RCCGB FORUM

David Ellis · Posted: Sat Jun 28, 2008 3:41 pm Post subject: Summer Bash

Just back from the summer bash...ok, fair enough, I only live 10 miles away, so I guess I was likely to be the first one to post!

The sun behaved itself today and gave us all a great day, spent at the Pleasure Beach and also for most of the group, some time to sample the unique pleasures of Joyland (the Tubs, the Snails, and the Spook Express).

The ERS started 15 minutes early, so we got a whopping 75 minutes to enjoy the Roller Coaster, the only currently operating scenic railway coaster in the UK.

Susan decided to lay in bed today(!), so my daughter Sarah (from my first marriage) joined me for the trip. It was great to catch up with a few people I hadn't seen for a while, and to meet a few new faces too.

All in all, a nice laid-back day of fun.

David.
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World Record Holder Naked Coaster Rider

coaster-andy · Posted: Sat Jun 28, 2008 6:52 pm Post subject:

Well I tried to be the first to post by David beat me to it. Anyway just to add to this report it was one of the fun days which I have had at Yarmouth.
I just wanted to add that Thomas & Charlotte-Emily enjoyed there first ride on the Scenic Rollercoaster even if Charlotte-Emily tried to sleep when it was going around. The ERS was great as well a good length.
We did Joylands as well and them Tubs are just mad Thomas could not stop laughing all the way around. A few new credits as well so a lovely day and we also enjoyed the Sealife Center.
I just want to thank all involved in the trip.
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El Toro My 200th coaster and first USA coaster (Also member of roll back club on TTD 2)
RCCGB Member NO 1960

Andy Hine MBE · Posted: Sun Jun 29, 2008 1:07 am Post subject:

Just got back from Summer Bash - goodnight! Laughing

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Nimmykins · Posted: Sun Jun 29, 2008 12:44 pm Post subject:

I hope you all had a great time.
Wish I had been able to go.
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Sarah
RCCGB member - 2132

Plus four travelling coasters including Olympia Looping and Eurostar.

Happy Helen · Posted: Sun Jun 29, 2008 2:53 pm Post subject:

Hope you all enjoyed it.

Would love to have been there.

frosty · Posted: Sun Jun 29, 2008 7:51 pm Post subject:

Another club trip and another enjoyable day out.

As mentioned, we were lucky to get an extended ERS on the Roller Coaster. The best thrills were gained from the back seat which gave a reasonable and surprising amount of air-time.

As well as spending time at the Pleasure Beach taking in the attractions on offer, those at Joyland just had to be tried. The tubs were very enjoyable but seemed a tight squeeze with only three of us in the tub - just how did they squeeze in the famous and respected 'Tyrolean 7'!

Later in the day came a round of crazy golf where Nev and Mark both demonstrated their prowess at getting holes in one.

Unfortunately the park closed quite early, so a large group of us went off for a well deserved drink and chat at a nearby pub. Some time later a few headed home whilst those remaining made our way to a Chinese restaurant offering an all you can eat buffet. It's amazing how much you can squeeze in past the 'I'm full' point.

To those who made their way to Pleasurewood Hills on Sunday, I hope you had a great time getting those extra ticks in.

I've placed a selection of pictures on facebook. Unfortunately Facebook limits the size and quality of photo's that have been uploaded. If anyone wants a higher quality picture, let me know.

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php...93815&id=721160212#pid=993815
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Steve
Member of 'non rollback' Stratacoaster club 06/08

stevencaine · Junior Hyper Poster Joined: 07 Oct 2007 Posts: 133

Thanks for a great day at the bash the weather was spot on must re-visit Great yarmouth and indeed do pleausure hills one day,Liked the rollercoaster not the fastest one ive ridden but still a nice coaster and i did ride it once for you Stevie B,
Joyland is just fun what a great little park Wink

So likeing the tubs and the snails cant wait to get back there see all you at Oakwood(camp site)

stealth fan · Posted: Mon Jun 30, 2008 3:47 pm Post subject:

Well, another great club trip. Had a great day at the Pleasure Beach and Joyland. Was great to get back on Top Thrill Snails, get crammed with Nev and 2 others in the Tubs.
Thanks to Nev for organising the trip, and a huge thanks to Mother Nature, who gave us a very pleasant day Laughing

Did I mention I got 4 holes in one on the crazy golf course. Laughing

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Don't look at me, I'm just Human
http://uk.youtube.com/user/andyknight1
Member of the Stealth Rollback society

The Judge · Posted: Mon Jun 30, 2008 6:03 pm Post subject:

