Furie's letter trying to sort something out wrote:Dear Sirs,
I am writing to you with regards to the current demolition occurring at Southport's "Pleasureland" site. I understand that the decision to list "The Cyclone" roller coaster has been negative. While I am disappointed with this outcome, I am sure that the Ministry for Culture Media and Sport had excellent reasons for this.
The reason for writing is not to address this however, I am sure that you have already had many complaints regarding this. My concern is for the future for other rides and buildings at the Pleasureland site.
Blackpool Pleasure Beach Ltd. Has shown a clear disregard for both the heritage at the site, and a disrespect for the authority of English Heritage to come on site and inspect.
With this in mind, I would like to request that the following other attractions still left at Southport Pleasureland are also "fast Tracked" for spot listing, until a full investigation can be made.
The Fun House - This is the only remaining, traditional "House of nonsense" or Fun House left operating in the Country. The building houses many original wooden attractions moved from their original location and re-housed in the 1950's. This postcard (undated, but clearly very early), shows people enjoying the wheel before it was relocated -
http://www.southportforums.com/forums/a ... 7090&stc=1 .
To lose this attraction would be an absolute travesty. It is still popular to this day and provides rides and fun that modern day "Wacky Warehouses" can only dream of.
The River Caves - Opened in 1924 when Pleasureland moved to it's current site, these are one of two remaining rides of
this type left in the UK; the other being at Blackpool Pleasure Beach. The ride building has gone through modifications over the years, but I believe the ride layout and "scenes" within the building, as well as the front, are all original.
Haunted Inn - Build in the 1930's, this was a mainstay of traditional holiday parks. Southport's has not been altered much over the years and is still in excellent condition.
These three attractions could easily be saved, and would make a wonderful centrepiece to an attraction dedicated to displaying the history of Seaside amusement parks. It is a shame that The Cyclone could not also be present. I would be grateful if you could look into the possibility of spot-listing these attractions until a more detailed investigation can be made. As we have seen with the demolition of The Cyclone, time is of the essence where Pleasureland is concerned.
As an addition to looking at saving Southport's heritage, and with a mind to the recent actions of Blackpool Pleasure Beach Ltd., I have concerns over some of the attraction currently at Blackpool Pleasure Beach. I would also like to request that the following attractions be considered for listing:
- Noah's Ark: Situated at the entrance to the park, this is one of two remaining Noah's Ark funhouses left in the world. Built in 1924, and based on the designs of one already built (and still operating) at Kennywood in the USA. This attraction is in excellent condition and stands as a testament to the abilities of the designers to make a timeless piece of entertainment. The ride is part building and part "moving boat". The riders move in and out of the structure, facing different "fun" elements - Such as moving floors; dark passageways, bottomless pits, etc. This ride is a unique attraction to the UK and has stood as the entrance way to Blackpool Pleasure Beach for over 80 years.
- The Big Dipper: Built in 1923, The Big Dipper was the first rollercoaster in Europe to be built with "up-stop" wheels. These are a set of wheels that stop the trains from leaving the track at the crest of hills. Before this invention, rollercoasters required a "brakeman" to slow the trains and keep them on the tracks. The Big Dipper was the model for almost all roller coasters to be built in the UK from that date.
- The Grand National: One of two remaining "Moebius Loop" rolelrcoasters in the world. This fantastic ride was designed by the famous Charles Paige (who later went on to design Southport's Cyclone) in 1934. The coaster is a single continuous piece of track, but is laid out so that it two trains can run on it simultaneously, side by side, as though racing. This is an exceptionally clever design, and one of the highlights of anyone's trip to Blackpool Pleasure Beach. To lose this ride would a crime to the UK's leisure industry.
- Sir Hiram Maxim's Flying Machines: The earliest remaining ride at Blackpool, Sir Hiram Maxim's flying machines were opened in 1904 and are still working, in full order today. These are the only remaining ones left in the UK, and are a vital link to our seaside resort past.
If you could please take into consideration all these items listed here? Unfortunately I am not aware of the correct procedures to follow in these matters, but I am very aware of the necessity to move quickly at the Southport site before even more of our National heritage is destroyed forever.
Yours Sincerely,
Phil Steadman