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Original poster

Blackpool pleasure beach

436 replies

Roundthemoon · 12/10/2024 21:25

I just visited Blackpool and I Had a nice time going around the beach and activities.

But honestly- Blackpool pleasure beach - what are they thinking! Some of the rides are so old and dangerous, I don't know how they are allowed at all.

It was the first time that I went .

I went on one ride, and it went extremely high. It was like an old fashioned rollrr coaster, but you were sitting on a horse. It's called steeple chase.

. There was the tiniest old fashioned seat belt on the horse, like a car seat belt. Except it was just a horizontal belt. The material of the belt looked old, worn and thin. And it didn't hold you on properly.

You had to grip with your hands onto the handle bars. This ride went extremely high and it was extremely fast and jerky, and i was nearly jerked out of the seat several times. If the ride jerked and you fell out of the seat , you would slip through the seat belt and you would fall a very long way down. I was holding on for dear life. I very nearly came off and fell once.

People were getting off the ride at the end and were crying and looking extremely stressed.

The guy running the ride laughed and said to us "you won't do that ride again in a hurry will you haha". Because he knew it was bad

I saw other rides in the park, where the metal holding the ride up looked completely rusted through.

I don't know how the park is allowed from a health and safety standpoint?

OP posts:
Thread gallery
8
Magnastorm · 13/10/2024 00:34

QueenOfHiraeth · 13/10/2024 00:31

The ride opened in 1977

Show quote history

😂😂😂 this thread really is the gift that keeps on giving.

Wheelbarrowracer · 13/10/2024 00:34

Roundthemoon · 13/10/2024 00:30

Has anyone been on the Wallace and gromit ride? It's a nice gentle one

Dd was scared shitless on the Wallace and gromit ride via she didn't like the rabbit.

I quite like the one that goes forwards and backwards and the one where your legs dangle.

Original poster
Roundthemoon · 13/10/2024 00:33

IlovePond · 13/10/2024 00:31

The Steeplechase was opened in 1977 by Red Rum. It had the same sort of waist strap/belt that it has now. Not terribly secure, but it’s there.

The Derby Racers, 1959, is a quite fast horse ride that goes round and round - doesn’t have a seatbelt, just a handle to hold onto. If you fell off that whilst it was moving, (as with any ride), you could well be injured, but I felt safe enough on it myself as a timid child.

Isn't it amazing that those rides were there so long ago.

I had a go on the derby racers too.

OP posts:
Original poster
Roundthemoon · 13/10/2024 00:31

QueenOfHiraeth · 13/10/2024 00:31

The ride opened in 1977

Show quote history

It's interesting because another poster on here said that she went on the ride in 1976.

OP posts:
IlovePond · 13/10/2024 00:31

The Steeplechase was opened in 1977 by Red Rum. It had the same sort of waist strap/belt that it has now. Not terribly secure, but it’s there.

The Derby Racers, 1959, is a quite fast horse ride that goes round and round - doesn’t have a seatbelt, just a handle to hold onto. If you fell off that whilst it was moving, (as with any ride), you could well be injured, but I felt safe enough on it myself as a timid child.

Rantypanties · 13/10/2024 00:31

Because as I’ve said it’s not a piece of information that’s easy to find hence why I asked for your source since you were so convinced you were right.

A PP has found some info saying 40ft. The Big One is measured from the ground and from sea level so Steeplechase could be 40ft at sea level or ground. A quick Google says BPB is 5m above sea level so Steeplechase could be 12m high or 7m high.

QueenOfHiraeth · 13/10/2024 00:31

gegs73 · 13/10/2024 00:21

My aunt did actually fall off the thing in the 60s. I could be wrong but I don’t think they even used to have the seatbelts back in the day.

Show quote history

The ride opened in 1977

Original poster
Roundthemoon · 13/10/2024 00:30

Has anyone been on the Wallace and gromit ride? It's a nice gentle one

OP posts:
Original poster
Roundthemoon · 13/10/2024 00:27

Foopa · 13/10/2024 00:25

I think some rides just are dangerous. I have a vague recollection of being on The Ultimate at lightwater valley behind a few rows of nuns and my goodness did that ride throw you left to right so that you ended up with bruises on your hips.

Im sure I went on the steeple chase as a kid and also thought it was a case of hold on if you dont want to die.

I had a vice grip on it.

I'm sticking to the gentler rides in theme parks in the future.

The funny thing was though, I thought steeplechase was a gentle ride until I got on it. You can't really tell with some of them till you're on it!

OP posts:
unmemorableusername · 13/10/2024 00:26

Fell off it in the 60s?

When it didnt open until 1977?

Ok.

Foopa · 13/10/2024 00:25

I think some rides just are dangerous. I have a vague recollection of being on The Ultimate at lightwater valley behind a few rows of nuns and my goodness did that ride throw you left to right so that you ended up with bruises on your hips.

Im sure I went on the steeple chase as a kid and also thought it was a case of hold on if you dont want to die.

PleaseAskSomeoneWhoGivesAFuck · 13/10/2024 00:24

Amazing how some threads appear as if there is a dead horse to be flogged

Original poster
Roundthemoon · 13/10/2024 00:24

TurquoiseBear · 13/10/2024 00:23

I remember clinging onto the Steeplechase with my thighs (and my hands obvs!)
Bloody loved it!
It’s a Pleasure Beach icon. 🐎

It's definitely a tradition there anyway.