Fanks for a great bash nev.
First time for me at Great Yarmouth
super extra long ERS on the scenic railway, got my little girls on it charlotte at 2 years old had the widest eyes and the whitest knuckles ive ever seen. Alicia just had the FEAR but still managed 2 goes. I think the snails where ace and the tubs where just plain crazy.great weather and great company made a great day. finished the weekend off at pettits animal park then pleasurewood hills just for the ticks you understand. but the kids loved it. definatley will return. Seey'all at Camp Oakwood. Sarah,Andy,Alicia,Charlotte
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life moves too fast. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you just might miss it.

stealth fan · Posted: Mon Jun 30, 2008 7:54 pm Post subject:

Small video from the day is now online, just click on the link in my sig.
Forgot to mention the full capacity ride on the Log Flume when Nev and co, and me and Mum came back from Joyland and Mini Golf. Charlotte Hine was in the front, me behind, the next 2 people, sorry I can't remember your names and Cristine Hine in the back. I'm sure the footage will make the Yearbook Laughing

. Just a couple of questions,

1 How come the smallest drop on the Flume was the wettest?
2 Who on earth puts sea water in a log flume? Shocked

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Don't look at me, I'm just Human
http://uk.youtube.com/user/andyknight1
Member of the Stealth Rollback society

frosty · Posted: Mon Jun 30, 2008 8:43 pm Post subject:

I believe the order from back to front was Christine, Debra Boggis, James Dove, you, and Charlotte in front. The photo taken by the rides camera was really great - one of the better on-ride park photo's.
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Steve
Member of 'non rollback' Stratacoaster club 06/08

stealth fan · Posted: Tue Jul 01, 2008 7:26 pm Post subject:

Cheers for confirming that Frosty. One of the best positioned cameras on any log flume imo.
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Don't look at me, I'm just Human
http://uk.youtube.com/user/andyknight1
Member of the Stealth Rollback society

AndyT · Posted: Fri Jul 04, 2008 8:01 am Post subject: summer bash - thanks

I would like to thank you all for being so welcoming on my first trip. I will definitly attend more in the future.

I had a great time. I have added a write up and some pictures to my flickr account.

All the best.

AndyT
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http://www.flickr.com/photos/andytaylor1234567

Coaster Clare · Posted: Fri Jul 04, 2008 11:35 am Post subject:

Glad to here you enjoyed your first trip.

Pics are cool. Nice to see my son enjoying the roller coaster!

Clare Wright Very Happy

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Coaster Clare

Nemesis Nick · Kiddie Poster Joined: 04 Apr 2008 Posts: 19 Location: Bath

RCCGB Summer Bash 2008 at Great Yarmouth Pleasure Beach
This year the RCCGB decided to hold the Summer Bash at Great Yarmouth Pleasure Beach. This was a break from the tradition that has arisen the past four years, holding it at a fairground or theme park which has just opened a new (or new second-hand) ride.

For me a trip from Bath to Great Yarmouth and back in a day would have been impossible, therefore I travelled there by train on Friday, and stayed two nights at a guest house in Great Yarmouth. Saturday morning I decided to have beans on toast for breakfast, as a full English would perhaps have been a bit risky before riding Roller Coaster etc.

I left the guest house where I was staying shortly after breakfast and walked towards the Pleasure Beach, taking loads of pictures along the way. My first sighting of other members was by the flower beds between Carlton Hotel and the Pleasure Beach. I arrived at the Main Gate to the Pleasure Beach with time to spare for the official arrival time of 10am. Several other members were there too.

Andy appeared and welcomed those of us who were there. He said we can go in now to get have our wrist bands fitted, and the ERS on Roller Coaster would now start early at 10:15, rather than 10:30 as intended.

The ERS
This was on the wooden coaster “Roller Coaster”, and ran from 10:15 until the park opening time of 11:30. In one and a quarter hours, I clocked up eight goes on this coaster. Several of my goes I was sitting next to Frosty. My ride position varied between goes, on my second go I sat in the second from front row, where as on my third go, I was with Frosty in the back row. As expected, the closer to the back you are, the more AIRtime you get. The back row, in my experience, gives the most AIRtime.

Normal Opening Time

Sky Drop
A vertical drop ride. Naturally enough I was a bit nervous before my first go. When the seating gondola reached the top, I thought there would be a whoosh drop, but there wasn’t. It went up and down a few times. The final descent was very gentle towards the end.

After one go, I felt sure I could handle a second go with no ill effects, so had a second go. However after that, I left the ride with the feeling “two’s company, three’s a crowd”. I think two goes at once was enough, three straight off might have been pushing my luck a bit.

