coastergraham
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How did you learn about the RCCGBA simple question for you all.
How did you hear about the RCCGB?
For myself it was possibly about 1992 or 1993 and the club was on the 2nd day of the blackpool bash weekend at Morecambe PB. I by chance happened to be at the park that day with my mother (who introduced me to rollercoasters and still loves them by the way at 55!!), we saw some coaster club members with there jackets on and I asked one of them, somebody called Ivan Willets who is a really top bloke and he told me all about the club and what it does.
He sent me to guest relations at the park where the club had some leaflets about the club and how to join, so I sent my cheque off and thats how it started for me.
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Nimmykins
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I met Greg aka reg, who told me about it. Then the first time I went to Thorpe Park, which was with him, we met John and Sandra Padley and had a chat in Burger King.
I bought his membership for his birthday, and neither of us have looked back.
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Wildthing
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I found out about the club through a book called White Knuckle Rides in about 1997, it had the address in the back of the book as Nev had helped with some of the articles. I had seen the club on telly lots of times but was unsure how to join, the rest is history!!
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butler
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My wife brought me a book for xmas called "White knuckle Rides". The rest, as they say is history. I have met some fantastic people over the years and ridden some of the best coasters in the world.
John
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bluea61
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I stumbled upon it by chance really a few years back, and was unsure whether to join. In the end Hayley bought it for me for Christmas a few years back and now we go around everywhere!
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Paul H.
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I worked with Phil Boyle who was a member. I didn't believe him at first until I saw his club T shirt. In May 1995 he organised a trip for four of us from work to go to Alton Towers. I was hooked and joined the club myself in 1996.
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Coaster Chick
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It was in 1995: I was out with a gang of friends and I said I had seen mention of the club on TV but no idea how to locate it (pre-internet days). A friend (Christine Knight) who works for BA said 'I think I work with a guy who runs a coaster club - his name is Andy Hine, I'll ask him for you'. She did and he gave her an application form for me and the rest is history ........
However I was very much an armchair member for many years and only started doing trips in earnest from 2004 onwards but since then I haven't looked back!!! 
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Auntie Murial
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I first joined the club back in 1994, but went away for a few years whilst i got my life sorted ( long story ), am hapy to be back in the club again and will be for a long long time !
1994 was the "Year of The Roller Coaster " and i saw an advert at West Midland Safari Park of all places lol.
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Rogue
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I heard about the club on TV on a programme called Daredevils, I joined February 2004 but my first trip was Megaglowmania 2004.
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Gollum
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| Bunnie wrote: | | I heard about the club on TV on a programme called Daredevils |
I think Joolz and I were on that program
As for finding out about the RCCGB, Magic a close friend was also a member of the FTO Owners Club way back when and is still prominent in the Coaster Club invited us to Loopathon one year (may have been 2001 or 2002?). We joined the following year and have had some great trips, with great friends ever since  Just need to break that European duck as all coaster trips with the club so far have been UK based.
Martin (Gollum) and Joolz (Missy J)
PS. In case you do not know what an FTO is, here's mine (shameless showing off photo) 
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Nimmykins
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| Bunnie wrote: | | I heard about the club on TV on a programme called Daredevils, I joined February 2004 but my first trip was Megaglowmania 2004. |
Ohh I was on that.. "pure exhilaration".
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Coaster Toaster
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I was on it to in the background a few times lol.
Joined the club in 2003 and first trip was for inferno.
Found out as had seen jackets before so looked it up on the net
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nemesis scribe
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I purchased the white knuckle rides book for £2 from a bookstore while looking for a burthday present for my dad in 2001. It then got me thinking how much i loved coasters in my childhood. I then looked on the internet for coaster pics and came across the club web page. I joined, went coaster crazy, met some incredible people and rode coasters i never thought i would have.
In fact, i have been on most coasters now featured in that infamous white knuckle ride book. What a difference 5 or 6 years makes haha.
Great club!!!
