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The latest
news from the Save Dreamland Campaign:
Wednesday, 7 May 2008
SAVE DREAMLAND CAMPAIGN ANNOUNCES DREAM COASTER
EVENT
| Following the
recent arson attack on the Scenic Railway, the Save
Dreamland Campaign has teamed up with Margate-based Limbo
Arts to stage a community exhibition celebrating Dreamland’s
heritage and inviting the public to share their memories of
the park. The public
are being invited to come along to the Substation at Bilton
Square (off Margate High Street) to help build the Dream
Coaster, a huge wooden model made out of donated scrap
timber and based on the layout of the Scenic Railway. The
build will be supervised by a core team of workers, and
helpers can pop in for an hour, stay for the day or work on
the coaster all week!
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Our Dream Coaster will then be the focal point of a
week-long exhibition when visitors will be invited to share
their memories, hopes and dreams. We are also asking the
public to loan Dreamland or Scenic memorabilia for display
and dig out old film footage of the park that we will
convert to DVD and make into a montage film. A programme of
talks and workshops is also being planned.
“The Scenic Railway and
Dreamland are synonymous with Margate; the coaster is much
loved by the community and residents and visitors of all
ages have memories of the park,” said Paul Hazelton, Project
Manager of Limbo Arts. “The recent fire has created a sense
of loss in the town and galvanised the local community:
people feel they want to do something but feel powerless.
The Substation once powered Dreamland and we hope the Dream
Coaster will now empower those individuals.”
Save Dreamland Campaign
Coordinator Sarah Vickery added: "We want people to delve
into their sheds or garages for scrap pieces of wood and
bring them along to turn into our own version of the famous
ride.
"So many people have been
affected by the fire, we thought one way of tapping into
that momentum was to give everyone the chance of joining in
a community art project like this.
"The actual size of the
Dream Coaster, and the amount of detail, will depend, of
course, on how much timber we are given but the inside of
the Substation is 16 metres long, so it has to fit inside
that space."
We need the public’s help
in a number of ways…
-
Donations of scrap wood, especially long lengths to be
used for the main structure. Also nails, screws and wood
glue. Please ring Paul Hazelton, Project Manager of
Limbo, on 078 1278 0984 to arrange either pick up or
delivery time.
- Loan
of Dreamland/Scenic Railway memorabilia for display. All
items can be deposited at the Shell Grotto, Margate,
open daily, 10am to 5pm.
- Loan
of old film footage, which again can be handed in at the
Grotto.
So get these dates into
your diary:
Build week: 23-30 May
Exhibition: 31 May – 7 June
The Substation, Bilton Square, off High Street, Margate
Finally, an item from the letters page
of today's
Your Thanet:
Appropriate acts to
fire up festival
I was thinking about
putting on some kind
of music festival in
Margate this Summer.
I will be asking the
acclaimed Canadian
band Arcade Fire to
come and play.
Perhaps we can ask
Amusement Parks On
Fire to be a support
act...
PB Metcalfe,
Cliftonville.
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|
Tuesday,
6 May 2008
An item from the letters page of the
Thanet Extra on 2 May 2008:
Scenic Railway,
Empty promises?
News that Thanet
council will ensure
Dreamland's Scenic
Railway will be
brought back from
ruin by serving a
repairs notice on
the owners if
necessary is
welcome. Many of
Margate's residents
see it as the last
remaining attraction
to the town. I
remember the same
being said when the
arcade on the
seafront was
destroyed by fire a
few years ago,
leaving a hole where
it had stood. The
council stated it
would ensure it was
rebuilt as soon as
possible and as a
matter of urgency,
but nothing has
happened. Perhaps
now it can ensure it
is put on the list
with the Dreamland
cinema and Scenic
Railway and have
them all done up
together. It's never
nice to have
derelict buildings
left to rot, but
especially when they
are in such
prominent places.
Perhaps a council
officer can explain
why the arcade was
never rebuilt.
TS McElligot,
Arthur Road,
Cliftonville.
|
Monday,
5 May 2008
More Dreamland in the local media.
From the Thanet Times letters page 29th April:
Pier Pressure
How dare Terry Adams
(Thanet Times, April
22) equate the
Scenic Railway to
Tracey Emin's bed.
Being a seaside
town, people expect
a fun park and
arcades. I agree
that Margate needs a
clean-up. The High
Street needs more
shops open,
Arlington House
needs painting or
got rid of, and all
the boarded-up shops
around it need
pulling down or
refurbishing. Our
beaches are lovely,
and the Old Town
looks promising with
the shell ladies
etc, but the rest of
Margate looks
shoddy. Mr Adams
said that local
people do not go
there: of course
not, they take their
children to
Chessington, Alton
Towers and Thorpe
Park, and their
money goes with
them. Most seaside
towns have a pier,
we do not. If money
can be found for the
Turner Contemporary
then we should find
some to build a new
pier. Do we really
want to be known as
"Margate, the place
with all the luxury
flats" ?
Diane Alger,
Fulham Avenue,
Margate.
|
From the Your Thanet letters
page 30th April:
Tourists can see
the real Margate
It's good to see the
open-top bus tours
are coming back to
the area in time for
Summer - but what
will the tourists
actually see?
There's the
burnt-out
rollercoaster, the
closed-down
amusement park, the
boarded-up shop
fronts and the
scruffy pubs. Oh,
and the charity
shops. Will all
these be on the
agenda for
sightseeing? To my
mind they should be
as they are exactly
what Margate is all
about.
Anna Phillips,
Margate.
Dreamland rebuild
is a great idea
I feel that last
week's blogger Simon
Moores deserves a
pat on the back for
his enthusiasm. The
vision of a new
Dreamland emerging
from what we have
now is one which is
fully shared by many
people who have the
future of our town
at heart. Margate
once thrived and it
can easily do so
again, and Dreamland
is one of the keys
to this. In the
words of a famous
film - "build it and
they shall come".
Colin Pawson,
Margate.
|
And from the Isle of Thanet Gazette
2nd May:
Scenic Railway
repairs wait
The owners of
Margate's Scenic
Railway are waiting
for a report from
English Heritage on
the extent of the
damage to the ride
before repair work
can begin.
The Grade II listed
ride partly burned
down last month in
an arson attack.
The Margate Town
Centre Regeneration
Company is now
awaiting a report
from English
Heritage which will
make recommendations
on how best to
proceed.
