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The Save
Dreamland Campaign is marking the last weekend of Dreamland with
a special evening event at the Scenic Railway, the park’s Grade
II listed wooden roller coaster, and large numbers of
campaigners are expected to attend.
Dreamland
closed for what as thought to be the last time in October 2003,
but it won a brief reprieve for eight weeks in 2004, when
showman David Wallis stepped in to operate the park for the
summer 2004 season. The park is now believed to be closing for
the last time – unless it can be saved!
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Picture: courtesy of
www.joylandbooks.co.uk |
The Save Dreamland Campaign was launched in 2003 to save the
Dreamland Pleasure Park, Margate, home of the UK’s
oldest roller coaster, the 84-year-old listed Scenic Railway.
Dreamland’s owner proposes to replace the park with a
supermarket, shops and casino. The Campaign is lead by
planning expert Nick Laister, a leading authority on
amusement parks, planning consultant and editor of
www.joylandbooks.com,
the specialist amusement park bookstore.
The Campaign is now speaking on behalf of 13,000 people,
including local residents, businesses and organisations such
as the Margate Historical Society, Margate Civic Society,
the Margate Hotel and Guest House Association, European
Coaster Club, Roller Coaster Club of Great Britain and SAVE
Britain’s Heritage.
The official campaign website is
www.savedreamland.co.uk .
The campaign can
be emailed at campaign@savedreamland.co.uk .
The address for all
correspondence is
Save Dreamland Campaign,
The Shell Grotto,
Grotto Hill,
Margate, Kent CT9 2BU.
Nick Laister BA (Hons) DipTP MRTPI MIHT MIPI is a leading authority on UK
amusement parks and editor of the web site
www.joylandbooks.com.
Dreamland Pleasure Park is located at Belgrave Road, Margate. The telephone
number is 01843 227011.
More details at the Campaign website:
www.savedreamland.co.uk
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Save Dreamland Campaign Leader, Nick Laister, says: “This evening will be a
mixture of sadness and celebration. Of course, it is sad to see the park
close, but we are confident that one of the theme park operators that want
to acquire Dreamland will eventually succeed in their bid, and there will be
a bigger and better Dreamland in the near future. This fun-packed evening
will be a chance for anybody who cares about Dreamland’s future to come
together and ride the park’s signature attraction.”
Dreamland owner Jimmy Godden announced in January 2003 that the park would
close. Several theme park operators - including Southend’s massively
successful Adventure Island Theme Park – have publicly stated that they
believe the park to be viable and have made offers to acquire it. Adventure
Island has made a commitment to spend £10m on new rides and attractions at
the park, and will restore the famous Scenic Railway to its former glory.
The one-and-only Scenic Railway will be running on the evening of Saturday 4
September, from 7pm to midnight – giving visitors the rare chance to ride in
the dark and appreciate the beauty of the Scenic by night, all lit up and
evoking memories of the Magic Gardens.
Keen riders can purchase a £10 ticket
that will allow unlimited rides during this time. To book your ticket, or
for further information, email the Save Dreamland Campaign at the following
email address: sarah@savedreamland.co.uk. All are welcome to join us.
For those who don’t want to spend the whole evening riding the Scenic
Railway, single ride tickets will be available at the bargain price of £1 a
go – it’s the best quid you’ll ever spend! The Campaign is also hoping to
provide food, drink and entertainment on the night, weather permitting. More
details of the event will be posted on the Save Dreamland website
(www.savedreamland.co.uk) over the coming days.
Local Campaign Coordinator, Sarah Vickery, says: “Come along, have some fun,
share your memories – and your grand plans for the park’s future! – and meet
fellow campaigners. But remember – it’s not goodbye, only au revoir!”
Additional information about Dreamland Pleasure Park and
the Save Dreamland Campaign
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http://www.joylandbooks.co.uk/scenicrailway/index.htm
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http://uk.geocities.com/theme_parks02/dreamland.htm
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http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/kent/3234813.stm
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http://www.joylandbooks.com/scenicrailway/links.htm
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