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coaster-andy
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I joined on one of them whims. I was in a queue line at Alton Towers 2002/2003 . Saw someone in front with RCCGB on his jacket. I thought whats that all about must remember to look that up on internet when I get home.
Well I did I joined the club have had years of fun even though had 3 year break to go to the other club I have had some great memory's on some great trips. Including Europe 2003.
I have made some great friends through the club which is great when you all enjoy the same thing.
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Happy Helen
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I found out about RCCGB on a video of rollercoasters in GB that Andy was featured on and he gave an address for the club and in April 2004 I typed it in the search engine on the internet then I printed off the form.
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RapterGirl
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I got the infamous book 'White Knuckle Rides' as a xmas present from my parents who knew me very well indeed!!
However, I only joined last year as I did the whole uni thing and then worked abroad in various places as a holiday rep!
First trip was Loopathon the other weekend and hopefully many more great trips will follow xx
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WildMouse
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Purchased the Coaster Crazy UK video whilst at Blackpool Pleasure Beach back in 2000. Joined the club a couple of years later!
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smiler
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Mine started in 1994 with the year of the roller coaster video watching them all having fun. I couldent do any of the trips cause I couldent drive so that was my aim as soon as I start to drive then I can join 1999 I passed and been on every uk trip so far and getting better all the time.
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Amberrider
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| smiler wrote: | | Mine started in 1994 with the year of the roller coaster video watching them all having fun. I couldent do any of the trips cause I couldent drive so that was my aim as soon as I start to drive then I can join 1999 I passed and been on every uk trip so far and getting better all the time. |
I used to take my younger son regularly to Blackpool Pleasure Beach, and we'd stay over a weekend and spend all our time in BPB. On one occasion some years ago, I bought a video of BPB there, and inside the cover was a leaflet describing the RCCGB and with a form to fill in to join. My son by then was losing interest in visiting theme parks with his Mum, so I joined, and I've never looked back.
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towerofterror1989
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I joined back in 1992. Thanks to Lightwater Valley. My first trip was to Blackpool Pleasure Beach. Met up with club members Chris & Claire McFarlane, who lived in Blackpool.
Had some great times on the Grand National, including water gun fights!! Lot's of things have changed in the club, I don't see half the members I knew back in the 1990s. Ian Mansfield, Mark Riley, John Cage, Gary Bleads, Stuart Kite and many more. as they say, life goes on, people change.
Since rejoining RCCGB in 2007, I have made all the trips to Alton Towers and met new people. Have only seen one or two members from the 1990s.
My best theme park memories go back to 1990, when i first rode many major UK coasters, sadly most of them do not exist in England anymore, at least not in their original form. Thunder Looper was my first introduction to Anton Schwarzkopf/Intamin coasters. what a classic launch coaster and this is the reason i love Rita Queen of Speed. Launch coasters this smooth are awesome.
I also rode the Cyclone at southport with original trains, which gave the best airtime ever, i rated it then above the Grand National.
My top 5 steelies in 1990 were:
Tower of Terror @ Camelot
Thunder Looper Alton Towers
Revolution Blackpool Pleasure Beach
Alton Beast
Alton Mouse
Top 5 woodies 1990
Cyclone southport
Grand National
Big Dipper
Texas Tornado
Roller coaster
Top 5 steelies today
Incredible Hulk Island of Adventure
Kraken Sea World
Montu Busch Gardens
Kumba Busch Gardens
Nemesis Alton Towers
Top Woodies:
Zingo Bells Amusement Park Oklahoma
Timber Wolf Worlds of Fun
Grand National BPB
Cyclone ex southport
Big Dipper BPB
I hope to go on more trips this year and maybe usa or europe when i have saved enough. I would love to go to Cedar Point & Kings Island again
from
Ian
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stevencaine
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mine was kinda to do with an ex girlfriend who worked at Thorpe she used to hate the club and the ers,
every time we where talking about the club,
I thought i dunno its better than going to the parks on your own and the ers sounded well good, so i joined it was not long after that she dumped me not because of the club
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stealth fan
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Can't remember 100%, but I think it was that White Knucke ride book, this was back in 1996/7. My first club trip was Oakwood, a year after Meggie opened.