Ross Stewart, an
MTCRC director,
said: "Once we have
received the report
from English
Heritage, who will
be able to tell us
what is salvageable
and what needs to be
rebuilt, we will
have a meeting with
Thanet council along
with English
Heritage and our
engineers to decide
how best to move
forward."
Roller coaster
architecture expert
Jacobs was
commissioned by
MTCRC to carry out a
condition survey to
determine the
stability of the
structure.
It found the
workshop was
completely destroyed
and the station has
50 per cent damage.
Jacobs' report said:
"With the majority
of the structure
undamaged overall
stability is
satisfactory. The
areas of concern are
the fire-damaged
ends of the
structure, which
have several damaged
posts, braces and
track boards which
could easily become
detached and fall."
Certain frames
remain standing at
each end but are
heavily fire damaged
and as a result of
the collapse leaning
towards the workshop
area.
The station has been
damaged and
approximately half
of the roof panels
have collapsed with
several of the steel
posts to the roof
deformed.
The report
recommends that:
"The station roof
should be completely
removed and the
damaged steel post
scrapped as it would
not be possible to
determine how the
fire has affected
the steel post. To
ensure the stability
of the track it is
recommended to
temporarily provide
additional braces to
undamaged frames
adjacent to the
damaged sections and
remove damaged
frames."
|
Tuesday, 29 April 2008
The Dreamland Cinema has been upgraded
to a II* listed building by the Department for Culture, Media and
Sport as of 25th April. The building was previously Grade II. The
signed schedule can be downloaded
here.
Also of potential interest to
campaigners is the future of the former Rotunda Amusement Park site
in Folkestone, which was also owned by Dreamland Leisure Ltd and now
forms part of ex-Saga boss Roger De Haan's seafront development
project. Leisure Opportunities magazine reports that De Haan’s
project was delayed for 18 months due to negotiations with
"attractions operator" Jimmy Godden, co-owner of Dreamland, which
makes up a large part of De Haan's seafront site. Apparently, even
though the project's masterplan was drawn up in 2005, it wasn’t
until November 2006 that Godden finally agreed to sell the land. De
Haan took control in March 2007, which enabled the project to move
forward. The Rotunda site is likely to be redeveloped in the near
future.
More here...
Dreamland is still getting much
coverage in the local media. The Isle of Thanet Gazette of 18
April included the following report:
Scenic Railway
aftermath
‘Veiled threats’ in
Dreamland
Thanet council is
threatening to buy
Margate’s Scenic
Railway if repair
work is not carried
out by the owners of
the Grade II listed
ride.
The move for
compulsory purchase
of the railway,
which partially
burned down two
weeks ago, and the
nearby Dreamland
cinema was agreed on
Wednesday after
being added as a
last-minute item to
the agenda of the
council’s planning
committee.
The move has
infuriated Margate
Town Centre
Regeneration Company
managing director
Toby Hunter, whose
company owns the
site. He dubbed the
council’s hasty move
“a nasty bit of
work”.
Speaking exclusively
to the Isle of
Thanet Gazette, Mr
Hunter said: “I’m
more than happy to
have a discourse
with the council.
They’ve had years to
purchase it and now
it’s gone up in
flames they suddenly
want it. Who’s going
to foot the bill to
buy it, the
taxpayers?”
On Wednesday
planning committee
members authorised
notices, a works
notice and an urgent
works notice to
preserve and repair
the ride and cinema
if necessary. The
report for Nick
Dermott, the
council’s heritage
development advisor,
said: “Dreamland
could not be said to
have operated in any
real sense since
2006. The Scenic
Railway is a
structure that
requires regular
maintenance and this
has not taken place
for the last two
years leading to
serious concerns
with regards the
deterioration of the
condition of the
ride.”
At the meeting Cllr
Clive Hart raised
the concern that
although 20 per cent
of the Scenic
Railway would need
to be completely
rebuilt the other 80
per cent would still
need work done to it
as it has sat
unmaintained for the
past two years.
Officers agreed
works would also
cover the remaining
80 per cent to
ensure the ride
would be
operational.
Council officers
considered it
“reasonable to
expect that the ride
might be repaired
and operational by
Easter 2009.”
Mr Hunter said his
company, which
includes businessman
Jimmy Godden as a
major shareholder,
is happy to comply
with the urgent
works notice but
says the repairs
notice is not
justified.
Ross Stewart, a
MTCRC director,
viewed the move to
order repairs to the
Scenic Railway as a
“thinly veiled
threat” by the
council.
Mr Stewart said:
“Before this
happened we were
having a very
positive
relationship and
progressed very
well. Dreamland is
not crippled and on
its knees. Instead
of pulling together
they’re
finger-pointing and
attacking us.
“The inclusion of
the whole site and
cinema is not
justified and
significantly alters
the context of
discussion when it
comes to resolving
the primary issue,
which is the repair
of the Scenic
Railway, as opposed
to secondary issues
related to the
implication of the
repair notice and
consequent
compulsory purchase
orders. We will
therefore be seeking
legal advice on this
matter and have
instructed Barton
Willmore architects
to approach Queen’s
Counsel to clarify
our obligation.”
English Heritage
visited the site on
Wednesday to assess
the damage. Reports
from the police and
fire brigade have
not yet been
received. Planning
committee member Ken
Gregory said: “The
thing is if we don’t
get these powers
through then six
months down the line
it might not be
fixed and the people
of Thanet wouldn’t
be happy about
that.”
Thanet council
leader Sandy Ezekiel
says that the first
priority since the
fire is to get the
ride repaired. He
said: “It’s possible
that it can be
rebuilt and that’s
exactly what we will
be pushing for.
Obviously it’s our
hope that the owners
of the site will
carry out the work
that is required
without the need for
any further action
from the council but
we feel that this
site is so important
to Margate that we
need to ensure that
happens.”
The police are
currently awaiting
results taken by
forensic scientists
at the site and are
following a number
of inquiries as to
what the motivation
would be for someone
to torch the
railway.
Planning explained
Urgent Works Notice:
The council has
power under the
Planning (Listed
Building and
Conservation Areas)
Act 1990 to
undertake urgent
works necessary for
the preservation of
unoccupied listed
buildings and
buildings in
conservation areas.
The costs can be
recovered from the
owners.