OP posts:
TurquoiseBear · 13/10/2024 00:23

I remember clinging onto the Steeplechase with my thighs (and my hands obvs!)
Bloody loved it!
It’s a Pleasure Beach icon. 🐎

Original poster
Roundthemoon · 13/10/2024 00:23

Aplaceinthecold · 13/10/2024 00:20

From the age of about 11 until my early 20's I went on every rollercoaster and thrill ride whenever we went to a fairground.
I loved them.
I went on the steeplechase in 1979 and still remember how terrified I was, Op.
Just felt so unsafe, was white as a sheet getting off.

Yeah my knuckles were white! You really have to hang on for dear life!

OP posts:
Original poster
Roundthemoon · 13/10/2024 00:23

gegs73 · 13/10/2024 00:21

My aunt did actually fall off the thing in the 60s. I could be wrong but I don’t think they even used to have the seatbelts back in the day.

Show quote history

That's shocking..your poor aunt!

OP posts:
Original poster
Roundthemoon · 13/10/2024 00:22

gegs73 · 13/10/2024 00:21

My aunt did actually fall off the thing in the 60s. I could be wrong but I don’t think they even used to have the seatbelts back in the day.

Show quote history

So someone did fall off steeplechase.

I knew it was dangerous. It's an awful ride.

Your poor aunt.

What were they thinking not even having a seatbelt on it back then

OP posts:
Original poster
Roundthemoon · 13/10/2024 00:21

Rantypanties · 13/10/2024 00:19

Hanging on by rusty metal band? How have they managed to survive since 1904?!?

Yes they are hanging on by a rusty metal band.

Do you want me to provide yet another link, or are you able to look up a single photo yourself.

Go on , you can do it!

OP posts:
gegs73 · 13/10/2024 00:21

Roundthemoon · 12/10/2024 21:25

I just visited Blackpool and I Had a nice time going around the beach and activities.

But honestly- Blackpool pleasure beach - what are they thinking! Some of the rides are so old and dangerous, I don't know how they are allowed at all.

It was the first time that I went .

I went on one ride, and it went extremely high. It was like an old fashioned rollrr coaster, but you were sitting on a horse. It's called steeple chase.

. There was the tiniest old fashioned seat belt on the horse, like a car seat belt. Except it was just a horizontal belt. The material of the belt looked old, worn and thin. And it didn't hold you on properly.

You had to grip with your hands onto the handle bars. This ride went extremely high and it was extremely fast and jerky, and i was nearly jerked out of the seat several times. If the ride jerked and you fell out of the seat , you would slip through the seat belt and you would fall a very long way down. I was holding on for dear life. I very nearly came off and fell once.

People were getting off the ride at the end and were crying and looking extremely stressed.

The guy running the ride laughed and said to us "you won't do that ride again in a hurry will you haha". Because he knew it was bad

I saw other rides in the park, where the metal holding the ride up looked completely rusted through.

I don't know how the park is allowed from a health and safety standpoint?

My aunt did actually fall off the thing in the 60s. I could be wrong but I don’t think they even used to have the seatbelts back in the day.

IlovePond · 13/10/2024 00:20

Ah yes @QueenOfHiraeth - he was a prolific inventor!

Thanks for posting that clip @Foopa - given that I went on that ride once - in 1977 - it’s amazing how well I remember it. Watching that brought it back in detail! Much of the ride is close to the ground as you can see in the video, but there are sections where it’s quite high up. (Even when you are quite low down, it feels higher, because you are on the horse.) It’s also really wobbly, (as you can also see in the clip!)

On a related note: I’d forgotten that Red Rum opened the ride. I remember going to see him turn on the Illuminations, also in 1977. I was right at the front with my brother. None of us at the time thought there was anything weird about it, but in hindsight, it was a bit odd.

Aplaceinthecold · 13/10/2024 00:20

From the age of about 11 until my early 20's I went on every rollercoaster and thrill ride whenever we went to a fairground.
I loved them.
I went on the steeplechase in 1979 and still remember how terrified I was, Op.
Just felt so unsafe, was white as a sheet getting off.

PleaseAskSomeoneWhoGivesAFuck · 13/10/2024 00:20

Roundthemoon · 13/10/2024 00:14

Are you OK? You seem to not be following the thread at all.

I spoke about health and safety issues with one ride.

I said that I enjoyed the other rides.

I'm seriously starting to wonder if you are ok. You don't make much sense.

Edited
Show quote history

Rearrange these words:
Kettle, pot, the, black, calling

Rantypanties · 13/10/2024 00:19

Hanging on by rusty metal band? How have they managed to survive since 1904?!?

Blackpool pleasure beach
Original poster
Roundthemoon · 13/10/2024 00:19

Rantypanties · 13/10/2024 00:16

And for future information the Grand National rollercoaster is 62ft/19m high, not the Steeplechase. Nice cropping of that vital information in your screenshot!! 🤣🤣

You do see that it says "steeplechase." Specifically in the screenshot yes.

As I said, I'm happy to be corrected.if I'm wrong.

Yet despite you providing loads of immature laughing emojis, you have yet to provide a height for steeplechase!!

OP posts:
Original poster
Roundthemoon · 13/10/2024 00:18

Rantypanties · 13/10/2024 00:16

And for future information the Grand National rollercoaster is 62ft/19m high, not the Steeplechase. Nice cropping of that vital information in your screenshot!! 🤣🤣

It says " steeplechase " in my screenshot.

If it's wrong, I'm more than happy to be corrected.

As I see, despite you hysterically laughing at others,

you have failed to provide any information regarding the height of steeplechase.

OP posts: