Blackpool Bash 2008

coastergraham · Blackpool Bash 2008

Here is the trip report from today that I posted on BPB guide.

Who went

Me
Caroline
about 250+ RCCGB members

What a stunning day at BPB, words cannot describe just how great it was. You have no right at all to expect to get on so many rides on a Sunday when the weather is decent like it has been today.

We arrived for 10am in plenty of time for the RCCGB Big Dipper ERS, we were led to it in plenty of time for the start of it and one hour later we had completed 12 rides on it. Avalanche was also open for RCCGB members as well but we chose to stay with the Dipper.

After that it was free time on what turned out to be a very quiet day at BPB, it was so quiet that they even took one train PMBO mid afternoon as it really was not needed.

Ride count

Big Dipper - 12
Infusion - 15
PMBO - 6
Steeplechase - 4
Rev - 3
Avalanche - 2
Rollercoaster - 1
Nash - 13
Bling - 1
Derby Racer - 1
Space Invader - 2
Iceblast - 3
Alice ride - 1
Monorail - 1
Zipper dipper - 1

Total rides = 66

Highlights

- Insane white knuckle ride count for a Sunday
- Great fun on the RCCGB ERS
- Seeing faces of GP when they were not allowed on Big Dipper, sorry folks it was ours for the hour Laughing
- Great weather, shame it is still a bit cold though.
- PMBO was running superb today unlike yesterday.

Lowlights

- Only one, no wild mouse

So day 2 of 6 days in one week is over at BPB and what a day, over the weekend we did a total of 106 rides, it does not get better than that.

Nimmykins

A great weekend again. Thanks so much Nev for putting together such a great event.
And Jimmy Cricket too, what a coupe!

Infusion was a pleasant surprise and the show was fantastic.
Ryan, Coaster Police, Heather, Carol and Gareth, you were superb!!!

It was great to see everyone.

Goodwood

Great weekend although a little cold on the face, ears and hands at times.
Jimmy Cricket...hasn't aged one little bit...fantastic, great company all round, Nev's brother...great magic tricks on Saturday evening at the table, Infusion rough on the ears but great in that small space, The Nash sometimes rough, sometimes like it used to be (can we bring back the manual controls and get more rides!?), PMBO...slow but still great first drop, Big Dipper, best in second from last row...got big bruises riding the back seats, Avalanche, gets better each year but why is the station and the storage area always so warm?, Ryan and gang...FAAAANTASTIC! Still can't get the song out of my head...we were even doing the dance at the Langroyd after breakfast!

Thanks to all those members I met and drank with!

Also, big thanks to Nev for organising yet another great Bash...I only wish I'd discovered the club earlier!

Kirk

i'd just like to say after 3 years taking a back seat with the club and not doing trips, this trip really made me happy for my return Smile

i got to see so many old faces who i love so much, and i really thought nimmy stole the show with her amazing singing talents Very Happy

hehe

oblivion

A really brilliant weekend, great seeing everyone again. Got lots of rides in and had a great extension to our weekend at the zoo and funny girls on sunday! Thanks Nev yet again for a fantastic trip! Smile

xxx

frosty

My first club trip and the whole experience was great. It was good to see other club members for the first time.

I managed 5 rides on the PMBO during the ERS and lost count of how many times I rode the Big Dipper & Grand National over the two days. Space Invader, Rollercoaster and Avalanche were also fine but Avalanche would be so much better if it was a much longer ride. Hopefully next year the the Wild Mouse will be running as I've not ridden that yet!

All the novelty rides were also a lot of fun which only adds to the occasion, and the good weather made everything that much more enjoyable.

Both club evenings were fantastic and the black & white show was a blast. A big thanks to all who took part, especially the regulars who help make the show's what they are. For me, highlights have to be the chess and Ukraine tributes. The Ukraine tribute was a masterpiece and a fine act to end the main show on the clubs 20th anniversary.

A big thanks to Nev for all the hard work he's put in over the past 20 years making the club what it is, and to all those that support Nev in this huge task.

Next up - USA 2008.

Mad Mamma C

had a great weekend thanks everybody weather stay nice for us see everybody again soon!

bluea61

Thanks to all for another great weekend and one of the best Blackpool Bash's we've done. The rides were running great and managed to get so much done on what was a nice weekend. Really impressed by Infusion and how well done the ride looks. The show was great and will go down in history with one of the best finales ever!! Chips in a bucket and great laughs with friends.

It was great to see everyone back at the best hotel in blackpool at the bar for a few socialable drinks and a little sing song! Oh and a bit of gambling to. I am the music man.....

Bunnie

Noooooo my really long trip report got deleted...oh well never mind.

Huge thanks to Nev for organising another great Bash.

Steve, Hayley, Adam and Lee....I have one word for you, profiteroles Wink

mophead

After the usual delays on the motorway I arrived just if time to check in before we made our way around to the Paradise room for the show. Jimmy Crickett was fantastic - haven't laughed so much in ages.

The morning ERS on saturday was good but I had to give up after one go on the Big One as my head was too cold. After several goes on the Steeplechase I decided to try Infusion. Everyone else has said how nice and smooth it was so I must have got two bad seats. A ride in the middle of the train was just about bearable and but the follow up on the second row from back almost knocked me out. After the ERS (whilst still seeing stars) we headed for coffee and then off to enjoy the rest of the park. The Grand National was on fantastic form and the ERS was great. The Coaster Crazy show was also great although myself and most of my friends were somewhat baffled by the penitrating russian drama.

Sunday got off to a great start with the fantastic ERS which featured some goes on the Avalanche and many goes on the Big Dipper. We then said goodbye to those who were staying and headed off to Camelot - somewhat of a mistake - It turned out Camelot was having a charity day for ethnic minorities which meant that we all got in for £7 but the place was packed to bursting point. We only managed 3 rides whilst there including a 90 minute wait for Knightmare - the new coaster. This was a fantastic coaster but by the time we finally got on it the heavens opened with a ferocious hail storm. After a quick spin on the other coaster it was time for us to get completely soaked whilst walking back to the car, say goodbye and head for home.

Can't wait to see what Ryan comes up with for next years act!

bradpeet

I have to agree with the general sentiment. It was only my second bash - but the entertainment this time was absolutley superb. Jimmy Cricket has certainly lost nothing, and had me laughing all the way through.

But I am surprised to hear people saying that Infusion was smooth - that was not my opinion. Considering that it has not actually been operating 12 months yet (and it is a new ride, which just uses some components from Traumatiser - that's what it says on the pleasure beach website) I thought it was pretty rough. 2 comparisons come to mind - the contrast with the smoothness of Nemesis, and that in a few years time it will be as rough as Collossus.

Also, am I the only person disappointed by the lack of choice at lunchtime in the Paradise Room? When I asked if there was an alternative to the chicken, I was told "there's pasta for the vegetarians". (Which they then offered me chips with! I thought Amanda was trying to make the place more up market than the town!!!!!)

But these are 'niggles' really. I had a great time at the bash - enhanced by better weather than we had the right to expect.

amigasat

As usual a great bash, well done to Nev.

I've put my photo's from the bash up on my site, so re-live the weekend by checking out the 146 photo's.

For those not staying at The Corona check out Nev's Breakfast Experience!!

My next trip is Flamingoland on the 25th of May, a week before i'm off to the states.

See you on a trip soon........

Dave

bluea61

stealth fan

My TR got deleted aswell.
Anyways, thanks Nev for another great bash. The weather was pretty good for us, the rides were running well, apart from the Mouse, but hey, there's next year.
Also made my 30th birthday on the sunday more fun.

Rough Rider

Someone actually (from the club) put a 27 second video on you tube last night of the ukraine song we did.
Now I can't find it or find it on you tube.
Can anyone post directions on how to see the video again.
Cheers guys
Ryan

bluea61

Nimmy posted this one:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pueg9-BLhXA

Happy Helen

It was a fabulous weekend.

