Memories

[crazybecksalini]

Hi all,

I'm new to this site/campaign so excuse me if I end up repeating something you've already discussed like a million times!

I just felt I should share some things with you. Things which came in to my mind last night when I was lucky enough to finally meet up with my very good friend 'Hairy Vince' (he's so busy with work and the Save Dreamland Campaign that I hardly ever get to see him anymore, even though we've known each other for about 14 years!)

Anyway - to cut a long story short, I've been aware for sometime that Vince was involved with this campaign, but I've never given it much thought. I'm always too busy making packed lunches, washing school uniforms, doing the school run and all the other mundane things we do when we become Mummies!! It was only when I sat and thought about it last night that I became very anxious for my childen. I want them to experience as many wonderful things in life as they possibly can, and to enjoy the things that I did when I was younger.

One story from my younger days revolves around Dreamland and I will never forget it. I had a very over protective mum who was scared to let me out of her sight for even a few minutes, but at the grand old age of 16 she eventually agreed that I could have a day out at the seaside with my friends. There were four of us in total and I can remember the feeling of pure excitement as we made our way to Gillingham Train Station to catch the train to Margate. It seemed such a long journey and felt like we were going on holiday to some far away magical place. When we neared Margate, we were glued to the windows, drinking in the scenery as though it was a foreign land - and then we saw the big wheel - oh wow, what a sight that was. As we drew closer we saw the other rides in more detail and we literally scrambled off the train to get the rides. (train ticket and admission to the park inclusive offer - genius!!) It was without doubt one of the most wonderful days of my youth. There seemed to be something so profound about that day, as though every second meant something - this was what it was all finally about. Fun and happiness and good friendship. The sun shone and we laughed. The day seemed to last forever and we all made memories that day which would last us a lifetime.

I want my children to experience this for themselves. I am very upset at the thought of no longer having Dreamland in my life. It would be the end of a very happy era - and I think a lot of people (including myself) would probably grieve for the wonderful times they had at the park. I know it sounds a bit drastic, but I can't actually imagine going to Margate if Dreamland wasn't there.

I have been to Margate so many times since that wonderful day, and both my children love it there. (they are 5 & 7 and already love the Scenic Railway!) Even when we've have had family days out at Margate with my husband's family, and the plan is to stay on the beach all day and just relax, something ALWAYS draws us in to Dreamland and the day is ALWAYS much better for it. I've also had days at Dreamland with friends fairly recently and let me tell you now, we may be nearly 30 but we still run around like nutters, go on all the rides - and feel like we are still 16!!! The fun hasn't changed even if we have.

Margate wouldn't be Margate without Dreamland

[vince69619]

Hi, and thanks for joining us.

Just to confuse you, there are three Vince's on the forum! I am probably the least hairy!

Your posting agrees with the stance that most of us have, and that is Dreamland is what tourists think of and Margate is where it is. So tourists are not going to be going to Margate in anything like the numbers they might, if Dreamland is not there!

Vince.

[Neil]

I have been to Margate so many times since that wonderful day, and both my children love it there. (they are 5 & 7 and already love the Scenic Railway!)

Hi, and welcome to the forum, your experiences are ones that I'm sure many of us relate to.

In regard to the point I've quotted, have they dropped the rule that you have to be ten to ride? I remember visiting when I was ten, but having no proof of age the breakman wouldn't let me ride. It's great for your children that they are being allowed to ride so young. It seemed a bit of a silly rule considering I was allowed to ride white knuckle rides that go upside down at places like Drayton Manor and Alton Towers.

[crazybecksalini]

Hello and thanks for replying to me.

I'm not sure what the age restriction is, but they certainly didn't seem to mind letting the children on! My husband and I are of course safety concious, and always observe rules to the letter where the children are concearned (keeping hands on safety rail at all times, seatbelt and lap bar being used etc etc...) but being avid coaster fans ourselves, I guess it was only reasonable to expect that any children we had would be the same! Josh & Phoebe (my children) rode the scenic railway twice on our last visit and Phoebe's squeals of pure happiness were by far the loudest on the coaster!

She's definitely my daughter LOL!!!

[dave771]

The restrictions in the Bembom years were an adult must accompany a child under the age of ten. Since Mr Godden took over the park the restriction is that any child under four feet in height must be accompanied by an adult and as far as im aware this is still the case.