I had a break from the club for a couple of years, but then me and mum joined 2000/1
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bradpeet
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I'd heard of the club years ago - but never joined because I just didn't have enough opportunities to ride coasters at the time.
Then things changed, and I had time on my hands. So I googled "First Drop", which I had remembered as the name of the club newsletter 
Anyway, I liked what I saw about RCCGB so I joined in October 2006 (too late for Loopathon - so Blackpool Bash 2007 was my first event)
I'ver not missed a UK event since, did my first US trip in 2008 and am now looking forward to the 2009 one too.
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Bonsai Warrior
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Saw the club in a documentary on the telly, early to mid nineties, and thought "great, where do I find them". Unfortunately they rolled the credits so fast I missed the address. Finally traced the club on the internet and joined September 2003.
Along with my membership card, Andy sent me a note to say there was still places left on a mini europe trip and to email him if I was interested. As I had never been on a coaster outside of the UK I grabbed the chance. Had a great time with Karin, Adam, Andy and Raymond who are fun friendly people and have managed to get to most trips both UK and abroad, ever since.
Still lovin' it!
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smiler
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I first joined in 1999 where I found a leaflet in some park cant remember which one tho and I just had to join. 10 years on and still loving it
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frosty
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Just over a year ago a fellow member of the club recommended it to me.
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David Ellis
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I first saw a mention in the credits of a video called "the roller coaster enthusiasts dream" made in 1994. I joined later that year...blimey that's 15 years ago!
David.
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BAGuru
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I also joined in '94 tho cant be certain....its that long ago. I remember seeing an article on Nev standing at the top of the Grand National in the British Airways News and thought that it would be a great way to meet new friends and enjoy coaster riding. How right I was!!
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drsarf
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For me, I think it was back in 1999. I saw "Terror Technicians" on Discovery, and wanted to know more - Alta Vista at the time brought me to RCCGB where I eventually joined and finally hit my first trip in 2002.
Not currently a member, but hoping to re-register soon. 
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STEALTHYBUTBAD
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I joined in 2003 and my first trip was loopathon of that year. I didnt know anyone to start with and it wasnt until i was watching the "RIPSAW CHALLENGE" that ann morgan started speaking to me and introduced herself and donna who was with her at the time let me join them in goiung round the park and got me into the spirit of the club (which didnt take long). Along the way , i have made new friends through ann and the club. I Knew there was a club as it was advertised on a video i bought called "white knuckle" and it had an adress on it for the club. I actually joined the club when my mate gave me an application form which was filled in and payment of membership sent off and the next thing u know loopathon was my first ever trip in 2003. I also remember that weekend very well as there was a filming crew going round filming. Myself , ann and donna were interviewed coming off of nemiesis. The filming was for a tv programme cant remember what it was called. If anyone knows what the programme was called and has got the programme on dvd could u please get in contact with me ? cheers. I think the programme might have been "daredevils" as peoople are saying .
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Nimmykins
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Yes, Daredevils was filmed at that Loopathon.
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Professor
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| drsarf wrote: | For me, I think it was back in 1999. I saw "Terror Technicians" on Discovery, and wanted to know more - Alta Vista at the time brought me to RCCGB where I eventually joined and finally hit my first trip in 2002.
Not currently a member, but hoping to re-register soon. |
And you got celebrity status with Kirk at Alton Towers i recall...
I stumbled across club on the web i think and joined about 97, but didnt turn up to any trips til 1999 i think.
Been around since, well in spirit anyhow..
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RobinA
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It was only by chance I found this site.
I was looking for news about the chair lift fire at Alton Towers and came across the thread on this forum board.
At least some bad news was good for me.
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