Donkey Dave was a real old-fashioned eccentric and an outspoken northern character. Philip Allott gives us a unique insight into the strange world of his fathers life and business.

The Author

Philip Allott was born in 1959 and was educated at King James's School, Knaresborough, and later as a part-time mature student at Leeds Metropolitan University, whilst also launching his own public relations company, where he attained a 2.1 degree in law.

At the age of 25 he became the youngest Mayor of Knaresborough and was also a senior councillor and chaired a number of committees on Harrogate Borough Council for a number of years. In 1994 he established his own business, a public relations and marketing company, based in Knaresborough which now has a client base spanning the UK, Paris, Germany and Italy.
He has contested three Parliamentary general elections, in Leeds, London and Bolton. In 2005 he got within 2,064 votes of getting elected.
Philip takes a keen interest in history and is a regular contributor to a number of newspapers and specialist magazines.
Married with two children, Philip still lives within the Knaresborough community.


 

Image"A splendid evocation ...
Animal lovers and historians
alike will just adore it"
- MP Ann Widdecombe

Unique insights into the strange world of the donkey business - from breeding to racing. A time capsule of a bygone era, with donkey rides at sixpence a time and donkey derbies that raised thousands of pounds for charities

ImageAppeals both to those who love animals, and to everybody with an interest in local history

Written by his eldest son Philip, Yorkshire businessman and youngest Mayor ofKnaresborough from 1985 to 1986