Dave

[Chris H]

Having to measure them up on that same old stick.

You will Know what i mean Dave

P.S my E-mail isn't working

[Hairy Vince]

Hey the Beckster is on the Forum!! Lovely to see you here!!

Health and Safety (your husband knows about that) is vital, but so are childhood memories!

Think this shows once again, there are literally millions of people with individual memories like this. There are people wanting to finance a refurbished dreamland. Why are the council being so stupid to not listen to reason (so far)

PS Don't forget if you come to the Dreamland Disco, you can see Becks's new "Little Brown Bag"!!!!

PPS Don't forget to come to the Dreamland Disco 29th April!!

[nicola]

Hi crazybecksalina,

We don't want dreamland to go I remember going as a youngster,
and it was fun they were the days. Margate wouldn't be the same without it I agree there.

I am Vince's wife nicola by the way so welcome.


Nicola..

[Jim Douglas Jr.]

Welcome!

I think it's perfectly OK to be, um, almost 30, and still running around.
30's a little young to be sitting in a rocking chair with a shawl on remembering the good ol' days. LOL!

[crazybecksalini]

I'd love to get five minutes to sit in a rocking chair with a shawl.... (in fact, I'd probably go the whole hog and smoke a pipe too!) But alas, I'm too busy being forced to play Transformers and My Little Pony!

Quick hello to Nicola (and everyone who has said hi - thanks for being so friendly!)

I like to think that in the (hopefully) not too distant future, we can all have a wonderful day out together in 'our Dreamland' and put some faces to names!

Keep up the good work guys (if you need any help, don't hesitate to let me know - I will proudly wear a Dreamland T-Shirt and badger people in to signing petition after petition if nescessary!!)

Bye for now

[Zoidstar]

Spoke to a mate about dreamland he only remberd visiting once on a school trip back in the Benbons days mid-late 80's

Anyway what made the day memroble was the fact he was as sick as a dog on the Coater and to top it off a bird scored a double dirct hit one on toip of his head and a second helping on his blazer!

[Jim Douglas Jr.]

Charming.

[DaveD]

Hey Mrs Becks, that's a very well written and superbly atmospheric post. Good work matey.

That's almost exactly the way I remember it - pulling into Margate station with loads of people getting off the train and see the top part of The Looping Star and The Big Wheel in the distance. Long, hazy summery days.


Dave D

[DN]

Some of my favourite childhoom memories revolve aroung going to "Bemboms"

Like the days when we would all get off the bus, run down from cecil Square at hlf nine thinking we would be early enough to get in front of the queue at the main entrance only for it to be packed, when the queue for the Lopoing Star stretched along the back of the Scenic Railway, the opening of the Apollo 14 ride and the "sign your name on the moon" contest, Bembom Gold Cards, where you got tokens and free admission on your fourth visit. My baseball cap flying off on the Water Chute and the ride ip going into the pool to get it and falling over, the ladybird making that whistling noise, the couple of years only half the Astroglide worked, moving the Hanseatic from its original spot to in front of the Big Wheel and it suddenly being much more higher and scarier, the one year the Wave Swinger was there, the Scenic Railway being painted from red to blue, the River Caves, the Sphinx (pre mirrors), the soldier statues in between the ladybird and on the Scenic, the River Cave tubs made into flower beds on the Scenic, the cottage building behind the scenic, the Meteor, being told off for rocking the cars on the Melody Swings, the Mary Rose, the Mary Rose all lit up at night, the "beep" horn noise that signalled the start of the looping Star, as well as the Enterprise, hearing the Enterprise from my sisters house at Clifton Road, revamping the Apollo into The Heatwave and it not opening until gone 4pm on opening day of the new season and me being the first person on it and getting 4 free tickets, oh and McBemboms Burger bar !!

Memories like this that i have, as well as many of my friends, go to show what a great place it is, and frankly i feel sorry for the youth of Thanet and around the area today, as they have nothing like this to go to round here.

[Jim Douglas Jr.]

It would be cool if we could amass a nice collection of vintage photos of folks at Dreamland.
I know the book has some, but a big collection might be a good public awareness tool. An emotional weapon of sorts.