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Obscure UK Parks

Wow, that is very sad news. I remember a time when I was too scared to even ride the Hornet! Concerning for the park's future as well; I can understand their concerns over getting replacement parts for new rides but removing such rides is bound to impact on visitor numbers.
 
Does Currys Fun Park/Barrys as it once was in Portrush here in NI count as obscure, or even a park? It was literally the only place in Ireland with permanent rides up until Tayto/Emerald Park opened. A few flats, an old Pinfari, dodgems, a terrifying ghost train and the smell of popcorn and candy floss filled the hall. I was once violently ill on a magic carpet ride there, pocket money flying from my pockets. Good times.
 
cloudburster said:
Does Currys Fun Park/Barrys as it once was in Portrush here in NI count as obscure, or even a park? It was literally the only place in Ireland with permanent rides up until Tayto/Emerald Park opened. A few flats, an old Pinfari, dodgems, a terrifying ghost train and the smell of popcorn and candy floss filled the hall. I was once violently ill on a magic carpet ride there, pocket money flying from my pockets. Good times.
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That was in an episode of Derry Girls!
 
Matt N said:
Flambard’s in Cornwall have closed most of their thrill rides, including the Hornet, their one roller coaster, with immediate effect: https://www.flambards.co.uk/important-ride-update

These rides will be removed from the site imminently. The park will be temporarily closing from 10th June and reopening on 1st July to “prepare for the summer and make some exciting updates”.
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I can't believe but am not surprised that the same thing has happened to Flambards as with Lightwater Valley in 2021. 😱😱😱

I understand both parks were owned by the same company before Brighton Pier bought Lightwater out... This seems to be a very similar move.
 
Hornet was a solid kids coaster. Its very worrying for the park as many just won't see any point in going now. They really should have had replacements lined up if they actually intend to replace them. I think they may have entered the Camelot death spiral
 
Relife said:
Hornet was a solid kids coaster. Its very worrying for the park as many just won't see any point in going now. They really should have had replacements lined up if they actually intend to replace them. I think they may have entered the Camelot death spiral
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I'm worried this might be the case. You don't just close four rides mid-season if you don't have replacements lined up or have another solid reason for doing so. I have many memories of visiting Flambards as a child (including an evac off the flume's lift hill during my first visit in September 1999 when it stopped during a torrential downpour), and I'll be really sad if it ends up closing.
 
cloudburster said:
I haven't watched it but makes perfect sense, it was a Norn Irish institution! All we knew for so long was Barrys and coach trips to M&Ds.
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Totally off topic but WATCH IT! Derry Girls is just brilliant.

Back on topic before I get in trouble - Flambards closing all those rides just as Cornwall hits the summer season is not a good sign. I feel for their staff dealing with some not so happy customers over the coming months.
 
owenstreet7 said:
I can't believe but am not surprised that the same thing has happened to Flambards as with Lightwater Valley in 2021. 😱😱😱

I understand both parks were owned by the same company before Brighton Pier bought Lightwater out... This seems to be a very similar move.
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Yeh, Livingstone Leisure - then they sold Lightwater Valley the next season. Pretty infuriating for enthusiasts, as I don’t think the new owners would have removed the thrill rides.

Seems the same is happening here. They sell the most valuable assets, then will sell the park… must make more money doing it this way. Such a shame.
 
Skyscraper said:
Apparently the log flume is going too, there will literally just be kids rides left 🤦‍♂️
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The park is sadly done, it's reputation is in tatters with the locals. There's no coming back, they have niether the money or means to to revitalise the park. It was a small park to begin with, now it's a small park with a small number of kiddy rides. It will likely close and be sold to a housing developer.
 
rob666 said:
Planning, planning, planning!
Camelot says hello, a decade on...no houses, no change of use planning.
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That's because the site is Greenbelt and lacks the infrastructure for a large housing development. Flambards doesn't have those issues, it's clear what's happening now is asset stripping.
 
Thunderbolt (the Super Star from Flambards) has thankfully been purchased and is going to be back on the fair circuit with Evan Moran Jnr after a refurbishment.

Positive that it’s staying in operation, but it does lay sway to the thinking it was an asset stripping operation.
 
Leigh said:
Thunderbolt (the Super Star from Flambards) has thankfully been purchased and is going to be back on the fair circuit with Evan Moran Jnr after a refurbishment.

Positive that it’s staying in operation, but it does lay sway to the thinking it was an asset stripping operation.
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I note that it requires works before it can go on tour.
 
There's been a few comments about the closure of Hornet, has anyone here done both that and Vol d'Icare at Asterix? I've only done the latter and it's absolutely dreadful compared with other Zierers of a similar size, so I was wondering if the Flambards one was significantly better for some reason or if it's mainly a nostalgia thing
 
John said:
There's been a few comments about the closure of Hornet, has anyone here done both that and Vol d'Icare at Asterix? I've only done the latter and it's absolutely dreadful compared with other Zierers of a similar size, so I was wondering if the Flambards one was significantly better for some reason or if it's mainly a nostalgia thing
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It's fine, except the very end where it snaps you in half.
 
John said:
There's been a few comments about the closure of Hornet, has anyone here done both that and Vol d'Icare at Asterix? I've only done the latter and it's absolutely dreadful compared with other Zierers of a similar size, so I was wondering if the Flambards one was significantly better for some reason or if it's mainly a nostalgia thing
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Violent at the brake run (even moreso than le hornet) but largely similar, although I find it on par with a Tivoli Large in terms of overall layout. For me it's the nostalgia of it, but also it's such a unique model as well.

I like the layout as a family coaster - it's big but not intimidating.
 
As expected, Flambards are "aiming to introduce rides for the younger market going forward".
A theme park in Cornwall says it is planning new rides for young people days after it announced the closure of several of its rides.
Flambards Theme Park in Helston announced the closure of a number of its rides on Wednesday and said the reason was the "ongoing shortage" of specialist parts for maintenance.
"We can’t go into any details at this stage but Flambards’ aim is to introduce new rides that are more suited to the younger market going forward," a spokesman said on Friday.
Helston's mayor, Paul Kenchington, said that while "some people" said the theme park would close, he believed it "is here and it'll stay".
Flambards announced a temporary closure from 10 June until 1 July as the machinery was removed and a reduced ticket price when it reopened.
Mr Kenchington told the BBC: "It did come out of the blue, however, you have to remember that last year there was an incident at Flambards where the Health and Safety Executive had to be involved, a ride was taken offline because it was getting worn."
"I know that some people are saying it's just a big plan for Flambards to close. I don't think it is," he said.

On Wednesday Flambards told season ticket holders that those who had visited less than three times since March would receive a partial refund.
However, on Friday a spokesperson clarified the situation for season ticket holders.
They said passholders that continued to visit the park would be eligible for a £20 refund and free kart track rides for the rest of the season.
They added that if they wanted to cancel their passes, they would receive a full refund.

He said people continued to want "great days out" over the summer months.
Mr Donoghue said: "While this is a temporary blip, we're looking at being optimistic for the rest of the year."
Malcolm Bell, the executive chair of Visit Cornwall, also viewed the positives of the situation.
He said: "It is a shame that they have had to reduce the rides but they will be reopening at a lower price and provide an all-weather family attraction."
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www.bbc.co.uk

Flambards Theme Park in Helston planning new rides - BBC News

Flambards says it is aiming to offer new rides for younger visitors after announcing ride closures.
www.bbc.co.uk www.bbc.co.uk
 
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