Fun House
I joined Frosty and several other members to take over the Fun House. Everyone was issued with 3D specs at the entrance. Inside it was rather dimly lit, and there were several moving platforms and bridges dotted about the place. I wondered what the 3D specs were for. Without them I saw a row of stars painted on a wall, with the specs some appeared in front of others. Eventually I made it all the way around the Fun House without stumbling over.

Dodgems
The traditional funfair favourite, dodgems, aka bumper cars. It’s years since I last drove a bumper car. This was my only go on the dodgems today.

Wild Thing
Seats on spokes. The seats go round and round about the centre, and also the seats rise up and down automatically. I rode this with Mark Blundell. He sat on the outside, and I sat on the inside. Consequently he got squashed whilst the ride was in motion. I asked him if he wanted another go, so we could swap positions, but he wanted to go on something else at the time. This is a fast, fun ride.

Twister
Anyway, I decided to go for the Twister next. I first went on a ride like this at Weymouth when I was a boy, about 5 or 6 years old, only there it happened to be called Cyclone. Another fast and fun ride.

Wild Thing
My second go on this for today, this time solo. Naturally enough then I was automatically pushed to the outside as the ride was in motion. Frosty tried to take several photos of me on the ride.

Mulan
Some might call this the caterpillar ride. This was my first time of riding one, though I first saw one like this at a fairground back in the early 1980s. I rode with Frosty, but because I sat on the outside and he inside, I got squashed. It goes round and round, and due to undulations in the track, it also gives up and down motion. About a third of the way through the ride, the canopy is put over the riders, and that is removed about two thirds of the way through.

Disko
A family thrill ride from Zamperla. You sit in a seat on the edge of a large disk facing outwards. The disk spins, whilst simultaneously travelling end to end on the u-bent track several times. An exciting ride, but once at a time is enough for me. I wouldn’t like to risk two goes straight off. I considered returning later, but didn’t get round to a later go after all.

Several other members went to have something to eat from a kiosk near Disko at this point, but I didn’t go as I just didn’t feel like eating anything at this point. I cast aside my usual habit that 12 to 1 ish I must have lunch, and perhaps have a sandwich or similar later in the afternoon if my stomach called for it. Anyway I certainly didn’t want a hot dog and chips now, as I’d already had a cooked breakfast (beans on toast), and was determined to have something cooked this evening.

Evolution
When I first saw this just after the Roller Coaster ERS, I watched this in action and thought “Maybe later”. I was determined to brave a go on this scary ride at some point. The circular platform on which you sit spins. Simultaneously the arm on which it is mounted swings. It was around 1:30 when I returned here after riding Disko.

Log flume
You will get wet, you may get soaked. What sense is there in deliberately getting your clothes soaking wet on the log flume? Some buy those Lite Macs (disposable ponchos) at £1 a piece from the vending machine. However, I’d brought my cagoule and leggings in my rucksack, so put those on.

I got into a log, and noticed there are three rises and falls. The water was frothy, and when I got splashed on landing it tasted salty as some hit my lips. That was the giveaway, that this log flume indeed contained sea water, as I was recently led to believe. This is the first time I’ve seen a log flume filled with sea water. Does anyone know of any other log flumes containing sea water?

At the end of my first go, I got out and walked around to the loading point for a second go. Since there was no queue at the end of my second go, the attendant let me stay in to have a third go without having to leave the ride and re-enter. Having decided three goes was enough, I removed my wet weather clothing.

Pirate ship
The traditional swinging pirate ship, of the sort I’ve been on at Cornwall’s Crealy, Devon’s Crealy and Paultons. For the maximum thrill I would have liked to have sat on an end row, but since those were both full I sat one row in from an end.

At this point I felt peckish at last, so went to the Pleasure Beach Inn for a ham sandwich and coffee.

Monorail
This speaks for itself really. I had one go on this as it was a gentle ride immediately after eating the sandwich.

The time was just after 3pm now. At this point I couldn’t see any other members around the Pleasure Beach. I wondered if I was the only RCCGB member from this trip still in the Pleasure Beach, and everyone else had gone home tired already. Anyway, I carried on riding as there were still some rides I’d not been on yet.

Dream Dancer
More commonly known as the Waltzer. I had two goes on this.

Safari Train
I had one go on this miniature railway. Not much of a ride, but another to tick off the list.

Tube slides
Three tube slides in the south west corner of the Pleasure Beach. As some of you have perhaps gathered, I love slides, from the likes of the two Crealy Parks, Woodlands, Portsmouth and Swansea Playzone and various water slide places I’ve been over the years. Adults are allowed to slide these tube slides, so I was determined to go down them. The three slides resemble snakes, and their exits look like snake heads. One is blue, one green, and one red.

