Godden

[Killa]

We all know 'who he is' and what he seems to have done, and we know about the rotunda and some of his other business 'ventures' but who is the guy, how did he start out and was he actually a real 'showman'?

[aweber1us]

Showmen are people that put a product some where for people to enjoy,like Billy Butlin. Someone that keeps shutting things that people enjoy is not a Showman. i can think of a few names to use.

[jmace9]

We all know 'who he is' and what he seems to have done, and we know about the rotunda and some of his other business 'ventures' but who is the guy, how did he start out and was he actually a real 'showman'?

Godden is no showman but i must admit he knows how to run good amusment park into the ground. (making a good money wilst he's at it)

[Killa]

so ruthless property developer masquerading as a showmen, even using eu grants is more apt?

[cliffc]

so ruthless property developer masquerading as a showmen, even using eu grants is more apt?

Hi

I think even the term masquerading as a showman could have you in trouble under the trades discription Act

Cliff c

[coasternutter]

He's not even a self made millionaire, I believe that he married into his money !

[RowBot]

Interesting bit of info I've been looking at on:
http://www.thegalloper.com/staticconten ... rides.html
Scroll down about half the page and there is a section on dreamland.

Following a name change back to Dreamland, the park was purchased by showman Jimmy Godden in 1995, with the help of an EU grant of over £800,000 (Jimmy Godden also owns Rotunda Amusement Park at Folkestone). Godden refurbished the entire park, and removed many rides including the Big Wheel, Looping Star roller coaster and traditional Water Chute.

So let me get this right in 1995 he got a grant to refurbish what apparently he done then he got rid of all the rides

[jmace9]

Interesting bit of info I've been looking at on:
http://www.thegalloper.com/staticconten ... rides.html
Scroll down about half the page and there is a section on dreamland.

Following a name change back to Dreamland, the park was purchased by showman Jimmy Godden in 1995, with the help of an EU grant of over £800,000 (Jimmy Godden also owns Rotunda Amusement Park at Folkestone). Godden refurbished the entire park, and removed many rides including the Big Wheel, Looping Star roller coaster and traditional Water Chute.

So let me get this right in 1995 he got a grant to refurbish what apparently he done then he got rid of all the rides [/quote
I feel he should have to pay the lot back but i bet he doesn't.

[Killa]

Derek Albert Hedgecock (1932-1999) - "Pulling Power" - Three- quarters length portrait of Mr Jimmy Godden of Folkestone surrounded by five "glamorous" women ...

says a lot about the man really....

i just dont understand how one man can single handedly destroy important assets that are major parts of towns. his business skills seem so short term, i suppose he is getting on and doesnt really give a damn about the mess hes leaving in dover, folkestone and margate

[Neil]

What really annoys me is that the councils seem to speak as if he is doing them favours. Then again it has been said before and I will say it again. He is a jolly unlucky guy to have had so many fires. It must be gutting that they are on historic listed buildings. Luckily he has the heart to continue and replace them with modern properties that he can sell and get back suffieiecnt money to help him the stand the traumour of the fire.

[Nick Evans]

In direct answer to the original question, Jimmy Godden does come from a showman's background.

I refer to page 70 of Dreamland Remembered: In 1980 the World's Fair newspaper produced a supplement to celebrate Dreamland's 60th anniversary. On the back page of this editorial, a representative speaking for the Kent & Sussex section of the fairground concessionaires professional body said: “The park is still showing itself as the leader in this part of the country. There can be no doubt that Dreamland must play a major role in the general economy of the Thanet area.

“It attracts huge numbers of visitors, who of course, spend vast sums of money throughout the area – and not just at the amusement park alone.”

These words were spoken by one who would later take on the mantle of Dreamland ownership – one Jimmy Godden.

It's a shame these words haven't been used to their fullest extent with which to haunt Mr Godden. OK times have changed since 1980 but Margate and Thanet still need places like Dreamland to bring in the punters.

Just a year after Mr G gave this quote, the Bemboms clearly agreed with him and bought the place - the rest is history.

Without doubt Mr G is a self made man. Pub gossip has it that Mr G lives on the outskirts of Folkestone in a large house well protected by security men and guard dogs. His apparent unpopularity obviously gives him some concern after all!

[Vince, Charlie and Sam]

Derek Albert Hedgecock (1932-1999) - "Pulling Power" - Three- quarters length portrait of Mr Jimmy Godden of Folkestone surrounded by five "glamorous" women ...

Well, you can see the attraction

[Killa]

lol where did you get that picture from vince?