Mechanical Memories Magazine

Dreamland
MARGATE
Save Dreamland Update February 2011
With a New Year crone a whole new episode for Dreamland Margate. Visible work has
now started on-site with the erection of scaffolding on the Grade II* listed cinema
building. This process is now almosl complete and work on the Grade II listed Scenic
Raihvay will start in a matter of weeks. In the case of the Cinema, this work will involve
the assessment of its condition, followed by works to fully refurbish the facade and
lower ground floor, with essential maintenance to ensure that no further damage occurs
to the rest of the building, which is deteriorating rapidly. In the case of the Scenic
Railway, this will involve the complete restoration of the ride to operational condition.
Seeing work commence on site is a major milestone and was a truly fantastic way
to start 2011. January 2011 was exactly eight years since I set up the Save Dreamland
Campaign with tJ1c aim of ensuring that the Dreamland site remains an amusement park
and that its heritage assets are saved for future generations to enjoy. We have come a
long way in these eight years, from a campaigning organisation to a trust that is actually
taking the lead in delivering a revitalized Dreamland. Ibis is one of the best examples I
know of a community actually becoming directly involved in making things happen on
the ground rather than just watching from the side~lines. We still have significant
hurdles to cross, but we are going into 20 t l with the prospect of seeing Dreamland
physically transformed over the next twelve months.
In December we held an excellent event, designed to raise awareness of Dreamland
when the Pinball Parlour came to town. The Dreamland Trust hosted an event at
Margate's Pie Factory featuring vintage pinball tables, jukeboxes and games. Pinball
Parlour in Ran1sgate, which supplied the games, could help us to create a permanent
display of these machines when Dreamland Margate reopens next year.
We have some more great events planned for 2011 at Dreamland so get them in
your diary. First up is the award ,vinning John Lawson's Circus, appearing on the
Dreamland site 2 nd - 6 1 h March. The show, voted Britain's best circus tJ1ree times in the
last five years, will be presenting an all new show for 2011 including acts and artists
never before seen in Margate! Performance times at Dreamland in the heated big top
will be: Wednesday 2 nd - Friday 4 th at 4:30pm and 7:30pm, Saturday 5 th al 2pm and
5pm and Sunday 6 th at 2pm only. All seats are £8 with a special offer of all seats being
£6 at both shows on Wed 2 nd . Ticket office on site daily from Mon 28th Feb or Tel:
07860 49 88 33. Disabled access and parking available.
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