Skegness Magazine

1973

A MEMBER of the Weight family, whose circus opened at the North Parade car park, Skegness, last week, is in Pilgrim Hospital, Boston, recovering f ram an attack on his leg by one of the circus animals — a Himalayan bear.
And the condition of Mr Philip Weight (25),  son of the circus. owner, Mr Charles Weight, was described as ” satisfactory” by a spokesman on Monday afternoon.
The accident happened on Wednesday when Philip was getting the six-year-old female bear, Sheba, for a practice for his father’s act.
Philip went inside the animal’s cage and put its collar on and brought it out Sheba went back inside and Philip followed: The bear at once turned on him and attacked one of his legs.
Philip was pulled to the floor and tried to beat off the bear with his bare hands. Mr Charles Weight heard his cries and rushed inside the cage and managed to get the bear off his son.
The bear had already made two bites in Philip’s leg. He was taken to Skegness Hospital and transferred to Boston by ambulance.
Mr Charles Weight, who was bitten on the arm by Sheba in the spring, said “The bear is unpredictable; one minute it is docile like a rabbit, and the next it can be like a raging fury.”
He explained that while Sheba was in her cage, she did not wear a muzzle, and when she was ready to perform, Philip led her to his father in the circus ring.
Philip is unlikely to be able to do his wire walking act for several weeks after he comes out of hospital; but the circus show will go on with the other acts, including a home riding one by Philip’s wife, Loretta.
Weight’s Family Circus will be in Skegness until 7 September with two shows every day except on Saturday.