I’d like to ask you your thoughts about two of Pleasure Beach’s much missed operating attractions if I may?

First of all Noah’s Ark..

The Noah's Ark is a wonderful site and traditionally marks the entrance to the Pleasure Beach. It was built in 1922 by the legendary Bill Strickler, a highly talented Amusement Park Engineer. Bill constructed three for the Company - the other two being at Morecambe Pleasure Park and Southport Pleasureland. Tragically Bill fell from the scaffolding as the Pleasureland model neared completion and sadly died of his injuries. He is buried at Layton Cemetery in Blackpool.

The Southport Ark lost in a fire in 1977 and the Morecambe Ark was demolished after the closure of Frontierland.

The only other Noah's Ark I have seen was at Kennywood, Pittsburg Pennsylvania. It is a while since I visited that wonderful park, but as far as I am aware it is still open.

Meanwhile, as it rapidly approaches its 100th Birthday, it will continue to serve as a unique and very attractive entrance feature.

...and a much missed favourite ride of many people, The Virginia Reel...

I am very pleased that you have asked about The Reel. I always feature the ride at the start of my Historical Tours of Pleasure Beach as we meet in the Foyer to The Globe Theatre precisely upon the site of the Reel Station.

The 'Virginia Reel', as was its full title (named after the daughter of the designer) was a superb compact roller coaster. The secret of its success was in the circular carriages. The ride was fast and furious and the cornering tight so the carriage thundered down the zig zag track at a fair rate of knots before disappearing into a dark tunnel under the ride as the finale. The carriages span around at every corner changing rotation as it went. As there was nothing to hold on to in front of them, riders had to hang on to the rail around the carriage, but behind them - so they had both arms outstretched. This was great, and riders would ensure that the seating arrangement was always boy/girl/boy/girl!

However, back to the secret of success. The riders were facing one another across the carriage and laughing at each other laughing - and hanging on, for that matter. Any ride with a circular carriage would generate this same hilarity (witness the Turtle Chase of about the same era) but The Reel did it best.

A lot of patience went into the ride to keep it going from 1922 until 1984 when eventually it wore out. My office looked out right onto the Station so I did not miss the noise of the ride in the Summer months when my windows were open, but I did miss the ride enormously - and I know that others do too.

Arrow designed a new Reel using, from memory, a wooden frame with tubular steel track, but I don't remember any being sold. I would welcome a new Reel to Pleasure Beach with open arms. Fingers crossed!

There is plenty of Newsreel footage (no pun intended) on YouTube not only from the early days but through the War and the 50s. Readers who do not know the ride should look it up. They will soon see what I mean by "hilarity".

How did the deaths of Geoffrey and his mother affect yourself personally and the overall running of the park in general?

Whilst the Thompson family own the Pleasure Beach, they always attracted a very loyal and dedicated team throughout the entire operation, sometimes employing two or even three generations of other families! This is not surprising. Mrs Thompson came to Pleasure Beach every day until two weeks before she died at the great age of 101. Geoffrey was a born leader who spent many, many hours out on the park exuding passion and enthusiasm for the business.

It was this sense of ownership of the brand which essentially guaranteed that the entire team would rally around and carry the business through the dark days after the deaths of Mrs Thompson and Geoffrey. It ensured that the business remained on a very steady course until Amanda and Nick, both already very experienced, took over the reigns and steered the company forward and to where it is today - with another mega coaster on the way!

I still miss them both. I enjoyed the privilege of meeting with Mrs Thompson most days and she would tell me so much of the history of the park over lunch. I share many of those titbits with those who join my Historical Tours. She was a simply wonderful lady. Geoffrey was my leader, my mentor and my friend. I joined Pleasure Beach because of him - I was bowled over by his infectious enthusiasm. I admired and worked very hard for him and in return he made me the man I am today. I have so much to thank him for.

DAVID E CAM DL BA, Barrister CURRICULUM VITAE Brought up and educated in Blackpool, David Cam first started work at Pleasure Beach in 1971 as a 16 year old school boy selling hot dogs, burgers and ice-cream. For successive summer holidays he worked in the catering, ride operations and treasury departments. Having completed his Law Degree in 1978 he stayed on at Blackpool Pleasure Beach for his ‘gap’ year in the capacity of Personal Assistant to the Managing Director. This fascinating experience gave him an insight into all aspects of the Management of this extraordinarily complex and diverse business operation. In October 1979 he returned to full time education at the Inns of Court School of Law in High Holborn, and was subsequently called to the Bar of the Middle Temple. Having accepted the position of Assistant Company Secretary, David immediately left to study the Amusement Park industry in America. He spent the summer season working for Elitch Gardens, Denver, Colorado and the following three months driving to visit every substantial amusement park in some 23 states. In early 1981 he returned to Blackpool and assumed responsibility for all legal, property, insurance and administrative matters including advising on Health and, Safety, Licensing Planning and all quasi-governmental issues. In January 1985 David Cam was promoted to Company Secretary and awarded Directorships in various operating companies with additional responsibility for, inter alia, Human Resources and external affairs. He is Past Chairman of the British Association of Leisure Parks Piers Attractions (BALPPA), Past Director of the Association of Leading Visitor Attractions (ALVA), Past President of Europarks (the European Parks Association), Past Director of both Blackpool Enterprise Board and Lancashire and Blackpool Tourist Board, and was a member of the Government Relations Committee of the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions. He is currently Under Sheriff of the County Palatine of Lancaster, an Honorary post dating back 1400 years, and a Deputy Lieutenant of the County of Lancashire. He is married to Jin Ee and lives with her in Lytham. He enjoys roller coaster riding, classic cars and is a member of Royal Lytham and St Anne’s Golf Club.