Blue slide: gentle descent, straight slide.
Green slide: gentle descent, but zig-zags a bit.
Red slide: steep drop, then a flat run-out.

This is the order I did them: blue, green, red, red, blue, green, blue, green, red, blue, green, red.

Snails and Fairy Tales
As you expect, you sit in giant snails which run along a track. Part of the course is enclosed under Roller Coaster, and you pass characters from fairy tales. Again, hardly a thrilling ride, but worth riding. I decided to have two goes straight off.

The time was now circa 4:45pm, and I wandered back in the direction of the Safari Train. Unexpectedly I met Derek, Barry, Alan and Saffron together by Roller Coaster. Said I thought I was the only RCCGB member from today’s trip still in the Pleasure Beach by around three o’clock this afternoon.

Said I’d like to ride the Big Apple as I’d not done that yet, but Barry said “Let’s do the real one (Roller Coaster)”. I joined Derek, Barry, Alan and Saffron for the Roller Coaster.

Roller Coaster
Barry had one row to himself, and I had the row in front of him to myself.

After that, I went to ride the Big Apple.

Big Apple
Took back row. Attendant took my photo. Some other RCCGB members got on as well. One ride consisted of three laps. My verdict: tame, less exciting than Hornet Coaster at Flambards. Still it was worth having this one go, just to add it to the list of steelies that I’ve been on.

Wild Thing
Coming off Big Apple, I saw Mark Blundell again. He remembered me from riding Wild Thing earlier today. We decided to ride it together again, only this time me on the outside and he inside. This time I got squashed.

Sky Drop
I wanted to go on Sky Drop before closing time, so I did that next. My third go on here for today. Although I was tempted to have another afterwards, I limited myself to one as I wanted to ride Twister next.

It was now getting perilously close to ride closing time, and Twister was running. I asked the attendant if there would be another go, he replied “Probably not”. Since Wild Thing was stationary and still accepting riders for what would probably be its final run, I went on that instead.

Wild Thing
I rode this solo this time. My final ride on anything in the Pleasure Beach for today.

After Closing Time
I exited the Pleasure Beach at 5:40 and went on the beach to do photograph the scenery. Suddenly I had a brilliant idea: put my rucksack on the beach as a pillow, then lie down. Got someone to take a few photos of me appearing to be sleeping on the beach after a day of fun at the Pleasure Beach. Possible shots for the Snooze Zone in the 2008 Yearbook.

I headed back through the bit between the log flume and the main part of the Pleasure Beach. That in between bit was about to be closed off too. At that point, I met Andy Hine, Barry, Mark Blundell and several others. I had a few pictures taken of me with the others. I’m hoping to send those in for the 2008 Yearbook. After that I joined the said group for a drink at The Marine pub. I finally said goodbye around 7pm.

Well on the whole, another super, mega fun Summer Bash. At least it was a beautiful sunny day this time from start to finish, a far cry from the dismal weather we had at Adventure Island last year. Unlike some members I didn't bother going up to Joyland, as there was plenty to ride at the Pleasure Beach. Did I miss much in avoiding Joyland? Indeed, was the Pleasure Beach wristband valid for Joyland, or did you have to pay separately for Joyland rides?

The Rest Of My Weekend
So you may be curious to know what I got up to the rest of that weekend. I got myself fish and chips from a nearby fish and chip shop, and sat on The Jetty to eat them. To round off my meal, I had a whippy ice cream from the cafe on The Jetty just before it closed. After that I wandered along the beach in the direction of Britannia Pier and eventually returned to my guest house to spend a second night there.

Sunday morning I had a full English breakfast. I left just after 9am and spent about an hour and a half taking video and photos between Britannia Pier and The Jetty. I met Steve (not Frosty) near Joyland around 9:30, and we spoke briefly.

Around quarter to eleven I went into The Marina to go swimming and water-sliding. Fair enough, it only has one water slide, and a really tame one compared to the ones I’ve been on recently at Sedgemoor Splash (Bridgwater), Carn Brea Leisure Centre (Redruth) and Oasis (Newquay), but it was worth sliding all the same. One of my required elements for a holiday / weekend away is to go somewhere that has water slides. I finally left there about half past one.

After that I went up the Tower, and spent about half an hour enjoying the breathtaking views. Finally I managed to fit in half an hour on the Giant Slide on Britannia Pier before collecting my large bag and returning to the station to begin my train journey home to Bath. I got home around 10 that evening.

David Ellis · Posted: Sun Jul 06, 2008 9:59 pm Post subject: