Joyland Books

Hey all,
Never been to Preston before and I'm gathering the nearest train station is one of Canturbury or Minster. Would love it if someone could give me more information on traveling their by train or other public transport.

Thankz Ian

Hello everybody! We would have loved to have come along for this event, unfortunately we are in Ireland that weekend for a family wedding. I'm sure the day will go brilliantly and Dreamland's profile will be raised even further. We have visited Dreamland and had a good time but it is a little expensive, but we still need to support it. We will be back in August.

Preston is a lovely little village, and the Rally is in a gorgeous spot. The downside of that is it's a few miles from the nearest train station!

I had thought about laying on a little minibus, perhaps from Margate. Not sure if there would be enough demand for it though, with our members being spread out all over the place.

If anyone would be interested in this option, let me know and I'll look into it. Alternatively, maybe we can get some car sharing going? Sadly, me and Dave will be heading over at the crack of dawn on both days with a car full of gazebo!

Sarah

well as yet not to sure which day i'm going on yet will have to wait until next weeks schedule is up at work but i was thinking of along the lines of getting a train then a taxi to the place.

We went a couple of years ago, and its a brilliant day out.

The only trouble is that its a bit isolated. No problem for us, because we'll be driving there in the Rolls Canardly.

But a problem for anyone without personal transport. At similar events, I have known the organisers to run a free vintage bus shuttle service from the nearest railway station, and I think maybe the organisers might consider this for the future.

I'm probably going early afternoon on saturday (I'll be away at work until late friday/saturday morning) but if I'm able to give anyone a lift there, then I'll do that- I'll post again about this nearer the time when I know what's what.


Vince

We had a great day at Preston today, signed up lots of new members, spoke to loads of enthusiastic people and met up with some existing members too (some of whom even helped out with manning the stand and erecting banners - thank you!).

If anyone's thinking of coming along, I would really recommend it. There's loads to see and the sun might even make an appearance.

Sarah

I'll second that. We had a great day out and it's always good to see some familiar faces. The SaveDreamland campaign stand looked very professional and attracted a lot of interest. Billie, Dreamland's 15" gauge steam loco was there too, looking a little forlorn and in need of some TLC . No doubt it will one day be restored- it would look perfect running on the Romney Hythe & Dymchurch Railway. Or in my back garden.

Lots of other fascinating machinery and other attractions too. Well worth the entrance money (£5 adult, £3child)

I would so love a traction engine, but the one I saw today which was for sale was getting on for a hundred grand, and I'm currently grubbing around looking for a mere quid for Tooth Fairy money- yet again!


Vince

Hi Vince,
It was lovely seeing you all yesterday at Preston, we enjoyed the day also. It was heartening seeing the interests generated by the Save Dreamland Campaign Stand which due to Nick Sarah and Daves hard work and enthusiasm looked very proffessional and interesting. We admire the hard work given in their spare time for the retention of Dreamland as a proper and accessable tourist and local resource attraction. Many people who my wife spoke to yesterday were amazed we were even having to be here to try and save The Scenic Railway for which many people fondly recalled and shared memories of happy times. Also we as a family take all our holidays in coastal Britain the last few years in Great Yarmouth visiting Pleasurewood and Pleasurebeach. Having Teenagers they like ACTION and hate shopping. we also recently have stayed in Blackpool and visited We also save up and treat the children during half terms they enjoy Southend Adventure Island which is affordable with wristbands and special offers. Always these places are packed with lots of visitors like ourselves and Margate could offer the same with some effort and committment from its town planners and council.

Alan

Ps did the tooth fairy come?

Alan wrote:
Ps did the tooth fairy come?

With six-year old twins, she never really goes away Alan

Nick, Sarah and Dave continue to do a great job, and they deserve our continuing thanks. If the campaign stand is being used anywhere else this year, I'll gladly muck in and help to man it for the day if needed.


Vince

We had another fantastic day today, with yet more new members signed up to the Campaign. It was great to see so many members at the Save Dreamland stand over the two days and be able to put faces to names! The weekend was a lot of fun and I am sure that we have raised the profile of the Campaign.

However, for me, the event wasn't only about spreading the message; it was also about getting feedback from the public. Having - quite literally - hundreds of people walking up to the Save Dreamland stand and telling us that they support our Campaign reinforced to me the strength of feeling about this issue in the East Kent area. I am convinced that the Campaign is stronger than it ever has been.

Hopefully we can do it again next year.

Nick

It was a great day out and all in all a good experience and nice to see people I have talked to on here but havn't seen their faces before. The stool itself for the Save Dreamland Campaign stuck out a while with the big website banner (what was totally great). Since we (me and linz) arrived quite late in the day and had a big shortage of money after that taxi ride from Canterbury, we spend alot of time talking to Dave and Nick but didn't have any money to buy/look at the books. So next time will make sure they get a good look into.

P.s if anyone wants to go next time it opens by public transport DO NOT go to Canterbury and get a taxi from there since for 1 all Canterbury taxis are more expensive plus secondly it is only 6 miles from Sturry (Closer than Canterbury). If you are thinking of walking those 6 miles it's a long walk but if you take some short cuts down country lanes it is quicker but need to hope onto fields now and then when cars come past!

Ian

We should have a report and photos of the event on the site within the next few days.

Nick

Nick wrote:We should have a report and photos of the event on the site within the next few days.

Nick

OK, so we didn't quite get a report up "within the next few days". Better late than never, though. I am pleased to say that at last we have a report of the Save Dreamland Campaign at the 2005 Preston Rally with photos here:

http://joylandbooks.com/scenicrailway/prestonrally.htm

Nick

Great pictures there Nick. I was just sorry I didn't make the event as I was over in the USA at the time. There were certainly some intersting ex-Dreamland characters who showed up also.

It's good news that the park entrance charge has finally been dropped. Hopefully this will have an optimum impact on attendance levels now. I will have to make it back down there before the season ends (which is sadly rapidly approaching now). I just hope the Scenic is running well.

Martin

PS Anyone get down to the (now defunct) EUjet-sponsored Margate Air Show? Looks like this will sadly now be a piece of history, at least with its inaugural sponsorship deal. Hopefullythe event will be able to continue in some form next year.