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ONE BRIGHT SPOT: SOUTHEND'S KURSAAL (PAGE 2)
Photographs: from the book 'Kursaal Memories' by Ken Crowe
 Article: Originally published by Joyland Books from 19 May 2003 to 31 July 2003

The Kursaal under Trustees


With the removal of the football ground in 1934, the way was open for the introduction of the Kursaal’s largest ride, the Cyclone roller coaster. It came to Southend direct from the Brussels exhibition.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


 

 

During the Second World War the Kursaal was closed to the public. The Water Chute basin was tarred to ensure it was watertight, and was to be used as a reserve water supply.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


Howard Baker was the resident band leader in the Kursaal ballroom from shortly before the Second World War until 1967. His “Old Time Band” played on Monday evenings, while modern dance music was played on Wednesdays and Saturdays.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A new ride for the opening of the Kursaal after the war was the enormous Stratosphere Rocket ride. This photograph is dated 1945.

C.J. Morehouse (the second) 1948-1973
An aerial view of the Kursaal taken in the late 1940s. The late 1940s and 1950s were the heyday of the Kursaal, with the park at its greatest extent. The largest ride by far can be seen on the left of the photograph - the Cyclone roller coaster.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


 The Arcade was a favourite with the crowds who would be encouraged to try to win the many prizes that were on offer in the shooting ranges, darts stalls and many others.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tornado Smith was the most famous of all the Wall of Death riders. Here we see him revving his bike up on the rollers outside the Wall. This was done principally to attract custom. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Dive Bomber was a fairly short-lived ride in the Kursaal. It is known to have been in the grounds in the early 1950s, but had been removed before 1960. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Whirpools in the Kursaal gardens, photographed in the 1950s.

An era ends, another begins
The owners and tenants were asked to remove their rides and stalls, and the whole grounds presented, in 1973-4 a picture of forlorn desolation. A small area near to the Kursaal buildings was all that remained of the fairground.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In 1973 the decision was taken to close the Kursaal grounds. Visitor figures had been declining since the mid 1960s, as holidays to new and further destinations became available.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By the early 1990s, the damage done to the buildings by neglect was such that much of the original structure had to be demolished.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In the new Millennium the Kursaal buildings live again. Of course, the Kursaal Gardens - the amusement park - can never be recreated, but at least the buildings live on for another generation.

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More on Southend's Kursaal
Kursaal Memories: A History of Southend's Amusement Park by Ken Crowe
The Launch of Kursaal Memories in 2003
By its Dome it's Known: The Story of the Kursaal Amusement Park and Gardens DVD
Southend Memories DVD
The Kursaal: Official Website
 

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