Well done to Nev for organising it.

Hope you all had a great day.

Rough Rider

Bunnie

The weekend entertainment was brilliant, especially Saturday night and the Ukraine song, well done to all those who did it especially Coaster Police for the energetic dance, it must have taken quite some time to learn.

The gong show was good as usual, I mean Deaths act was absolutely stunning, was so impressed Wink

Special mention also to John and Jane at the Langroyd, although we weren't staying there they made us very welcome for drinks and breakfast Very Happy

WildMouse

Fantastic weekend spent among good friends.

Special thanks to Nev for organising the weekends shennanigans, the Blackpool Pleasure Beach staff for providing excellent hospitality as per usual, Fielding's Fish bar for providing stellar grub and well done to all those who had the guts to perform in front of us on Saturday night.

Oh, and thank you Jimmy Cricket for providing many a belly laugh Laughing

Nimmykins

My pictures

http://www.facebook.com/album.php...3925&l=02ff5&id=681476539

http://www.facebook.com/album.php...3928&l=1bbbc&id=681476539

I've put together a few videos so far.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pueg9-BLhXA - A short clip of the Ukraine song, sorry I don't have a proper video camera and this was all I could get on the setting.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D0YQkK80nIM - Reg and I performing a piece of penitrating and dark Russian Theatre (for the original just search You Tube for The Mighty Boosh Pie - The original does contain swearing).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6BBZw3pnTt0 - Jester and I singing our song.

adey

what a great weekend a 3ride ers on sat morning and jimmy cricket on friday night this trip will take some beating.thanks andy Laughing

smiler

All photos are now online on both main site and my other site. Enjoy Very Happy

stealth fan

I now have a video online. Just click the link on my signiture.

Nimmykins

nemesis scribe

The bash weekend - one word AWESOME!!!!!

Had a great weekend with just soooo much happening!!

Great friends, new friends, great coasters, great entertainment, great B&B . . . just a superb weekend.

Profiteroles . . .dont know what you mean haha Wink

Jimy Cricket - awesome

The Ukraine finale - stunning and what a great laugh - that will take some beatin in future years . . . eine zwei drei . . .

Bucket of chips . . . .

Thanks to absolutely everyone!!!

Blackpooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooool

ADamski

P.s. I thought In Fusion was really good and think they have done a great job with it . . . i didnt think i would say that either!!! Smile

Bunnie

Adam I agree with you about Infusion, I really enjoyed it.

By the way....I still have your hat, it's keeping my head warm.

and....profiteroles...I won't mention that big pizza you ate all to yourself....oops I just did Laughing

smiler

Sorry guys heres the links:

http://www.smilers-photos.fotopic.net/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/10803540@N02/sets/

Nimmykins

I also enjoyed Infusion a lot. I found it much smoother than Traumatizer.

frosty

I'm very sad now that I not try Infusion!

Strange that many people say it was really smooth and others say the opposite - on this ride does the seat your in really make that much difference?

butler

The bash was a blast.
Highlights
Friday: has to be Jimmy Cricket. I have not laughed so much in ages. Meeting up with freinds I had not seen in ages and meeting new ones.

Saturday: threatening to throw Death in the Infusion lake as he asked me how deep it was.

Sunday: a nice snooze in the coasch on the way home
Overall the best bit was Ryan and co doing their Ukranian dance.

Butler

stealth fan

Great pics Smiler. I just wish it wasn't over so quick.

Coaster Police

My previous post was deleted too Sad

But i'd just like to say a massive thanks to everyone for all the great comments we received following the Ukraine Danzing act, both in the bar and on here. We are so pleased it went down so well.

I'd like to personally thank Ryan, Mark, Heather, Carol and Guru for being such an awsome team and learning everything as well as they did in order for it all to come together given our first group practice was after the Grand National ERS on Saturday evening! What a great team!!

It was an awsome weekend, best bash that i've been to, loads of rides Saturday and great fun both friday and saturday nights. And didn't we do well with the weather! Always a bonus.

My personal highlight of the weekend was during the Disco after the Coaser Crazy show when the Ukraine song came on again - to see so many people dancing, waving arms about and simply getting stuck into having a great time with all that enthusiasm was awsome - something i'll never forget. Many Thanks to Nev too for organising the whole thing. Having been amongst the back-stage for the first time and in practice sessions etc, i now truely appreciate how much work goes into making the Blackpool bash as good as it is. Well done everyone!

Anyway, that'll do for now - need sleep Smile

looping lee

The best Bash ever !

Friday, meeting up with old friends and making some new ones !
Jimmy Cricket live on stage wow i'm still in awe ! He had me laughing that much that everyone around were laughing at me !

Saturday, a nice start on Infusion which was running well, then onto the big one for an excellent ers ! Loads of rides throughout the day with some great people. Night time highlight was definitely the Ukranian song well done to Ryan,Matt, Mark, Gareth, Heather and Carol. Then onto some great dance tunes and moves !!

Sunday, another excellent ers on Avalanche and the big dipper ! After that i had a relaxing day on the golden mile and the pleasure Beach !

Thanks to Nev for organising an excellent weekend !

Thanks also to John and Jane ( The Langroyd , simply the best B & B in Blackpool ) and everyone else who i spent time with over the weekend !

All my photos have been uploaded to facebook, feel free to browse.

STEALTHYBUTBAD

it was my 4th bash and it had to be the best one out of the 4 i have attended ! My first bash (back in 2004) was when i first saw the puppet show by john garland so it was great to see it 4 years later. Jimmy cricket had to be one of the people i would never expect to see in the flesh yet alone at a blackpool bash Very Happy

!. He was well funny with some of his antics and jokes and the juggling was cool too !.
The saturday e.r.s was cool - had a go on each of the three rides available to us and enjoyed them too even though i do agree with other members who say infusion is / was a bit rough as i did bash my head going from side to side lol. The big one was as good as ever too ! Steeple chase was on good form too. Then onto the big dipper which was a bit painful as it was raining whilst we were on it and it felt like sharp objects hitting you in the face (not nice) , then onto as many rides as we could get in before lunch. Checked out the merchandise that was available and got myself a new t-shirt and one of the older t-shirts too. Back into the park , and a ride (or two) on the roller coaster , avalanche , irn bru revolution which is one of my favourite steelies there apart from the pmbo. Then a few more rides until it was time to go and join the grand national e.r.s. The grand national has to be one of my favourite woodies but my favourite one of the pleasure beach. After the e.r.s time to go back to the hotel and get ready for the evenings event plus a bit of black and white too.
The evening on a whole was as good (or better) as previous bashes. My favourite act had to be the last act - the ukraine song and dance (i have to admit i was actually standing in my booth and doing the arm movements which i really enjoyed. My second favourite act had to be death ! how long did or didnt he last this year ?. Some good / interesting acts on the night but a very enjoyable one on the whole.
Sunday mornings e.r.s's were very enjoyable : 2 rides on the avalanche and 5 rides on the big dipper which for me is a record in an e.r.s. Then back to the hotel to get my cameras etc and do a bit of tourist (one of my coaster nicknames lol) before going into the pleasure beach to do some rides before going on the valhalla after dropping my cameras and getting changed for the ride.
A very good and enjoyful weekend !

I would like to thank Nev for organising another excellent blackpool bash and i would like to thank John and Jane who own the langroyd hotel for their wonderful and entertaining hospitality for the third bash in a row.

Another highlight for me was actually being brave enough to ride all the woodies with my hands in the air as ive not been to sure about doing but i have now conquered it !

Cant wait till next years bash !.

What is wood ? GOOD !

adey

must agree with everyone about john and janes langroyd b & b its the best in blackpool our little girl loved them to bits. Very Happy

Boo

Was an up and down weekend but really enjoyed the great bits!
Some great riding took place and great time with friends!

