News and Coming Events
Save Dreamland
Back in the March issue of the magazine, I stated that the reopening of Margate's
Dreamland as a heritage amusement park was looking increasingly likely to become a
reality. A recent award of £384,500 by the Heritage Lottery Fund is seen as the first step
toward greater funding, and will enable the campaign to move forward with the project;
part of the money to be used to employ three full time staff.
Meanwhile, another vintage ride has been acquired from Blackpool Pleasure Beach.
Following the acquisition of the Whip last year, the trust has now secured the junior
Whip - thus accommodating all ages! The junior Whip was installed at the Pleasure
Beach in 1927, and is now the last original ride of its kind in this country, since the
example at Southend has apparently been completely rebuilt. (If anyone has details of
the Southend whip and why it was rebuilt, please let me know. Surely its historical
importance must have been known, so why rebuild it)?
I spoke with Nick Laister, chairman of the Dreamland Trust, earlier in the summer,
and he has agreed to write a regular update for the magazine, hopefully starting next
month. In the meantime go to www.savedreamland.co.uk for more information.
It's that time of year again!
The autumn run of slotties' events kicks off with Bonhams sale at Knowle on 29 th
September, which includes a number of slot machines and jukeboxes. And if you've ever
fancied owning a Green Ray, one is on offer in the Knightsbridge sale the following day.
Both sales include many other interesting lots, including radio, television, gramophones,
musical boxes etc. Catalogues for both sales can be viewed online at www.bonhams.com.
Joby Carter's Fairground and Circus auction on 25 th October will no doubt build on
the success of last year's sale, although with the emphasis this time on smaller collectables
and memorabilia, rather than larger fairground rides and transport which seemed difficult
to 'shift' last year. Catalogues are now available at £5, and can be ordered by posting
cheques to: Carters Yard, Grove Park, White Waltham, Maidenhead, Berkshire SL6 3IF,
or telephone 01628 829901 for credit card payments. As yet, there doesn't appear to be
any lot details or pictures online, as there was last year, but it's worth checking the website
for updates at www.cartersentertainment.com.
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