Repairs Notice: The
council has power
under the Planning
(Listed Building and
Conservation Areas)
Act 1990 to serve a
notice on the owner
of a dilapidated
listed building
setting out the
repairs necessary to
properly preserve
it.
Compulsory Purchase
Order: When land is
bought without the
agreement of the
owner.
Mixed reaction to
council’s plan
Sarah Vickery
of the Save
Dreamland Campaign
is pleased with the
news. She said: “I
think it is the best
news we could have
hoped for really.
From the moment the
fire happened the
council have been
firm on what they
think should happen,
especially Cllr
Ezekiel who was
immediately on site.
This is really the
best response we
could have hoped
for.”
Thule Howard
who watched the
Scenic Railway
collapse thinks it
might be a little
too late. She said:
“It’s good news but
what will they do
with it? It all
seems just a little
bit too late,
they’ve had years to
stop the downfall in
its tracks and
haven’t done
anything about it.
Plus, where would
the money come
from?”
Lucy Evans
from Margate is keen
to see the whole
site rebuilt. She
said: “It’s great
news especially
after all the
uncertainty that has
surrounded the site.
It’s been empty for
so long and nobody
really knows what is
going to happen to
the site but I think
if the council got
hold of it they
could try and make
it great again. I’m
sure that if it gets
done up people and
businesses will want
to come back to
Margate.”
And from the letters
page:
Vision, not dreams
I read, in a state
of bewildered
fascination, the
mawkish nonsense
being pumped out
from all directions
with regard to the
demise of the scenic
railway. A Grade II
listed structure,
they have got to be
joking, it is
nothing more than a
pile of clapped out
firewood that has
stood as testimony
to Margate’s decline
over the last 40
years. Who on earth
thinks that it is an
archaeological gem?
The same people that
think Tracey Emin’s
bed is a work of art
no doubt!
I simply cannot
understand why so
many people want to
keep this tired
structure and stay
rooted in the past.
When you look around
the immediate area
and see the decline
and decay that is so
prevalent,
particularly along
the seafront, high
street and the back
streets of parts of
Cliftonville, it’s
really depressing
and it’s simply
because so many
people are resistant
to change and are
rooted into a
mindset that somehow
we have got to
resurrect the
Margate of
yesteryear.
I spent a large part
of my teenage years,
in the mid-to
late-60s, in and
around the seafront
area and the
evidence of decline
was there to see,
even in those
distant times.
Dreamland was seedy,
tired and jaded then
and only busy for
around three to four
months of the year.
In the remaining
months it stood
completely
redundant. Is this
what people want to
return to?
The whole seafront
area needs a total
revamp and has got
to be changed and a
way has got to be
found to erase those
hideous, gaudy penny
arcades that
represent Margate.
Do people seriously
think that these
amenities are going
to attract people to
the area to spend
their leisure time?
And that goes for
any kind of
half-hearted
revitalised
Dreamland. Margate
needs real change
because in its
current state even
local people feel no
desire to go there.
It needs bold vision
and the provision of
amenities that are
more in keeping with
what a broader cross
section of people
want. It has to
provide a range of
facilities that will
attract people
all-year-round.
Terry Adams,
Broadstairs.
|
From the Thanet
Times of 22 April:
It’s all gone
Well, it happened!
The Scenic Railway
at Dreamland,
Margate has caught
fire. The last
remaining evidence
of fun and laughter,
gone. I’ve watched
over the last 15
years, things going
from bad to worse.
People have tried to
put the zing back
into Margate with no
avail.
To me it’s a major
part of my childhood
and teenage years
wiped out as if it
did not exist. Going
down to Dreamland on
a Sunday afternoon
spending 6d on the
ducks (winning a
prize each time),
then either a hot
dog or candy floss
before returning
home for tea.
Thursday night was
firework night, with
all the crowds
shouting oh and ah!
They were happy
times of good clean
fun had by all. Then
when I was older I
was allowed to go to
the Dreamland
ballroom, if I was
lucky to see a live
band on Saturday
with a support band.
Then on Sunday the
support band and
Mick Tee as the
resident DJ, this
was about 1968-70. I
met my future
husband at one of
these dances, they
were great. We’d
walk through
Dreamland most
weekends playing
bingo, riding the
river caves, or
riding in the bumper
cars. I have some
lovely memories of
my teenage years at
Dreamland, also
going to the cinema
to see one of the
latest films
showing. I must also
mention the morning
cinema on Saturday,
a free ice lolly if
it was your
birthday. These are
a few of my
memories. They were
a very special part
of my growing up in
Margate. I realise
things must change,
but are they always
for the best?Carole
Howard, third
generation in
Margate.
|
From Your Thanet
on 23 April:
Scenic Railway must
be repaired
Restoring Margate’s
Scenic Railway,
which was badly
damaged in an arson
attack, has been
made a legal
requirement by the
local authority.
Thanet council’s
planning committee
on Wednesday last
week gave officers
the power to serve
statutory notices
under the Planning
Act on the owners of
the Dreamland site,
home of the railway.
Members discussed
measures to ensure
the Grade-II listed
Scenic Railway was
preserved and
repaired. It is
hoped the owners,
the Margate Town
Centre Regeneration
Company, will carry
out the work
necessary to rebuild
the ride, which
opened in 1920.
Planning officers
believe the
rollercoaster will
be up and running
again by next
Easter.
A blaze at the
amusement park
destroyed 20 per
cent of the ride’s
tracks, the
workshops where the
trains were stored
and part of the
‘station’. Police
have been treating
the incident as
arson.
And from the letters
page:
Scenic rebuild is
credit to council
Credit where it’s
due. Congratulations
to Thanet council
for having the
courage and
determination to
have the Scenic
Railway rebuilt.
There may be some
who will try to
throw a spanner in
the works, but I am
sure the majority of
people, both
residents and
visitors, will back
the council to the
hilt. As a visitor
since 1936 and a
resident since 1945
I just want to say
“Thank you Thanet
council”.
Betty Renz,
Cliftonville
|
From the Thanet
Extra of 26 April:
Scenic owners may
have to repair ride
Thanet council’s
planning committee
has voted
unanimously in
favour of taking
legal steps to
ensure Dreamland’s
fire damaged Scenic
Railway is repaired.
Members gave
officers the power
to serve repair
notices on the
park’s owners,
Margate Town Centre
Regeneration Company
(MTCRC), compelling
it to bring back the
1920 ride to
operating condition.