I think the Ukraine Song topped the weekend off though, that was brilliant! Well done for doing it!

Thanks to Andy for organising it and thanks to everyone who tried to make it a great weekend!

See you all on a trip soon Very Happy

Amy

Bunnie

I have created my first ever YouTube video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jciu3hwOSxg

Just a montage of pictures

Happy Helen

The friday evening entertainment was great and on the Saturday evening was too, especially the gong show and the Trade or No Trade Game which was good fun.

The ERS's on the Big One and Infusion was brilliant.

Best of all was meeting people who I hadn't met before.

Death

Hail All!

Well...Everything that happened at the 'Bash has already been mentioned, so I won't post my own TR as there's not really much point, and I'm useless at TRs anyway! Very Happy

Just wanted to say thanks to Nev and everyone at Blackpool PB who made the trip such a great one, and by the Gods did we have a good few laughs there! Almost the best and the worst act of the Gong Show, eh? Laughing

One thing that I'm interested in at the moment is the playlist of the Club dance set after the Coaster Crazy show. There were a couple of tracks on there that I appreciated, and I'd like to have the info so that I can buy the songs off of iTunes or another music store. Smile

If anyone has the playlist used during that set, please could they post it so that I can check it out? I've already acquired the Ukranian song (Who doesn't have that now? Laughing

) but I'd like to peruse the rest of the list if that's OK. Cool

Farewell, and thanks! Twisted Evil

>> Death <<

Rough Rider

Nemesis Nick · My First Ever Blackpool Bash

Although I first joined the RCCGB at the start of the 2005 Club year, and had so far been on the following Club trips:

Summer Bash 2005 - Funland Hayling Island
Loopathon 2005 (Alton Towers only)
Summer Bash 2006 - Paultons Park
Loopathon 2006 (Alton Towers only)
Summer Bash 2007 - Adventure Island Southend-on-Sea

... this year was my first EVER time of attending the Blackpool Bash. A pity really, having now seen what a mega fun weekend it is.

Ironically, back in October 2005, I considered attending the Blackpool Bash 2006, but for various reasons didn’t go. By autumn 2006, I was swayed towards attending Blackpool Bash 2007, but again ended up not going. Therefore I was determined to go to the Blackpool Bash in 2008.

Day One - Friday
For me the weekend began late morning on Friday, with a train journey from Bath to Blackpool which took me about six and a half hours. Having arrived around 6pm I checked into my hotel, which was only about three minutes walk away from the BPB. I had fish and chips at a nearby chippie before getting to the Paradise Room well before the fun was due to start at 8pm.

Friday Fun Show
I thoroughly enjoyed every minute of the Friday Fun entertainment starting at 8:30 with John Garland’s Puppets. Thanks a million to all those members who demanded his appearance. Next up was Phoenix International, with the amazing illusions. Mind you, I think I’ve sussed out how that guillotine act worked. Finally, after the interval, Jimmy Cricket entertained us with some jokes, most of which I managed to get. I had to laugh at his joke “Couldn’t find the M6, so ended up driving the M3 twice”. The M3 is in a totally different part of the country to the M6!

Day Two – Saturday
The fun began around 9:30 in the Paradise Room. Like many other members, I collected my wrist band which I’d pre-ordered at the time of booking. The morning ERS was originally to be on Pepsi Max Big One and Steeplechase. Early high winds nearly necessitated substituting Infusion for Pepsi Max Big One. Luckily the winds dropped in time, so we were able to ride Pepsi Max Big One after all, along with Steeplechase. As an added bonus, we still had Infusion in the ERS. So there you go, an ERS on Pepsi Max One, Steeplechase AND Infusion. Three coasters, beat that for one ERS!

Morning ERS
I began with Pepsi Max Big One and fearlessly rode it TWICE before heading across to Steeplechase, I had one go in each lane left, middle, right. Finally I managed one go on Infusion just in time before the end of the ERS. Again, a fun coaster which had me singing rather than screaming!

