The Perfect Pair Dolphin Trilogy Book Series Authors' Blog

THE PERFECT PAIR DOLPHIN TRILOGY PROUDLY PRESENTS CELEBRITY ENTREPRENEUR AND PHOTOGRAPHER JONATHAN STRAIGHT - SOUTH ELMSALL STORIES - THE DOLPHINARIUM

20/1/2022

Image © Jonathan Straight 2021

My name is Jonathan Straight. I am a Yorkshire-based photographic artist. I have been commissioned by Wakefield Museums and Castles to provide a body of work that is currently being shown in the South Elmsall museum hub which is based in the local library. The artwork interprets local stories and consists of video, photography and objects.

I wear many different hats - photographic artist is one. Despite the many pressures of other things I do, I like to complete at least one creative project each year and so I am always looking for interesting ideas to pursue.

In July 2021, a commission was advertised on a service called Curator Space. Each week an email comes with different opportunities for artists … This time, the post was from Wakefield Museums and Castles …

South Elmsall Stories - The Dolphinarium
(Originally published by Jonathan Straight on October 25th, 2021)www.facesofsouthelmsall.com/blog/post/south-elmsall-stories-the-dolphinarium

One of the strangest stories I had discovered about South Elmsall was that in the 1970s, a disused swimming baths on Westfield Lane was used for training dolphins. There was quite a bit of press coverage about this on-line which in turn led me to David Holroyd, a Mancunian who was a trainee dolphin trainer at the facility and went on to be head trainer at other dolphinaria.

David Capello: The stage name of David Holroyd.

I tracked David down and asked if he would speak to me. He kindly agreed and we scheduled an interview over Zoom. He explained how the pool in South Elmsall had come to be owned by someone local called John Nolan who was involved with filtration for swimming pools. When David was 17 years old, his mother had seen an advert in the Manchester Evening News to recruit dolphin presenters with the interviews being held at Belle Vue Zoo nearby. This would have been around 1969. David's mother pushed him to apply as an alternative to his work as a signwriter with his father.

Jonathan Straight with "David Capello".

After three interviews, David found himself on a shortlist of five, eventually getting the job and being posted to South Elmsall. He lodged with Joe and Ada Howes and fondly remembers Ada's Yorkshire cooking.

Initially, there were no dolphins in the pool, just a pair of penguins. Shortly afterwards, a sea lion called Bobby arrived. Bobby had been at Belle Vue when he attacked a spectator and so was sent away, being too valuable to be destroyed. David told me how he had formed a strong bond with Bobby, such that when a local miner came into the pool to loudly complain about David occupying his parking space, Bobby jumped out of the pool and chased this fellow away.

Click on link below to read the full award-winning story Deliver Us from Bobby!

The Perfect Pair Dolphin Trilogy Tasters

Eventually, the dolphins came and David trained them for various facilities around the UK such as Knowsley Safari Park and Woburn Abbey. Despite being hugely successful at his craft, David found the treatment of the dolphins to be unacceptable, significantly reducing their lifespan. Now in his 60s, he is an activist, campaigning to stop dolphins and other cetaceans being used for public displays.

The video footage I took of David forms part of this project. A life buoy ring he used to train dolphins in the 1970s, features as part of the exhibition in South Elmsall library museum hub.

"David Capello" pictured holding a dolphin logbook long since thought destroyed.
Watch the full Jonathan Straight interview.

Image © Jonathan Straight 2021

Comment by David C Holroyd, stage name David Capello.

Please forgive, Jonathan - it’s not often that I crash a guest blog, but I’m expecting a lot of interest in your tremendous exhibit, so just had to press my advantage!

“There’s nowt so strange as life!”

That phrase certainly rings true for me after being contacted by celebrity entrepreneur Jonathan Straight.

To this day, I vividly remember stepping off the train at South Elmsall station those many years ago; still fondly recall the touch of the cheery station master’s calloused hands as he greeted me. I met many smiling faces in South Elmsall, building fond memories that have stayed with me for over 50 years. Sadly, many of those faces have long since passed.

So, imagine just how bizarre it feels to find myself once again heading back to sunny South Elmsall, the place where my adventure began. However, on this occasion, where once stood a young wannabee dolphin trainer, now stands a committed activist fighting for the rights of captive cetaceans.

Indeed, there’s nowt so strange as life!

The importance of South Elmsall to UK dolphinaria cannot be underplayed. The training facility concealed in this small mining village once fuelled the boom of the 1970s UK aqua circus, sending many Atlantean performers to the glamorous venues that were springing up over swinging Britain. Make no mistake, this “secret” pool is indeed a hugely important part of South Elmsall’s history.

So, I want to thank Jonathan Straight and Wakefield Museums and Castles for giving the ill-fated South Elmsall dolphins a voice. I would also like to thank the former reporter Olivia Hale for her tremendous article, The worst kept secret in Pontefract – a story published by The Yorkshire Post, The Pontefract and Castleford Express and The Wakefield Express, amongst others.

