I'm Excited :)

[ripnet]

Hi,

Just read the list of rides that you guys have already rescued.. its looking great... im especially happy that you snagged the wooden wild mouse from southport... little did I know when I rode it a few years back that it was for the chop

The cableway and dark rides also look cool, and id really love to go on the water chute again... if you get all those going, dreamland will be well back up to the mid 80's high point again (or just a looping star away from it!!)... im sure ill be making many more trips to Thanet (from London) once this is all done.

Many thanks to Nick and the team for making this happen... to be honest id lost hope when the scenic burnt down last year (on my birthday no less... sob!), but you actually have the rides needed to do this...

Lets just hope that there are no further arson attacks on the scenic - i wanted to leave a bunch of flowers by it when I came down to margate a few weeks ago, but my gf woudlnt let me lol


g

[Vince, Charlie and Sam]

I think it is fair to say that things are looking far more positive for Dreamland than they were a year ago, and are looking more and more positive by the day. British seaside resorts are rammed full of people spending money at the moment and it looks like the trend is set to continue. Have you seen Southend lately?

Cars still queue from beyond Birchington every weekend to get to Margate. After such a long journey it's a shame all those people can't find anything to spend their money on and have to take it home.


Still, the Turner Centre should save us. We only need 1100 visitors a day, 365 days a year, and we can afford to pay the interest!

[EAS]

The big problem at the moment is that although the plans are in place and the business plan etc all done, all agencies are working together, there is a small matter of several million quid to consider.

So the applications for grants and funding have to be made, and it's heartstopping finger crossing time... for while we know we have a great case, it's a wonderful scheme, and there have been many positive noises, there will be many other worthy applicants seeking cash from pots depleted by such unimportant things as the Olympics. Some will be disappointed.

I do know of others who have applied for funding and supported that with letters of support etc from local community and well-wishers.

I wonder if we should be doing the same?

[Vince, Charlie and Sam]

It is true that we do not have the money to buy the Dreamland site but it is equally true that Jimmy Godden's fortune is slipping behind by the day.

[EAS]

The building of the amusement park and repair of the cinema won't be a small sum, and grant applications have to be made soon...

[EAS]

News page:

Dreamland development depends on bid for funding
Work could begin on Dreamland’s revival by the end of the year if a multimillion-pound bid for funding is successful. Meetings have been held this week to thrash out the final details of the applications to be submitted in April. Dreamland Trust treasurer Sarah Vickery is seeking the windfall from regeneration body Sea Change and the Heritage Lottery fund, with a decision expected by September. The Shell Grotto owner says it will cost £23 million to turn the site into an amusement park and its cinema into a music venue. Ms Vickery said the trust is bidding for less than £10 million; if Dreamland’s owners can stump up the rest, the park could open by Easter 2012.

[Xtremecoasters]

Hey ripnet. Dont know if you know, but the Looping Star from Bembom Brothers is up for sale again !!

http://www.fab.lu/index.php?id=74&L=2&tx_ttnews[cat]=21&tx_ttnews[pointer]=1&tx_ttnews[tt_news]=49&tx_ttnews[backPid]=73&cHash=b40c8662d2

Being the first full circuit looping coaster in Europe, would this be historic enough to return to the park? It would make a fantastic addition, and give the park a real killer app coaster again, along with the Scenic

[AJ]

And it looks like Dreamlands later replacement is up for sale as well.

http://www.fab.lu/index.php?id=74&L=2&tx_ttnews[cat]=21&tx_ttnews[pointer]=1&tx_ttnews[tt_news]=48&tx_ttnews[backPid]=73&cHash=935cc41a2e

Wonder what Loudoun Castle have in store if they are looking to off load the Silverarrow. Looks like another Schwarzkopf could be disappearing

Edit: Just found this as well, seems Loudoun have the 4 Man Bob up for sale that they have had in storage since 2007 (the one fromAlton Towers).

http://www.fab.lu/index.php?id=74&L=2&tx_ttnews[cat]=21&tx_ttnews[pointer]=1&tx_ttnews[tt_news]=50&tx_ttnews[backPid]=73&cHash=30ffbab00a

[DN]

Oh my, the original Looping STar would be lovel wouldnt it ? I find it sad that the Schwarzkopf coasters are disappearing, for me you cant get any better.

And i am also VERY excited about the plans for Dreamland and its future, things are looking good!

[richreeve]

Folkestone invented JG, he was born in Hythe, Schooled in Hythe and began his career as a developer in Folkestone. Now we have a JGII in the form of De Haan.

£20 million in grants to turn Folkestone into a centre for the arts, created about four jobs and turned visitors away. Then there was the Master Plan, now we have Master Plan II. Master Plan I consisted of tearing down the seafront. Master Plan II, Leave the seafront as it is until I can think of something. Still it keeps the tourists away and can park.

I think there are many in Folkestone who wish JG was back, they may not have agreed with what he wanted to do but at least he got on with it and it gave us something to complain about, an interest in life.

Friends of Folkestone Leas Lift http://www.folkestone-leas-lifts.com

[Vince, Charlie and Sam]

I think there are many in Folkestone who wish JG was back,

Well, Folkestone is welcome to him!