Remaining Time Before Lunch
I ran back to have one more go on Infusion now that the public were also riding it. Next I headed to Rollercoaster for the Rollercoaster Takeover (not an ERS), as billed in the Programme. I spoke to the attendant about this, only to be told that this coaster wasn’t opening until 12:30. A few other RCCGB members were by Rollercoaster, equally disappointed. Why then was that listed in the programme? Does anyone know? For now I had one go on Flying Machines followed by one go on Ice Blast.

Lunch at Paradise Room
What a super lunch: chicken, chips, side salad and coleslaw, plus a bread roll. That filled me up for the afternoon. Since it was the Club’s 20th anniversary year, a commemorative cake was brought in for everyone to see. This cake was well photographed, no doubt we’re bound to see it in the next Yearbook.

Afternoon Freetime
It was gone 2pm when I got back to riding, deliberately so as to have some interval between eating and riding again. You see, my biggest clanger of the day at last year’s Summer Bash, at Adventure Island, was returning to riding immediately after lunch (filled jacket potato), albeit a small “red band” ride.

Over the course of three hours, I rode the following:
Derby Racer x 1
Alice Ride x 1
Flying Machines x 1

Rollercoaster – my first EVER go on a woodie. Had two goes on this (first go near back, second go front row).

Pleasure Beach Express x 1
Beaver Creek Log Chute x 1

Morgan’s Circus Clown Coaster x 1 – this must be the smallest steelie in BPB. Not particularly thrilling, but I rode it just for the record.

Irn Bru Revolution x 1 – a short thrilling ride, I thoroughly enjoyed it without screaming, until it abruptly ceased at a dead end. Uh-oh, it was about to go backwards. Still I made the return journey without screaming.

Gallopers x 1 – a rest ride between boisterous ones.

Chinese Puzzle Maze

Bling x 1 I felt a little nervous about going on this, but nonetheless braved going on it, and not too bad. Definitely the scariest ride I went on all day, but still I ended up singing and didn’t scream at all. Nonetheless I was glad to be on terrafirmer after it. No way could I have taken two goes straight off.

Avalanche x 1. Other riders (non-club) were on this screaming, whereas I was sat in the back car quiet and relaxed all the way.

Grand National ERS 5pm to 6pm
Because of my go on Avalanche, I got to Grand National about 10 minutes late. Nonetheless I fearlessly enjoyed (without screaming) 4 goes on this during the ERS. Choosing which queue each time I did the following: left, right, left, right.

Early Evening Freetime
After the ERS, I decided to continue riding for just over an hour. I did the following rides (actual order uncertain):

Ice Blast x 1
Ghost Train x 1
Noah’s Ark x 1

My final three rides of day were:
Impossible x 1
River Caves x 1
The Big One x 1 (end the day where I began)

Around 7:20 I popped back to my hotel briefly to get changed for the Coaster Crazy Show, and was back at the Paradise Room well before eight.

Coaster Crazy Show
This year’s theme was “Black and White”, in which you had the option of dressing up in anything black or white (or both). Some were dressed as nuns, vicars, and policemen/women. Some took the formal approach: white shirt, black tie and suit. Some donned in stripy outfits (zebra or what). I decided a more abstract informal approach: a white T-shirt with “Ibiza” on it, and black Adidas sports shorts, plus odd socks (one black, one white). Well at least my outfit tied in with the “anything black and white” theme. It was less clear what that was meant to represent, Andy’s interpretation was “football referee”. Some of you must remember me from having seen me with the said kit on that evening.

Food was on sale at The Paradise Room, I bought myself curry and rice. Also by now, the commemorative cake had been cut into bite-size pieces.

What a diverse line-up there was to entertain us that evening. Various acts appeared on stage, the earliest of which were covers of “Everybody Needs Somebody” followed by Robbie Williams “Let Me Entertain You”. I would be most grateful if someone could provide me with an official list of all the acts of the evening (songs and performers).

