Saturday, December 28, 2013

Northampton Clown responds to criticism from Clowns International

Remember the Northampton Clown? Under an "Exclusive"label, the Northampton Chronicle & Echo reports:
Tony Eldridge, secretary of Clowns International which represents the entertainers in Britain, has said the Northampton Clown is “doing clowning no favours” ...
Mr Eldridge, whose clown name is Bluebottle, said...
Older reader's voice: "Was it 'You dirty rotten swine! You deaded me'?"

Liberal England replies patiently: No he said:
“The people behind it might see it as a bit of a laugh, but for the victims it can be a horrible experience.

“The fear of clowns – coulrophobia – is a real thing and some people will react very badly to this. Not to mention people who are elderly or vulnerable.

“This has nothing to do with clowning, it’s a small group of people with stupid views and it spoils the fun for everybody else.”

Mr Eldridge said most professional clowns followed a clown code of conduct which included not wearing their costume in public. 
You can see what he means: just ask the good people of King's Lynn.

But the Northampton Clown is having none of it. He told the Chronicle & Echo:
“I wave at people who spot me and they wave back and ask for a photo. I can’t help it if some one who sees me is afraid of clowns. My type of clowning is a positive thing and has brought a lot of happiness to many people who enjoy a bit of fun and mystery.

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