Dreamlan
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MARGATE
Save Dreamland Update December 2013
2,300 PEOPLE ATTEND DREAMLAND OPEN GATE EVENT
At mid-day on 16 November 2013 Dreamland Trust chairman Nick Laister cut the
ribbon and allowed the public to take back Dreamland at a special open gate event.
During the day we welcomed over 2,300 lovely people to the Dreamland site in just
three hours! Plus a large contingent of classic and vintage vehicle enthusiasts gathered
in the events area to show their support for Dreamland. Everyone was allowed to walk
underneath the Scenic Railway and into the heart of Dreamland, areas that have not
been open to the public for seven years.
Visitors could meet the Dreamland Trust team and sign up as volunteers. They
could have their photo taken sitting on Whip cars from Blackpool, plant a seed for
Dreamland, view the plans and see models of Dreamland from the 1960s. There was
music, vintage clothing, pantomime characters and live music. Souvenir newspapers
were on sale for £ 1, providing information on the history of Dreamland and the rides
that will form Phase I of the project.
In the evening, a special auction was held, selling artwork donated by well-
known people such as Tracey Emin and Vic Reeves. Numerous celebrities were in
attendance in the evening, including Brenda Blethyn, Vic Reeves, Nancy Sorrell, Janet
Street-Porter, John Challis and others. The Dreamland Trust's creative designer
Wayne Hemingway gave an opening talk before handing over to TV auctioneer Mark
Stacey. This was followed by a party at Morgans, Margate's new vintage dance hall. In
all, an estimated £25,000 (less costs) was raised towards the Dreamland Visitor and
Learning Centre, which will open next spring.
A big thank you goes to everyone who contributed toward the events. Both
events were a tremendous success and would not have happened without the
enthusiasm and generosity of our partners, contributors, sponsors, supporters and
volunteers - Dreamland is firmly on the map and we are full steam ahead for a 2015
opening!
Generally traders in the old town reported a busier than usual mid-November
Saturday and businesses along the seafront, toward the station, also benefited from the
extra footfall the Dreamland events created.
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