Like most other members I took part in the elimination game for the chance to win the USA trip ticket, but was knocked out after a couple of questions. Well done to Simon who was able to take part in Trade Or No Trade later.

One competition was for children aged 3 to 15. They sat in chairs on stage. Andy asked them to get something from the audience (e.g. diary, camera) and return to the stage, only to find one chair had disappeared. Thus each time, one child had nowhere to sit down upon return and thus was knocked out, a bit like musical chairs. Does anyone know the name of that tune that was played each time the kids ran out (I remember that from the end of Benny Hill shows on TV when I was a kid)?

One of my favourite sung performances had to be where two ladies came on to sing “I Know Him So Well”, a cover of Elaine Paige and Barbara Dickson.

Of course the Coaster Crazy Show had to include The Gong Show. Mind you, it ought to be “The Hooter Show” considering that a performer’s time is up by the sound of a hooter rather than a gong! There was quite a diverse range of acts here. Ryan performed a parody of Tom Jones’ “Delilah”, and was booed off. Mike played the banjo, only to be booed off. Dan managed to sing most of “500 Miles” before the hooter went. I felt ever so sorry for Death, as soon as his name was announced, he was booed off before he even had chance to begin! How could people tell how bad it without at least seeing some of his act? I think everyone should be guaranteed 15 to 30 seconds performance time before the audience is allowed to boo them off. Well done to Libby who made it to the end of her song, only to be cheered rather than booed, and hence she won. Who’d have thought that a four year old would win The Gong Show when competing against adults? Personally I question the fairness of that arrangement. Maybe next year they ought to have “The Junior Gong Show” for children, followed by “The Gong Show” for adults.

Simon, winner of the elimination game earlier, took part in “Trade Or No Trade”. Several others from the audience, me being one of them, also went up to hold the envelopes. Okay so Simon didn’t win the USA trip, but still managed £300. Congratulations.

The finale of Coaster Crazy Show was when a group dressed as Verka Serduchka, to perform “Dancing Lasha Tumbai” (Eurovision Song Contest 2007 runner-up: Ukraine). By popular demand they gave a second performance, during which I sang and danced along with them. For me this was the best act of the whole Coaster Crazy Show. By the way, I’ve been a keen fan of the Eurovision Song Contest since I was a boy, and look forward to it every year.

Finally at 10:20 the stage went down to form the dance floor for the After Show Party. My first disco since I left secondary school in summer 1990! I danced along, and liked the long medley of bits of hits from the last few decades. During the final 15 minutes, there were four separate songs in their entirety: “Dancing Lasha Tumbai”, “Amarillo”, and lastly “Theme from New York”. Can anyone remember the other one of this batch? The disco ended around 11:20, and about 10 minutes later I finally left the Paradise Room.

Day Three – Sunday

Morning ERS
Having met outside the Casino Tower around 10:00, we had an ERS on Big Dipper and a surprise coater: Avalanche. I clocked up four goes on Big Dipper: 1) near the front; 2) 4th row from the rear; and I got airtime on some dips, 3) 3rd row from back, more airtime; 4) back row, most airtime. My foregone conclusion: the nearer the back you are on this, the more airtime you get. After that I moved across to Avalanche, and enjoyed four goes on that, the last two of which were in the back row.

Rest of Sunday
I decided not to buy a reduced price wristband for Sunday. Instead I took the opportunity to explore Blackpool: photographing some BPB coasters from outside the park, exploring the seafront, South Pier and Central Pier. Also I went on the beach briefly between South Pier and Central Pier. Unfortunately there wasn’t time for North Pier. Just before 2:30 it was time to catch my train home. I finally got back to Bath around 8pm (a different route to going up on Friday, which was about an hour quicker).

Outtro
Well on the whole, a mega fun weekend away. It was great for me to see Andy again, and other members I’ve met on previous Club trips (albeit not many). I met a few more this time. Generally speaking, I felt this weekend was better than Loopathon Alton Towers in 2005 and 2006. Now I understand why Andy says in the invitation “If you can only make one trip this year, make it this one (Blackpool Bash)”. Looking back, I now wish I’d gone to last year’s Blackpool Bash, instead of going for my own four-day holiday to north Wales late March.