The committee heard
that council
officers were
already working with
MTCRC and its
consulting
engineers. At the
moment they are in
the process of
deciding which
additional parts of
the Scenic’s
structure can be
removed before
restoration can go
ahead.
Hopes are high that
work can be
completed on the
railway by Easter
2009.
Issuing the order is
seen as a last-ditch
move by the council
but gives it the
option of
compulsorily
purchasing the
entire 15 acre park
site and paying for
the work to be done
before reselling it
again on the open
market.
Subject to further
legal advice, the
council might
include the 1935
cinema building on
the seafront in the
same order.
Moving agreement to
the notice, Cllr
Steve Ward told the
meeting: “The Scenic
Railway is one of
the most important
pieces of equipment
left in Margate.
There will be
degradation of the
whole structure if
the council doesn’t
agree with the
officers’
recommendation.
“I hope the Scenic
Railway will be
running by next
summer at the latest
and our officers
will be working with
the owners to ensure
that happens.”
Cllr Ezekiel told
Thanet Extra after
the meeting he was
delighted at the
decision and
confirmed MTCRC was
already working
closely with the
council. He said:
“This is the right
decision for Thanet
and a vital tool in
our armoury.
“Although the Scenic
Railway is like
Trigger’s broom,
people love it
dearly.”
Sarah Vickery, of
the Save Dreamland
Campaign, was among
those watching
proceedings from a
packed public
gallery. She said:
“This is a robust
stand by the council
and it’s very good
news. It’s
interesting to note
that legal advice
will be sought to
include the cinema
in the order.
“This has needed
restoration for
years but its demise
hasn’t been as
dramatic as the
Scenic Railway.”
Finding new uses for
old cinemas was a
problem facing many
places up and down
the country, she
said, and a lot of
creative thinking
would be needed to
decide how to best
use the Dreamland
building.
Trigger’s broom
-
Trigger’s broom
is a reference
to Only Fools
and Horses
character
Trigger, the
roadsweeper
portrayed by
Roger
Lloyd-Pack, a
known supporter
of the Save
Dreamland
Campaign.
Trigger had
owned the broom
for many years,
replacing its
handle and head
several times.
-
A Christmas
special of the
programme,
entitled The
Jolly Boys
Outing, was made
at Dreamland,
then Bemboms
theme park, in
1989 and has
been repeated on
TV several times
since.
|
Friday, 25 April 2008
| Fairground
industry newspaper, World's Fair, featured an article
on recent events at Dreamland, culminating in the recent
meeting between the Campaign, Thanet District Council and
the Margate Renewal Partnership on Monday of this week.
View a scan of the article. |
 |
Thursday, 24 April 2008
More news from the local press.
Thanet Adscene on 17 April:
A week in Thanet –
keeping you up to
date
The owners of
Margate’s Dreamland
have said they will
rebuild the historic
Scenic Railway if
they can find copies
of the plans. Toby
Hunter, from the
Margate Town Centre
Regeneration
Company, said they
were “hacked off” at
the blaze which
devastated part of
the Grade II listed
funfair ride. He
said it formed a
central part of his
firm’s plans for the
site, as the focus
of a heritage theme
park. He said the
company’s priority
would be to make the
site safe then to
look at whether the
ride can be
reconstructed.
|
Thanet Extra on
18 April:
It will be rebuilt
The Scenic Railway
could rise from the
ashes of the blaze
that destroyed the
centre section of
the historic ride
and be back on track
by next Easter. That
is the optimistic
prediction put
forward by district
council officers in
a report to planning
committee members
this week.
It is hoped that the
owners of the site,
the Margate Town
Centre Regeneration
Company, which is
responsible for the
listed roller
coaster, will carry
out the necessary
rebuilding and
repair work.
However, the council
has asked for its
officers to be given
powers to serve
Statutory Notices
under the Planning
Act if needed. This
would require the
owners of the Scenic
Railway to put the
structure back to
the condition it was
in at the time it
was listed. If the
specified repairs
are not carried out,
then, depending on
the type of notice
issued, a compulsory
purchase process
would begin or the
council could carry
out the work itself
and claim the cost
of this work back
from the site
owners. The report
says members could
serve a similar
notice on the
Dreamland cinema
building, which is
also listed.
Council leader Cllr
Sandy Ezekiel said:
“Our first priority
since the fire has
been to get the
Scenic Railway
repaired. It’s clear
that, although the
fire was
exceptionally
serious, it is
possible that it can
be rebuilt and
that’s exactly what
we will be pushing
for.
“Obviously it is our
hope that the owners
of the site will
carry out the work
that is required
without the need for
any further action
from the council,
but we feel that
this site is so
important to Margate
and the local
community that we
need to ensure that
happens.
“That’s why the
planning committee
is being asked to
give officers these
powers, so that if
the repairs are not
carried out by the
owners, we can take
legal action to
ensure that the
Scenic Railway is
repaired and brought
back into use. I’m
sure that’s a move
that local people
will warmly
welcome.”
Discussions between
the council and the
owners and their
agents are
continuing about
this and also about
security on the
seafront Dreamland
amusement park site.
Council officers
state in the report
that it is
“considered
reasonable to expect
that the ride might
be repaired and
operational by
Easter 2009”.
A late report was
put on Wednesday’s
planning agenda
asking members to
authorise the
serving of Statutory
Notices to preserve
and repair the
structure if
necessary. The ride,
which first opened
in 1920, became the
first amusement park
ride to be Grade II
listed in 2002 and
is the oldest roller
coaster in the
country. The fire
destroyed about 20
per cent of the
tracks, the workshop
where the cars were
housed and part of
the ‘station’. The
engine house,
containing the
electric motors and
winding gear,
survived.
Plea made to rebuild
our railway
London-based
Twentieth Century
Society, which works
to ensure post-1914
buildings are
preserved, has lent
its backing to calls
for the Scenic
Railway to be
rebuilt. It also
expresses concern
for the future of
the now empty
Dreamland cinema,
which, like the
railway, is also a
listed building.
The society points
out that the Scenic
Railway was rebuilt
after two serious
fires in 1949 and
1957 and added:
“This is a tragic
loss and a terrible
blow to all those
who have campaigned
locally and
nationally to
protect and preserve
this rare and
delightful
structure.
