Donkey rides were a great feature on the beach in the 1950s. The donkeys were all very docile and good tempered, and we never heard of any child getting hurt
The donkeys were kept by the “donkey man” on Withell’s Island, a reserve at the corner of Union and Rodney Streets named for a former owner Charles Withell (1832-1916). A well known New Brighton Resident, the late Pauline Sealey is pictured wearing the floppy sun hat. Every day the donkeys were walked to the beach, and then back to Withell’s Island at night, where the local neighbourhood children would feed them treats, and get a free ride. I lived over the road in Owles Terrace, and we eagerly awaited their return in the evenings, because we could brush and care for them . We knew them all by name.
They were a very popular attraction at the beach in the summer time.