Re: Scenic Railway in Margate news
On Saturday 16th November 2013, Dreamland opened its gates for the first time in eight years.
The purpose of the opening was to allow the people of Margate and those who have an interest to view the site, the plans for the redevelopment and meet the people behind the project.
Nic and I (and her parents) were there for the opening at 12 midday.
A crowd of about 400 people turned up! Enough to fill several double deckers and if everybody led head to toe, it would stretch from John O'Groats to Land's End...and back again! Ok, not really but you know how these events are always over-exaggerated by the media. After a short speech by, the gates opened and everybody lurched forward. As they could only allow about 70 in at a time, there was a bit of a wait much to the man-with-megaphone's annoyance. "GET BACK!!" It was like people on the Titanic clambering for a lifeboat. People were that desperate to get in.
Eventually we got in and it the state of cosmetic disrepair was evident. Dilapidated buildings, weeds had over group, paint was pealing off the walls. It was, as expected, a building site.
All of the facades will be tarted up.
New restaurants and family entertainment such as a roller disco, drive-in cinema will open at Dreamland. We were told that they want to build a bandstand so members of the community can come and busk for money and so bands can hold intimate gigs.
15 rides are planned to open at Dreamland in 2015. Most of them are reclaimed, refurbished and traditional rides. Several come from Pleasureland Southport. The Whip is from Blackpool Pleasure Beach which was removed in 2008. The cars were on show.
Jan Leandro, the parks Heritage & Engagement Manager, informed us that several rides from the Bembon Brothers era will also make an appearance.
Most of the rides will be situated on the land that was inaccessible during the day.
The three remaining quarters of the Scenic Railway cut a domineering shadow over the park. It's all fenced off to protect it's Grade II listed status. It will be rebuilt for the park's reopening in 2015. If the plans are stuck to, it will have an glass-sided workshop where visitors can see behind the scenes. The whole "bringing the park back to the people" theme is very important to the Dreamland Trust.
I recognised the tree/wall feature that was used as a backdrop for CF's "Save The Scenic" documentary.
The video is ancient now but if you want to see it, it's here:
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MnesIm6gNE8[/youtube]
Dotted about the place on tables were the future plans. It was very hands on and informal.
Other stuff happening on the day included a "Bubble Flash Mob" where everybody was given bubbles to blow at 1pm, a (presumably) local band were playing, you could "Sow Your Seed for Dreamland" (that's my term, there's was less crude) where you potted a plant cutting, took it home and then bring it back in 2015 to help landscape the park and there was also a competition for the person who was best dressed...I don't think this person stood a chance
On the way out, there was an opportunity to scribble a message on the wall. With her tongue hanging out in deep concentration, Nic grabbed a crayon and scribbled...
To be honest, my interest in Dreamland virtually diminished after the closure. It seemed like it would never reopen. However, after visiting on Saturday and seeing what it means to the community and those involved with the Dreamland Trust, I'm excited. Ok, so it's not going to have a B&M Hyper coaster or a some new, fancy plastic animated dark ride, but it will have plenty of character. It's endearing to see a traditional British seaside park rise from the arson ashes and remain true to it's heritage. I'm looking forward to visiting on opening day 2015.
Plans and information about the rides, the park and the Dreamland Trust's campaign can be found here: http://www.dreamlandmargate.com
On Saturday 16th November 2013, Dreamland opened its gates for the first time in eight years.
The purpose of the opening was to allow the people of Margate and those who have an interest to view the site, the plans for the redevelopment and meet the people behind the project.
Nic and I (and her parents) were there for the opening at 12 midday.
A crowd of about 400 people turned up! Enough to fill several double deckers and if everybody led head to toe, it would stretch from John O'Groats to Land's End...and back again! Ok, not really but you know how these events are always over-exaggerated by the media. After a short speech by, the gates opened and everybody lurched forward. As they could only allow about 70 in at a time, there was a bit of a wait much to the man-with-megaphone's annoyance. "GET BACK!!" It was like people on the Titanic clambering for a lifeboat. People were that desperate to get in.
Eventually we got in and it the state of cosmetic disrepair was evident. Dilapidated buildings, weeds had over group, paint was pealing off the walls. It was, as expected, a building site.
All of the facades will be tarted up.
New restaurants and family entertainment such as a roller disco, drive-in cinema will open at Dreamland. We were told that they want to build a bandstand so members of the community can come and busk for money and so bands can hold intimate gigs.
15 rides are planned to open at Dreamland in 2015. Most of them are reclaimed, refurbished and traditional rides. Several come from Pleasureland Southport. The Whip is from Blackpool Pleasure Beach which was removed in 2008. The cars were on show.
Jan Leandro, the parks Heritage & Engagement Manager, informed us that several rides from the Bembon Brothers era will also make an appearance.
Most of the rides will be situated on the land that was inaccessible during the day.
The three remaining quarters of the Scenic Railway cut a domineering shadow over the park. It's all fenced off to protect it's Grade II listed status. It will be rebuilt for the park's reopening in 2015. If the plans are stuck to, it will have an glass-sided workshop where visitors can see behind the scenes. The whole "bringing the park back to the people" theme is very important to the Dreamland Trust.
I recognised the tree/wall feature that was used as a backdrop for CF's "Save The Scenic" documentary.
The video is ancient now but if you want to see it, it's here:
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MnesIm6gNE8[/youtube]
Dotted about the place on tables were the future plans. It was very hands on and informal.
Other stuff happening on the day included a "Bubble Flash Mob" where everybody was given bubbles to blow at 1pm, a (presumably) local band were playing, you could "Sow Your Seed for Dreamland" (that's my term, there's was less crude) where you potted a plant cutting, took it home and then bring it back in 2015 to help landscape the park and there was also a competition for the person who was best dressed...I don't think this person stood a chance
On the way out, there was an opportunity to scribble a message on the wall. With her tongue hanging out in deep concentration, Nic grabbed a crayon and scribbled...
To be honest, my interest in Dreamland virtually diminished after the closure. It seemed like it would never reopen. However, after visiting on Saturday and seeing what it means to the community and those involved with the Dreamland Trust, I'm excited. Ok, so it's not going to have a B&M Hyper coaster or a some new, fancy plastic animated dark ride, but it will have plenty of character. It's endearing to see a traditional British seaside park rise from the arson ashes and remain true to it's heritage. I'm looking forward to visiting on opening day 2015.
Plans and information about the rides, the park and the Dreamland Trust's campaign can be found here: http://www.dreamlandmargate.com