Nemesis Nick

stealth fan

Thanks for the lyrics, and welcome to the Board Nick.

Nimmykins

To answer your question about the performances. They were:

Andy Hine and Alan Chilvers - Everybody Needs Somebody

Gary Williams - Let Me Entertain You

Wendy Evans - These Boots Were Made For Walking

Sarah Booker and Andrea Shepperd - I Know Him So Well

Kelly Cameron - I can't remember, but I'm sure she'll remind me.

Ryan Hackett, Mark Bundell, Matt Walker, Heather Hall, Carol Hedges and Gareth Arkell - Verka Serduchka

Andy Hine MBE

Kelly sang Hot Stuff

The missing song from the final 4 was "Always Look on The Bright Side of Life (Python)

And Death -I'll e-mail you the list of songs I used in the mix.

Andy (Nev)

PS. Thanks for all your nice comments!

Nimmykins

The Judge · The Bash

The Bash, Awesome. Really enjoyed it. The kids hacked it all day finally overtired and all emotional in bed for 11pm. I dont know why but this year seemed to flow better than other years. We brought a childminder with us this year so sarah could get some practice riding in before america kicks off in june.
Thought the PMBO was a tad slow and not as furious as previous years.
Having never ridden infusion in its previous encarnation i cannot judge on how it compares, all i can say is its a great ride and fits in really well with park.
I loved the grand national, the rollercoaster, zipper dipper. We did the big dipper in that mad hailstorm before lunch on saturday which was awesome.
Thanks everyone involved for putting this weekend together its the perfect season opener for us this year.
Andy,Sarah,Alicia,Charlotte.

Ashley

Well Im not gonna say everything that happened during last weekend as I think everything has been covered.

Just wanted to say thanks to Nev for organising everything, Chris (trax) for just being a great friend and being there for me all weekend and being a great dancing partner in Syndicate and also to everyone who cheered me up that weekend when I was feeling a bit low x

Also big well done to the Ukraine team, it was fabby and one of the highlights of the weekend for me.

c anderson

Link to the Ukraine song

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=4Mh25rTQJTE

BAGuru · Ukraine tribute act.

Just to let you all know that I have also uploaded a further Ukraine vid to YouTube.

The link is http://tinyurl.com/6saam4
It can also be viewed in high quality by clicking under views.

The original Ukraine entry can be found under http://tinyurl.com/5kfacz

Cheers.

The Guru

c anderson

here is a link to the 2nd rendition of the Ukraine song, something to watch over the weekend ?

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=R-6IsnfEP3Q

Nemesis Nick

From various sources (my own camcorder footage, other member's videos on You Tube) I've finally been able to compile the line-up to The Gong Show at this year's Blackpool Bash. Note that there are still some bits I've not been able to find.

Act 1: Ryan – “De Liar” (parody of Tom Jones’ “Delilah”)

Act 2: (performer unknown) - Hypnosis.

Act 3: Mike Cuff (spelling?) – playing a banjo.

Act 4: Greg Spalding (Russian Soldier) and Sarah Booker (Russian Widow) - Penetrating Russian Theatre.

Act 5: Dan – “500 Miles”.

Act 6: Death - booed off before he even had chance to start. When I spoke to him before the ERS Sunday morning, he told me he was going to do a sketch about the smoking ban. Exactly what he meant by that I don't know.

Act 7: Libby “Tomorrow, Tomorrow" (or whatever its title is). It's from a Walt Disney film I think.

Finally a reappearance of all performers together Libby won, Death was last.

If anyone can fill the gaps with the missing details please do so.

c anderson

Act 2 was Alan Chilvers

Bunnie

Wasn't the song Libby sang off the musical Annie?

Nimmykins

Blackpool Bash 2008

My First Ever Blackpool Bash

The Bash

Ukraine tribute act.