“The Scenic Railway
was a remarkable
survival and its
grade-two listing is
an acknowledgement
of its national
significance.
“The people of
Margate were
immensely proud of
the railway and the
society hopes its
reconstruction will
be seriously
considered as an
option. In the
meantime the society
remains concerned
for the Dreamland
cinema.”
Mick’s model tribute
is history in making
As Margate people
cherish the real
thing, so the town’s
deputy mayor Cllr
Mick Tomlinson
cherishes his scale
model of Dreamland’s
Scenic Railway.
Built in exacting
detail, it is about
64 times smaller
than the grade
two-listed
structure.
Mick, 62, has a
lifelong passion for
model-making and
first built his
balsa wood replica
44 years ago when he
was an apprentice
cable jointer for
Seeboard. At the
time, it took him
two years to make
the eight-feet long
model in two
sections which can
easily be
transported. He has
replaced parts as
changes to the full
size version were
made.
In the 1960s, Mick’s
model was just one
of many he built as
he miniaturized all
of the rides in
Dreamland park – and
for a long time they
were on show in the
cinema’s foyer and
at special events.
He was inspired by
Dreamland’s former
owner Eric Iles
after completing a
model of the park’s
popular Paratrooper
ride in 1964.
Mick said: “I took
it to show
Dreamland’s
advertising manager
Alan Dick and he was
very impressed.
Almost immediately,
that model was seen
by Eric and he said
it would be
wonderful if there
was a model of every
ride in the park –
and in the years
that followed,
that’s what I did.”
By the early 1970s,
Mick had joined
Dreamland’s staff,
initially as
electrician and
maintenance manager,
and then took over
responsibility for
the company’s
advertising. By
1980, Mick was able
to add a scale model
of the 150-feet high
Big Wheel.
His flair for
model-making hasn’t
waned as Mick is
planning to make an
entirely new replica
of the park set in
the 1960s.
He added: “The 1960s
were good times for
Dreamland and there
were plenty of great
rides then. “I hope
to start sometime in
the next 12 months
and the idea is that
the finished version
will be on permanent
display in Margate’s
old town.”
‘We’re determined to
save attraction’
Pressure group Save
Dreamland Campaign
has been inundated
with offers of
support and is
working with the
park’s owners
Margate Town Centre
Regeneration
Company, (MTCRC).
Campaign leader Nick
Laister said: “I am
heartened by the
huge response from
the people of
Margate and from
around the country
who have all
expressed their
outrage that this
much-loved listed
building could have
been damaged in this
way.
“Dreamland’s owners
acted swiftly to
assess the damage,
and I have told
MTCRC boss Toby
Hunter we will do
everything we can to
help restore the
ride.
“I have contacted as
many people in the
industry as possible
to satisfy myself
that the skills and
expertise are
available to rebuild
the Scenic Railway.
Repairing the damage
may not be as
arduous as first
thought.
“People who know the
Scenic Railway well,
and who have
maintained the ride
over the years, are
willing to get
involved with the
restoration.
“In addition,
Blackpool Pleasure
Beach has confirmed
it would project
manage the
restoration, from
design through to
operation, using its
team of wooden
roller coaster
experts.
“They rebuilt a
fire-damaged wooden
coaster at the park
in 2004, built
several replica
wooden coasters as
far away as Mexico
and India, and
maintain the large
number of historic
roller coasters at
the huge Lancashire
amusement park.
“With the hundreds
of photographs
available,
significant
expertise at the
council – and even a
privately-owned
scale model of the
ride – I am
convinced a rebuild
is possible and
achievable.”
Support rolls in for
Scenic Railway to
rise from ashes
Dozens of Kent
Online readers – the
Kent Messenger
Group’s rolling news
website – added
tributes to
Dreamland’s Scenic
Railway in the
aftermath of last
week’s devastating
fire. It wasn’t just
Thanet residents who
logged their
thoughts but people
from other parts of
the country. Their
comments ranged from
a simple one line
expression of sorrow
to a five verse
poem.
The furthest reader
of our coverage to
add a comment was
Karen Millen,
signing in from
Barbados, believed
to be the fashion
shop queen. She
said: “I loved this
ride as a child and
feel very sad that
it has now gone.”
Closer to home,
Hilary Brooke from
Margate, wrote: “I
and all my friends
are heartbroken but
not at all surprised
at this arson
attack.
“The Scenic Railway
has been a blot on
the landscape for
potential developers
for some years!
“All we can hope is
it must be rebuilt
or one of the last
remaining pieces of
history in Margate
will become another
block of hideous
flats.”
Mike Turner, living
in Cambridgeshire
these days, stated:
“We moved to
Westgate in 1947, my
parents running a
guest house.
“You can bet I loved
Dreamland and the
Scenic Railway. I am
devastated at this
fire, though we were
used to one in
Dreamland most
autumns.
“Even when I was 15
I wondered just why
the town never
invested the profits
or moved forward
with the times,
because there is
still much that
could be done with
such a resource. For
me it is criminal
what has been and is
happening in this
historic seaside
town.”
John Humphrey, from
Sevenoaks, wondered
if there are any
detailed plans. He
said: “Without
these, even if the
money and other
resources are
available. I don’t
see how the ride can
be rebuilt so that
it would work.
“Are there experts
who can work out the
measurements
accurately to
produce a new set of
drawings?"
Kent man Dave Peters
added his remark:
“Yet again, Thanet
suffers another fire
when something
blocks the building
of more houses.
“Bring the theme
park back, build
houses elsewhere.
Margate won’t be a
holiday destination
again but as a day
trip town it should
be great.”
Sue Cairns, of
Margate said: “They
must rebuild the
Scenic Railway, it
has so many happy
memories for so
many.
“Whoever did this
needs reprimanding.
“We have already
lost the Lido, the
pier and the rest of
Dreamland, We cannot
let this part of
Margate’s history be
demolished.
Donald Cook from
Chatham recalls: “I
went on it during my
childhood years as
did my sisters and
my gran.
“What a great loss
to Margate. Let’s
hope it will be like
the phoenix and rise
again. I hope they
rebuild it and keeps
the next generation
as happy as I was
all those years
ago.”
|
Monday,
21 April 2008
Nick Laister and Susan Marsh of the
Save Dreamland Campaign attended a meeting with senior
representatives of Thanet District Council and the Margate Renewal
Partnership to discuss the future of the Scenic Railway and to
further progress plans for the Dreamland Heritage Amusement Park.
More news on these proposals will be posted on this page over the
coming weeks, so check back regularly.
Sunday,
20 April 2008
Today's national Observer
newspaper included an article on the "torching" of the Scenic
Railway and Margate's other problems -
click here to view.
The Scenic fire and efforts to repair
the ride are still making the news elsewhere. Kent on Sunday on 13
April had a lengthy piece about the fire and the future of the ride.
You can view the article in
Word format and in
PDF format
(thanks to Kif Hopkins for this item). The Thanet Times on 15
April carried the following story:
POLICE DOGS FIND
CLUES IN RAILWAY
WRECKAGE
Police dogs brought
in to investigate
the blaze which
devastated Margate's
Scenic Railway have
found traces of
accelerants.
A source told the
Thanet Times that
the presence of an
accelerant such as
petrol helped
confirm to police
that the fire which
started last Monday
was arson.
The owners of the
Scenic Railway and
Dreamland fun park,
have pledged to
rebuild the ride if
they can find the
blueprints.
Margate Town Centre
Regeneration Company
chairman Toby Hunter
said they were
"hacked off" by the
blaze, which set
back their plans to
use the railway as
the centrepiece of a
heritage fun park.
The firm wants to
build homes, shops,
restaurants and
cafes on the former
amusement park site
and hopes to submit
plans to Thanet
council.
From
the letters page:
Fire enquiry
There needs to be an
immediate enquiry
into the Dreamland
roller coaster fire.
To burn down such a
spaced out and solid
structure would need
careful planning and
plenty of time, to
soak each pillar and
post with a suitable
flammable substance.
But more
importantly, Thanet
council needs to
make a stand by
insisting that the
owners and insurers
pay for the cost of
rebuilding this
much-loved landmark
as soon as possible,
and to remain
responsible for its
future upkeep. Our
heritage must be
protected.
S Banyard, King
Street, Sandwich.
Lack of vision
I read, in a state
of bewildered
fascination, the
mawkish nonsense
being pumped out
from all directions
with regard to the
demise of the Scenic
Railway. A Grade II
listed structure?
They have got to be
joking, it is
nothing more than a
pile of clapped-out
firewood that has
stood as testimony
to Margate’s decline
over the last 40
years. Who on earth
thinks that it is an
archaeological gem?
The same people that
think that Tracey
Emin’s bed is a work
of art no doubt! The
whole seafront area
needs a total revamp
and has got to be
changed, and a way
has got to be found
to erase those
hideous, gaudy penny
arcades that in a
nutshell represent
what Margate is
currently about.
Margate needs real
change, because in
its current state
even local people
feel no desire to go
there. It needs bold
vision and the
provision of
amenities that are
more in keeping with
what a broader
cross-section of
people want.
Terry Adams,
Masons Rise,
Broadstairs.
|
Friday,
18 April 2008
On Wednesday, Thanet District
Council's Planning Committee considered a recommendation from their
officers that the Council should take legal action to ensure the
repair of the Scenic Railway. The Committee voted unanimously in
favour of accepting the Officer's recommendation. There was one
amendment: that the curtilage of the Scenic Railway would be
determined once counsel's opinion had seen sought. This news is
reported at
BBC
News,
Kent Online and
Kent News.
Wednesday's YourThanet
newspaper included extensive coverage of the efforts to restore the
Scenic Railway. Download the full report
here. It was also
covered by
Invicta FM.
We have also been contacted by the
webmaster of the xtremecoasters.com website, who has posted the
following two videos of Dreamland onto YouTube:
Dreamland 1990
Dreamland 2002
The 18 April issue of Private Eye
featured a piece on the Scenic Railway fire in the 'Rotten Boroughs'
section:
UNLUCKY JIM
There was an air of
inevitability about
the fire which last
week destroyed much
of Margate's Scenic
Railway, a grade
II-listed wooden
rollercoaster, once
the centrepiece of
Dreamland, a classic
seaside amusement
park which closed
after 80 years in
2003.
The closure left 20
acres of seafront
real estate
practically deserted
and ripe for
development by its
owner, Jimmy Godden.
But the listed
rollercoaster was in
the middle of the
site, and an
independent
government
inspector's report
in 2005 went against
the supine local
council and
reiterated
protection for it
and the amusement
park.
That year Godden
formed the Margate
Town Centre
Regeneration Company
with Reading-based
developers
Waterbridge,
retaining a major
stake in Dreamland.
A public
"consultation" by
Thanet council two
years later tried
yet again to float
the idea of a
development, coming
up with an unhappy
50-50 compromise of
"heritage amusement
park" and the usual
flats and shops.
This is not the
first time Godden
has experienced
misfortune with his
seafront
developments. In
1998 his Pleasurama
fun park in Ramsgate
burned down in the
midst of a campaign
to save it from
redevelopment.
Fortunately on that
occasion Godden had
the comfort of a
substantial
insurance payout to
soften the blow. In
2003 his Mr G arcade
on Margate seafront
went up in flames,
but again there was
consolation in that
the hole it left,
nicknamed "Godden's
Gap" by locals,
provided the perfect
access road from the
seafront into the
Dreamland site.
When English
Heritage listed the
rollercoaster in
2002 Godden
described it as
"great news" and
told the BBC it was
"safe in his hands".
A year later he
closed Dreamland,
and now more than a
quarter of this
historic ride lies
in ashes.
Inspector Knacker is
treating case as
arson.
|
Finally, last week's
Isle of Thanet Gazette featured extensive coverage
of the Scenic Railway fire:
NOT THE END
The owners of
Dreamland have
pledged to rebuild
the scenic railway
after it
dramatically burned
down but need to
find the original
plans.
Speaking exclusively
to the Isle of
Thanet Gazette,
managing director of
the Margate Town
Centre Regeneration
Company Toby Hunter
said the firm's
engineers had only
been allowed back on
site yesterday
(Thursday) to assess
the damage to the
88-year-old railway.
He said Monday's
blaze, which police
say was started
deliberately and
which destroyed a
large section of the
wooden structure as
well as the station
house and cars, was
a huge setback to
plans for the former
fun park.
The firm's proposals
included a heritage
theme park with the
scenic railway at
its centre as well
as shops,
restaurants, cafes
and homes.
Mr Hunter, who heads
the company which
also counts
businessman Jimmy
Godden as a major
shareholder, said
the immediate
priority was to see
what needed to be
done to make the
ride safe. Then, he
said, work would
begin to see if it
can be rebuilt. He
said: "Once we have
determined what
needs to be done to
make the scenic
safe, then our
engineers will be
piecing together if
there is enough
information to
replace what's been
burned down."
Mr Hunter said the
firm had no idea how
much rebuilding
might cost and would
be meeting their
insurers. He added:
"It might sound odd
but we have no idea
to what extent it's
insured. We have had
a meeting with our
insurers and put
them on notice and
explained what has
happened."
The site was closed
on Tuesday as
investigators
scoured the scene
for clues and police
announced they were
treating the fire as
arson. Forensic
scientists from the
Forensic Science
Service in Lambeth,
south-east London,
were drafted in with
specialist dogs
teams from Surrey
which can detect the
use of accelerants.
Experts from English
Heritage and Thanet
council's
conservation officer
Nick Dermott were
also due to examine
the ride on
Wednesday.
The fire comes two
weeks after the
Tivoli arcade was
torched and five
years after a
seafront arcade
belonging to Mr
Godden caught fire.
Mr Hunter said any
idea that the fire
had helped the
MTCRC's plans was
way off the mark. He
said: "It's not
convenient at all.
Any development of
this kind has to
offer something in
terms of payback to
the community. There
are many ways in
which that can be
done, for example
through social
housing.
"If we don't have
the scenic then we
are going to have to
give back something
else. The scenic was
a fantastic
opportunity to give.
If we lived in a
world where a listed
structure could
catch fire and then
English Heritage
would just go away,
it would be a very
strange world
indeed. I can see
why people might
think that something
burning down would
be convenient but we
are really hacked
off."
Mr Hunter said his
company's plans had
involved sinking the
railway into tanks
of water and
illuminating it to
create a pier
effect, adding: "The
ride can only be
open 150 days a year
and the rest of the
time it sits on the
ground looking very
dull. By putting it
'under water' and
illuminating it, we
were creating
something that would
complement the
shopping and homes
we hope to build."
Thanet council has
said it can be
rebuilt and
everything should be
done to ensure that
happens. Council
leader Sandy Ezekiel
said: "We are
determined that, if
possible, the scenic
railway should be
rebuilt as soon as
possible and we
would expect the
owners to do just
that."
Detectives are
appealing for
witnesses and anyone
with any information
to contact them at
Margate police
station on 01843
222076 or
Crimestoppers on
0800 555111.
-
What are your
memories of the
scenic railway
and what do you
think should
happen next? Let
Thom Morris know
on 01843 578994
or email
thom.morris@krnmedia.co.uk
WHAT A ROLLER
COASTER RIDE
-
DREAMLAND opened
in Margate in
1920 on the site
of a seafront
zoo and gardens.
It was owned by
showman CC
Bartram and
businessman John
Henry Iles who
owned rights to
the Scenic
Railway, one of
a number
operating at
that time.
Following Iles'
bankruptcy in
1938 after an
unsuccessful
flirtation with
the film
industry,
Dreamland was
taken over by
his son Eric but
soon closed
following the
outbreak of the
Second World
War. It reopened
on June 6 1946
with the help of
money from Billy
Butlin, who was
chairman of
Dreamland from
1946 to 1950.
In the 1980s,
the park was
taken over by
the Bembom
Brothers who
turned the area
into a
white-knuckle
theme park,
drawing two
million visitors
a year as a
pay-on-entry
park. It was the
second most
popular
amusement park
in the UK beaten
only by Alton
Towers. Its name
reverted to
Dreamland, the
park was bought
by Jimmy Godden
in 1995 with the
help of an EU
grant of more
than £800,000.
Mr Godden
refurbished the
entire park,
including the
Scenic Railway,
and removed many
rides including
the big wheel
and the
traditional
water chute.
-
The Scenic
Railway opened
on July 3 1920
and was the
oldest operating
roller coaster
in the UK, one
of only two
scenic railways
still existing
of the 38 built
in the UK. The
other, at the
Pleasure Beach
in Great
Yarmouth, was
built in 1932.
A scenic railway
does not have
under-track
wheels, the
trains run in
troughs which
limits the speed
and steepness of
drops. The ride
also has a
brakeman who
sits on an
elevated seat
between cars one
and two.
In January 2003
the owners
announced the
park was to
close as it was
no longer
profitable but
the railway has
run every year
since. With the
exception of the
1939-45 wartime
period, it has
operated every
summer season
since 1920. In
2003 it carried
30,000
passengers. In
March 2002 the
railway gained
grade II listed
status.
-
BBC TV's Only
Fools and Horses
1989 Christmas
special, titled
The Jolly Boys
Outing, was
filmed in
Margate and
featured
extensive
footage of the
cast enjoying
Dreamland's
attractions.
Roger Lloyd
Pack, who played
Trigger in the
comedy show,
joined the Save
Dreamland
campaign in
2003.
A tragedy unfolds
There were anger and
tears as hundreds of
people watched
Margate's famous
Scenic Railway go up
in flames after it
was set on fire by
arsonists on Monday.
Onlookers gathered
along the length of
Belgrave Road and
behind the metal
fencing that
surrounds the car
park to witness the
UK's oldest roller
coaster collapse.
People visibly
distressed clasped
mobile phones to
their ears to let
people know what was
happening and shot
videos and took
pictures as the
smell of burning
wood filled the air.
Firemen from Margate
arrived at the scene
at 4.45pm and
battled the blaze
for six hours.
Watch manager Joe
Rolfe said: "It was
very intense and
very high, and
blistered the pumps.
"The biggest problem
was that the water
pressure around that
area is very poor
and it took a long
time to get water
onto the fire.
"We set up a water
relay to increase
the pressure near
the fire.
"We managed to get a
fire break in the
middle and saved the
left-hand side,
otherwise the whole
thing would have
gone."
Among those first on
the scene were Sarah
Vickery and Dave
Collard, part of the
Save Dreamland
Campaign.
Shaking, and with
tears in her eyes,
Sarah said: "There
are people keeping
an eye on it but
obviously that did
no good and the
first I knew of it
was about 5.20pm. I
could see the flames
and the smoke and I
saw the station
catch fire.
"Fires in Margate
are not a rare
occurrence and it's
not the first time
I've been told the
Scenic was on fire
so I was a bit
sceptical at first.
