Wolds Wildlife Park featured in the first episode of a new two-part ITV documentary ‘Britain’s Tiger Kings’ with Ross Kemp on Tuesday and will be in next week’s instalment too.
Tracy Walters and Andrew Riddel own the Horncastle wildlife park, which now has a collection of around 230 animals including lions, leopards, tapirs, camels, a lima, and a lynx, as well as two tigers who will be arriving in the near future.
They initially turned down the opportunity when they were first approached by the production company Honey Bee, as they are not keen on the limelight. But they later decided to participate and enjoyed meeting Ross.
Wolds Wildlife Park owners Andrew Riddel (left) and Tracy Walters (right) with host of Britain’s Tiger Kings Ross Kemp (centre).
They featured in episode one on March 30 and will also be in the second part, which airs at 9pm on Tuesday, April 6, although not to the same extent.
In episode one, Ross headed to Lincolnshire. While watching their lion eat, Ross asks Tracy about her relationship with the animals and she says: “I couldn’t be like a normal zoo and pass him on to another zoo. I wouldn’t do it, no…they are my babies.”
Andrew and Tracy were gifted four lions by circus performer Martin Lacey Jr in 2019 after looking after his dad.
Andrew went to Germany with Ross and part of the documentary shows them going to see Martin at Krona Circus, where the lions and tigers are kept. Ross unwittingly ends up in a cage with a lion.
Ross said: “There will be lots of people in Britain that will say, ‘Well, that’s totally wrong, we love animals, that’s why we don’t want to see them in circuses or in zoos or in cages.'”
Ross also meets a man called Reece Oliver who keeps two lions in his back garden, as well as going to see former circus trainer Jim Clubb in Oxfordshire.
Ross Kemp with one of a collection of five rare Bengal Tigers at Heythrop Zoological Garden in Oxfordshire, which features on the show. | Photo: ITV
Wolds Wildlife Park reacts after featuring in episode one of ITV’s ‘Britain’s Tiger Kings’ with Ross Kemp.
Andrew and Tracy feature again in episode two, but to a lesser extent. Episode two sees Ross travel to Derby to meet Gary Smith, a lorry driver who keeps almost 50 dangerous snakes in his three-bedroom terraced house.
He also goes to Chipping Norton to see Jim Clubb, who owns five tigers and shows Ross a pair of black leopards he has recently acquired.
Ross also travels to the coast of West Wales to meet Tracey and Dean Tweed who sold their home in Kent, and paid £625,000 to take over a zoo in Borth, then known as Britain’s worst, which they try to turn around.
Salcombe in Devon and Cambridgeshire are also visited by Ross in the final episode of the documentary.
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We are appealing for witnesses and dashcam footage after a collision caused serious injuries to a 23-year-old man.
Just before 3.30pm yesterday (2 July), we received reports of a collision on Barholm Road in Tallington. It involved a grey BMW 335D estate, a blue BMW 116D and an orange KTM motorcycle.
The motorcycle rider, a 23-year-old man, sustained serious injuries during the collision and was taken to hospital.
If you witnessed the incident and are yet to get in touch with us, please do so. If you have any other information or dashcam footage available that may have captured the road along the A1175 at the time of the collision, get in touch.
By calling 101 quoting incident 282 of 2 July.
By emailing [email protected] quoting incident 282 of 2 July in the subject line.
If you wish to remain anonymous, you can report via the independent charity CrimeStoppers on 0800 555 111 or online.
The 2022 Destination Lincolnshire Tourism Excellence Awards are open for applications, and Destination Lincolnshire giving you the rare chance to co-create your application with Nell Barrington, a tourism awards veteran, who has helped hundreds of businesses write winning applications over the last 15 years – including national VisitEngland winners.
The Tourism Awards Masterclass is taking place on Tuesday 12 July at 11am for one-hour online. Laura Freer, Head of Marketing at Destination Lincolnshire said: “This is a golden opportunity, after years of hard work and heartache, to get your business and team recognised and rewarded.
“A well written application is key to achieving a coveted place on this year’s shortlist, and I’d encourage all tourism and visitor economy businesses who are thinking of entering – whether they are seasoned at writing award applications or not – to join us for this exclusive masterclass.
“Nell Barrington has worked with us and VisitEngland on the founding application processes of these awards, and she is perfectly placed to assist in co-creating applications that you can be proud of. This is a great opportunity for business development too – whether you are shortlisted for an award or not – discovering how to effectively apply for awards and talk up your business adds another string to your bow.
“Booking is essential and places are limited to just 35 – so be quick! This year we’ve made our masterclass available to partners and also to those who we are yet to work with for free. Call it an added bonus, after two years away from the awards circuit.
The awards masterclass is focussed on the application process, and it will spell out what the judges are looking for. You’ll learn how to make your application stand out from the local competition, helping your chances of going through to the national VisitEngland Awards in 2023.”
There are fifteen categories open for nominations from visitors attraction, accommodation providers, hospitality businesses and many more.
The deadline for nominations is July 29, with online judging starting on July 30 and mystery shopping from August 13. Finalists will be announced on Monday, August 15.
The awards ceremony will be held at the Engine Shed on October 21, and will be hosted by Lincs FM presenter, John Marshall.
The event is organised by Stonebow Media, publishers of The Lincolnite, to celebrate the best businesses in Greater Lincolnshire, alongside headline sponsors Lincoln College and Destination Lincolnshire.
We would also like to thank our other sponsors Visit Lincolnshire, Heart of Lincs, Duncan and Toplis and LNER, insight6 and EV Camel.
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