And last, but not least, can I say a huge thank you to all those wonderful South Elmsall townsfolk who so moulded my memories.

Faces of South Elmsall Website

Dr Jonathan Straight FRSA (@planetstraight) / Twitter

Wakefield Museums & Castles (@WFMuseums) / Twitter

'The worst kept secret in Pontefract' - the Manchester-born dolphin trainer turned animal activist who trained dolphins, sea lions and penguins at a South Elmsall swimming pool | Yorkshire Post

'Cars stopped to watch the sea lion chase him up the street' - How Bobby the sea lion saved a South Elmsall dolphin trainer from a 'thumping' | Wakefield Express

10 Comments

Jonathan Straight link

21/1/2022 13:09:22

Thank you for sharing my story with your audience and for all of your help with this project.

Having been on the side of animals for many years myself, it is great to see the work you are doing first hand. I hope that this project serves to raise awareness further.

David and Tracy link

22/1/2022 10:35:53

It is we who should be thanking YOU, Jonathan! Your concept has validated the South Elmsall training facility and given David's precious Atlanteans a voice.

It has been a pleasure to meet and work with you, and we hope - if the fates allow - that one day we will be able to work with you again.

Thank you, Jonathan!

Tracey Ozdemir The Dolphin Lady

23/1/2022 20:17:55

Dolphin/Whale captivity is an issue that is a big topic today and it should not even exist in todays society. The main reason we still have these water hell hole's is due to lack of education and awareness.
David as an ex-trainer has all the information to expose the truth of what lies behind marine captivity, people need to listen and educate themselves.
Captivity is all about profits it is a supply and demand industry, captivity and slaughter go hand in hand. The dolphin drives in Taiji and the wild orca captures leave many dead be it through the drive/capture or through the slaughter then the good looking ones are chosen for peoples entertainment the rest are sold as a slab of toxic meat and put on the dinner plates of unaware innocent children in Japan. Those that are bred in captivity the cruelty does not bypass them either.
My footage of Morgan the orca beaching herself in Loro Parque Tenerife made global news headlines and profits dropped at SeaWorld because people could see the truth with their own eyes. Media coverage plays a huge part in ending it all. It is time the media played its roll and responsibility in protecting all sentient beings, we have all seen the news and reports on elephants and rhino, etc but there is never any focus on how the oceans survive and need our finned friends just as they need the ocean. It is all connected to the ecosystem, if our oceans die then we die too.
These marine parks have not one ounce of education in a show there is no natural behaviour just signs of stress, anxiety, depression, these small death pools they can only swim in circles till they die. They are replaced like goldfish, often the public are unaware that a dolphin will appear with the same namesake as their previous performing clown.
David has first hand experience and has so much to tell if only people would listen. We have to learn from our mistakes, We, Humans are at fault for accepting this. These sentient beings did not jump into the tanks, they are torn from their families they never forget and greive till their dying day. It is their birthright to feel the rythm of the ocean. Captivity is a death sentence. Imagine your child kept in a small bath tub on a diet of frozen fish fingers, not something most would want to imagine. People suffering with mental health issues because of covid lockdown, well they are in lockdown for life.
Captivity, Dolphin Assisted Therapy ( A scam) the list goes on and on. The media report animal cruelty be it an RSPCA story, fox hunting, elephant and rhino, a new arrival at a zoo.Our finned friends are in danger and suffer every day. But nothing on marine captivity/capture or slaughter is reported. We see the occasional report of a stranding.. It is time the world opened its eyes and ears. David works damn hard to right this wrong and has one hell of a story to tell, THE TRUTH, we need the media and the people to listen. People need to STOP buying tickets.

David and Tracy link

23/1/2022 21:57:32

Thank you for making comment, Tracey. As you know, we have asked you to write a blog for us on numerous occasions. Well, this is so well-written and so hits the mark that THIS IS, with your permission, our next blog.

All we need from you are the images you wish us to use.

Your support is unwavering, and without people such as you, we would never have had the strength to continue our fight - an agonising 13-year battle!

Nothing to add to your comment - you've said it all. Thank you again, Tracey - and thank you for all the work you do on behalf of our captive Atlanteans.

ReNay

24/1/2022 03:02:49

Tracey, Thank you for the years of educating me regarding the capture and kill of the dolphins in Taiji Japan. I will forever be grateful.
Thank you David for writing these books and putting the truth out there! I wish there was some way for you to travel the world and do talk shows on this horrific so called “Tradition “
I will never stop being a voice!
Thank you.

David and Tracy link

24/1/2022 22:39:56

Thank you, ReNay, for making comment and for your warm words about Tracey Ozdemir and ourselves. We totally agree that Tracey is a wonderful and committed activist!

As for us, we pride ourselves, when writing, on delivering not just an entertaining read, but also a true one - something that has now been validated by Jonathan Straight's terrific museum exhibit. Jonathan's exhibition gives the dolphins of South Elmsall a voice; a voice that echoes within the pages of our award-winning Perfect Pair Dolphin Trilogy.