But as soon as we
saw the smoke from
the seafront we both
knew it was the
Scenic. I must admit
I cried.
"We'll have to wait
to see how much
damage there is and
whether or not we
can rebuild. But if
we could, it would
run into hundreds of
thousands I would
have thought."
As the air filled
with sirens and
thick plumes of
black smoke, crews
headed to the scene
from as far away as
Herne Bay and
Ashford. About 60
firemen tackled the
blaze.
At 5.30pm the top of
the rollercoaster,
which opened on July
3 1920, collapsed
slowly to ashes,
leaving about
two-thirds of the
wooden structure
intact.
The train shed was
gutted and the three
railway cars and
carriages from the
1920s, believed to
be the only original
scenic railway
trains in the UK,
have been lost.
The structure was
meant to have been a
centrepiece in the
regeneration plans
for the Dreamland
site.
Steve Broadhurst
from Probe Security,
the company that
looks after the
site, said: "We
didn't see anything
during the day."
Scenic fire 'a
crying shame'
Retired BBC props
master Victor Young,
56, from Margate,
said: "I'm not
surprised. I thought
it was on the cards.
Every time I went
past there was more
and more rubbish
around. To me, no
one appeared
bothered and now it
has mysteriously
caught alight. The
scenic railway is
like an antique. It
should be restored
and rebuilt."
Dave Collard was
brakeman on the ride
and watched with a
professional eye:
"Half of the ride
has gone. The
workshop and station
have gone which is
where all the trains
would have been.
"There are lots of
comments about what
started it, though
there's nothing to
prove anything, of
course.
"We'll have to wait
and see how bad the
extent of the damage
is. We need to see
what the cause is
before we can think
about what can be
done next."
Thanet councillor
Alasdair Bruce said:
"The Cutty Sark
suffered a similar
fate but I think
feelings are more
mixed here. It's a
crying shame."
Loved ride had
global status
Tony Francis, from
Margate, writes:
“Despite a spate of
text messages
stating that
‘organisers have
admitted that
diverting the
Olympic torch
through Dreamland in
Margate was a
mistake’, really the
people of Margate
standing under that
awful black cloud
were far from happy.
“Council leader
Sandy Ezekiel has
already said he
wants to see the
scenic railway
rebuilt. This huge,
famous and loved
structure was
recognised as having
worldwide historical
importance by
English Heritage and
protected for so
many good reasons.
Firstly because it
is one of only three
surviving in the
world (the others in
Australia and
Denmark), but for
those that
experienced it, the
memorable ride, not
computer-operated
like modern ‘theme’
rides, but that
whole shaking,
rumbling wooden
terror supposedly
‘controlled’ by the
brakeman pulling on
his lever. People
came from other
countries to ride
it. To see the same
firemen who soaked
it to protect it
during the burning
of Antony Gormley’s
Waste Man now
helpless, facing the
arrogant flames and
choking smoke of an
arsonist, was
gutting. This pride
of Margate was
extensively and
diligently repaired
after damage in
1949, before it was
listed – and it
should be again, at
the centre of the
Margate fun fair as
it always was and as
the people want it
to be.”
Gerry O’Donnell,
from Ramsgate,
writes: “There
should be a forensic
investigation into
the fire that
partially destroyed
Margate’s historic
and Grade II roller
coaster. Thanet has
been blighted by too
many substantial
fires in recent
years. These cannot
be held, any more,
to be acts of god
and/or accident,
without intensive
assessment.”
Rail blaze brings
sadness – but hope
for the future
Kayley Purrett,
a 19-year-old
student at
Canterbury College
who lives in
Arlington House
flats overlooking
the old Dreamland
site, captured
events on her mobile
phone.
She said: "We didn't
see it start but our
neighbour said there
was a fire and we
looked out and saw
the smoke billowing.
It's a terrible
thing to see that
gaping hole left.
"My grandmother,
Lily Purrett, used
to ride on the
scenic railway in
the 1940s before she
moved here. She
passed away three
years ago so it's
really sad that it
has gone. It was
very moving watching
it go.
"If it was an
accident it was
horrible, but if it
was arson it's
disgusting. It's a
piece of history
gone up in smoke."
Claire Blackwell,
29, from Margate,
wrote: "I felt
compelled to write
to you after the
fire at the Scenic
Railway. As a
resident in Margate
and a regular
visitor when I was a
child, I was shocked
and saddened by the
fire. I am so
relieved that we
have not lost the
railway entirely.
"It looks like about
50-60 per cent has
been lost so there
is a chance that it
could be rebuilt.
"I would just like
to voice my opinion
and show my support
for the re-building
of the railway.
Margate must
preserve every
single bit of its
history and this is
such an important
part."
An anonymous comment
from a Westbrook
resident echoes many
people's feelings:
"On my way home I
saw the palls of
smoke over Margate.
Personally, I was
not surprised that
the Scenic Railway
was on fire.
"I'm surprised that
the fire took hold
so quickly given the
amount of rain we've
had recently. One
would have thought
that the old timbers
would have been
quite damp?
"I really think
questions need to be
asked and proper
investigations need
to take place as to
the number of fires
happening in Thanet
and particularly in
the case of the
Scenic Railway, a
Grade II listed
building.
"I would like to see
any perpetrators
investigated, bought
to justice and made
to pay for any
reconstruction
work."
J R Hughes of
Lewis Crescent,
Margate, wrote: "On
Monday evening, I
and crowds of other
people witnessed the
passing of an old
friend.
"Thanet council
should now put a
total block on all
development plans.
The future of
Dreamland should now
be given back to the
people to decide.
"I will be very
surprised and very
sad if the people of
Margate let this one
get swept under the
carpet."
Former Thanet
resident Sarah
Kenning wrote
from London:
"Accident or not,
anywhere else -
where councils care
about their town's
heritage more than
they care about
milking their assets
for all they are
worth - the Scenic
Railway would have
been better
protected.
"The Grade II listed
roller coaster was
of tremendous
importance
historically and
culturally. For all
its talk of
regeneration Thanet
council did little
to safeguard the one
lasting symbol of
Margate's heyday.
"Was there CCTV
monitoring on the
derelict site? Was
there a sprinkler
system? It was made
of wood - Duh.
Anything within a
one-mile radius of
Marine Terrace is a
known fire risk.
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