personal injury claims. " > > > > > > > > > >Peter H > > > > > > > > > > Mail is the world's favourite email. Don't settle for less, sign > >up for your freeaccount today. > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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