As for David going on talks, a proposed UK tour was cancelled because of Covid. However, this is something David is itching to kick-start. So, if there are any entrepreneur activists out there who would like to support David's message against the aqua circus, he's only an email away.

Thank you again, ReNay!

Craig Nico

26/1/2022 14:26:34

FINALLY!!! What more can I say? THIS is the blog! The blog that is by far the most damaging and gut-wrenching to ALL those wolves in sheep’s clothing that have spent year upon year attempting to ruin David both personally and professionally; those who have dedicated time, money, resources and manpower, along with whatever other underhand, scandalous tactics to not only silence David’s truth but also prevent that truth from reaching advocates and non-advocates alike.
Case in point, The Perfect Pair Dolphin Trilogy, one of the most amazing tell-all exposés that has ever been published – a story that has been silenced for years. But now, with this amazing blog, with its equally amazing interview, everything David said is validated!
FANTASTIC!
What I love about David's interview is that you can feel his words. You can absolutely 1000% feel his passion, especially when talking about the sea lion Bobby and Duchess and Herb'e. That is something that can't be faked.
So, let me repeat myself: FANTASTIC!
I am so happy that David’s story is validated to the fullest extent, where the proof that has been so long denied by self-professed experts is now on exhibit in South Elmsall museum hub. What more can any genuine activist ask for?
I don't mean to sound repetitious, but this is really, really HUGE! A really big deal for many reasons. To quote David Holroyd (aka David Capello): "The importance of South Elmsall to UK dolphinaria cannot be underplayed." This is where it all happened. Thank God the "secret training pool" has finally come to light, and thank you celebrity entrepreneur and photographer, Jonathan Straight, for going where many fear to tread and allowing that truth to come out. More importantly, the truth is out there for thousands upon thousands to see, read, watch and listen. Evidence on display in a museum can't be refuted. All which was denied years ago is now proven! Quite extraordinary!
Another reason why this is such a big deal is that David’s testimony can and will affect the future. Yet, as monumental as this exhibit is, we have to aim higher - we have to promote this news so that it reaches the USA and spreads to every State. We need to share, promote and make comment to reach enough US citizens so that unsuspecting families, who might buy tickets to dolphinaria, will take a step back.
We already know the advocates will, which is a plus. But it’s imperative that we get David’s message out to non-advocates. It is really sad that this abuse still happens today. What's just as sad is the fact that people donate money to organizations that on the surface look like animal advocates, but whose primary goal, ultimately, is the exact opposite. When you donate money to crooked organizations that pocket it for their own illicit gain, it is the dolphins who pay the ultimate price.
To close, I would definitely like to thank David for his unrelenting passion and drive in exposing the truth. This amazing blog, with its equally amazing interview, shows how the journey of you and your precious dolphins began early in the 1970s. What you have done since then, from start to finish, earns deep respect.
Thank you, David, for never wavering in the face of all the adversity that has been thrown your away. Thank you for everything.

David and Tracy link

26/1/2022 16:45:01

Thank you for yet another impassioned and insightful blog comment, Nico. Once more you have hit the proverbial nail on the head. How right you are to describe this recognition as huge, because, after a 13-year battle, for me, it is! Jonathan Straight's exhibit has given the ill-fated dolphins of South Elmsall a voice - a voice to not only shine a light into the past, but also the future.

Although dolphinaria are now defunct in the UK, the public needs to remember that they are not banned, and could make a return if enough money is ploughed into the venues - something we must never allow to happen.

Captive facilities are still thriving in the USA and Asia, with venues springing up at an alarming rate. And for those who love dolphin shows, and who insist that dolphinaria are not the same today as they were in my day, my answer is:

RUBBISH! The aqua circus ethos has not changed in over 50 years. If anything, it's got worse. So, don't believe the glitz and propaganda spewed out by global venues, nor the images of happy, smiling dolphins they push, because they're a lie! The owners of these venues neglect to say that all their Atlantean performers die at an early age, and virtually all suffer with deep psychological problems. Little wonder. How would you feel if you were doomed to live out your days in a concrete box?

So, could we urge all holidaymakers NOT to visit any captive cetacean facility - and that includes swim-with-dolphins programmes. Your money is feeding their misery and abuse.

Love dolphins? Then, don't buy a ticket!

June Bird

28/7/2022 20:15:31

I’m the founder of Seaworld Shut Down on Facebook and @seaworldisevil on Twitter and I applaud this incredible work that’s you’re doing to highlight the cruel plight of dolphins in captivity.
Thank you so much and just know that you are opening hearts and minds and the future is bright.

David and Tracy link

29/7/2022 10:02:03

An uplifting message, June! We know how much work you have done over decades to help and protect not just cetaceans but all animals globally.

This exhibit authenticates David's story and reaches a whole new audience - the non-activist community who would unwittingly visit a captive cetacean facility. And we have good news! Such is the exhibition's popularity, it has been extended for another year.

Thank you for your endorsement. It means a lot coming from an inspirational activist such as you!