Memories and the Future

[Terry]

Hi One and all

I came across this site as I was surfing the net.

What a great idea to turn something very sad into a sucess story.I recall many a happy holiday in Margate in the 1960's and 1970's and a trip to Dreamland was magical.I am originally from London and I can clearly remember all the hordes of Londoners who used to make the trip for a day out to Margate,especially the Bank Holidays.

I recall the Summer of 1976 very well as margate had seen nothing like it for decades in that the sun shone all day long and the skies were blue and cloudless every day it seems that summer.

I now live in Australia and have visited the UK on a couple of occasions. It saddens me that many seaside resorts are so run down and dirty.Margate was always clean and tidy,the flower beds and parks were all kept in such good condition.

What has happened?

Dreamland was such a draw card to the area in those daye and I am sure it can be again.As always politics,politicians,councillors etc have vested interests and have hardly benefitted the community.

Its a disgrace that what was and should still be an Icon on the South Coast of England should be left to rot.

I take this opportunity to congratulate all those on the board and the unpaid volunteers who are doing the hard yards to make this happen. What a wonderful asset the community will have,something to be really proud of and help bring some magic back to Margate.

I hope one day in the not to distant future when visiting the UK,to travel to Margate and visit the new and future Dreamland and spend my hard earned in your community.

The very best of British and once again well done so far.

Regards

Terry

[Jim Douglas Jr.]

I've been meaning to comment but have been traveling.

It's always good to hear positive comments on this. You can always write a letter or email to the Thanet Council to show your support. Every little bit helps.
I'm in the USA and I do.

A couple years ago, a letter I wrote and threatened to copy and send to the local media made quite a stink at a council meeting. It was VERY soon after they started thinking our way. (It was just a little something about investigating council members to see any of them might getting some kind of benefit from dissolving the Dreamland site. Quite honestly, the whole thing stank of it.)

We yanks are not afraid to pull trump cards when we have them.

[Glencoe]

I was a little bit sceptical of the Heritage idea. I wondered whether children and teenagers would find the rides white knuckle enough.

However we recently were in Copenhagen and visited the Tivoli Park. I know it is a different concept in some ways but it is hardly a white knuckle park and there were lots of old fashioned type rides which the whole family seemed to enjoy.

I came away thinking these people may just be onto something. Exciting times in Margate with a lot happening over the next couple of years.

[Terry]

One of the many things I have thought of since posting my first message on here is that will be new Dreamland be asthetically pleasing.Over here in Aus,particulary on the Eastern Seaboard where all the major and very sucessful theme parks are located,asthetics are very important and facilities are keep in top order.

From what Ive seen of the plans for the new dreamland there appears to be areas of landscaping in and around the park.In my humble view these would have to be pretty significant and designed to give the venue a clean and natural as well as pleasing charm.Raised mounds of lawn in various shapes and sizes with attractive feature trees and plants would be good.(ala Euro Disney Paris) I feel its very important to provide soft and pleasant landscaping to further boost the attractiveness of the park and rides.

If money could be found in the future for a scenic monorail around the park even better.What attracts most people back to theme parks in Aus is not just the rides etc but the facilities and appearance and overall setting which are very attractive and make for a great day out.

Whilst on the subject of asthetices:The dreamland sign on that tower and the condition of it really needs a major rethink.It is an iconic part of the park that can be seen from a long way and is often the very first thing visitors to Margate see with regard to dreamland.

In my view it needs to portray what the park is and the fact that its for the long term future and is modern in its design.Plenty of up to date neon lighting would be good attracting attention and attendance in equal measure.

The areas Ive highlighted here I feel are crucial to the success of the venue.You have got to spend money on the look of the place to make people feel as though there in and part of something special.

[Jim Douglas Jr.]

The main site has a map of the proposed site. Lots of green restored.
Hopefully Dreamland will draw not only vacationers, but will have enough charms to bring locals in for a bite to eat, coffee, etc. even if just for a couple hours.

[EAS]

Do you mean the signage on the cinema 'fin'? As a grade II* listed structure I understand the plan is that eventually the original signage will be restored.

http://www.ribapix.com/index.php?a=word ... =8&go.y=16

I don't think 'modern' would be allowed, and in my view restoring the period signage (which is lovely!) is the correct thing to do, and will re-inforce the 'heritage' theme.