In  January 2003 the owner of Dreamland, Jimmy Godden, announced the closure of Dreamland. The park is to be redeveloped as "leisure boxes, some retail and a supermarket". Joyland Books will provide updates on the campaign to save Dreamland and its internationally-important Scenic Railway ride.

Click here for the latest news

Sunday, 25 November 2007

An update on our appeal for funds for moving the Rhyl Water Chute to Thanet. Campaign Coordinator, Sarah Vickery, has left the following message on the Save Dreamland Campaign Forum:

"So far we've raised £1000.50, which is fantastic; huge thanks to all of you who have contributed.

We're still awaiting a couple of bills, so don't yet know exactly how much this endeavour is going to cost us. However, we're expecting it to be a bit less than the £2000 originally quoted thanks to the kindness of our contractors.

As long as I have an email address to write to, I am acknowledging all donations as they arrive. If you have sent a cheque and haven't heard from me, it's because it's not here yet.

If anyone else would like to donate, but can't remember where the cheque book is, email me at sarah@savedreamland.co.uk and I'll send you Paypal details. I'm covering all Paypal fees as part of my donation, so everything you give this way goes straight to the fund.

Thanks again everyone."

And if you want to find out more about the history of the Rhyl Water Chute, click here for an article about the demolition of the identical water chute at Blackpool Pleasure Beach on Gary Radice's themagiceye. The article includes a general history of water chutes by Save Dreamland Campaign Leader Nick Laister. Read the article...

Finally, a few news items to catch up with. The Thanet Times on 6 November featured much coverage of the final closure of the Dreamland Cinema.

The Isle of Thanet Gazette of 9 November also had extensive coverage.

And from the Thanet Times on 20 November, with more than one person proposing that the Turner Gallery be located in the disused Dreamland Cinema building.

Friday, 9 November 2007

A new book released by English Heritage features Margate extensively. England's Seaside Resort by Allan Brodie and Gary Winter, which celebrates some of England's favourite holiday destinations, even includes a section on fairgrounds featuring a well-known listed roller coaster. Click here for more details of the book. And if you want to find out more about the Water Chute that was rescued from Rhyl's Ocean Beach Fun Fair last month by the Save Dreamland Campaign for potential use in the proposed Heritage Amusement Park at Dreamland, an article on the history of these unique (and now completely extinct) rides has been added to amusement park history website Gary Radice's themagiceye. This website also includes photographs of the demolition of the Rhyl chute.

Saturday, 3 November 2007

We are pleased to report that the mechanical parts of the Rhyl Water Chute have now safely arrived in Thanet. They are being stored in an undisclosed location on the Isle. The boats, motors and gears were unloaded by Dave Collard and Simon Goodenough, with the help of Thanet District Council. Here are some photographs of the Water Chute being unloaded and placed in storage:

Simon Goodenough as the trailer arrives. Dave Collard poses in front of the Water Chute boats. The first boat is lifted from the trailer. The motors and other mechanical parts salvaged from Rhyl. The main Water Chute motor. Simon and the Water Chute parts. Dave Collard wants to be the last person to 'ride' the Chute... ...but that honour goes to Simon!

Click here for the latest news

Return to Save Dreamland

Return to Joyland Books: for the biggest selection of amusement park books on the Web!