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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?

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Original poster
Roundthemoon · 12/10/2024 23:09

PleaseAskSomeoneWhoGivesAFuck · 12/10/2024 23:05

Link to report please

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Are people not able to use Google anymore.

If you Google "child death blackpool pleasure beach" it will bring you up all of the news articles about that death

OP posts:
Rantypanties · 12/10/2024 23:09

I’ve just typed in ‘height of steeplechase ride Blackpool’ and none of the websites on the first page of Google have it listed

BeardofHagrid · 12/10/2024 23:10

Just seeing the pics on Google is quite terrifying!

PleaseAskSomeoneWhoGivesAFuck · 12/10/2024 23:11

Roundthemoon · 12/10/2024 23:00

Lol
Do you have shares in Blackpool pleasure beach or something? You've made a lot of posts saying the same thing

Show quote history

Also, you are ignoring my question as to why you think that such a massive and well-known theme park can operate without H & S certtificates.
So yes, I will argue against your factually incorrect assertions

Original poster
Roundthemoon · 12/10/2024 23:11

IlovePond · 12/10/2024 23:06

I went on the Steeplechase as a small child when it first opened. I am terrified of heights and still remember that I didn’t feel terribly secure with that lap belt! Me and my brother screamed all the way round. (From the ground we hadn’t realised how high it went - relatively speaking.)

The Flying Machines have been there since 1904 and it’s the oldest amusement ride in working order in Europe apparently. I went on that when my kids were young - they weren’t scared, but I was, (heights again!) I do think it’s odd that they’ve not installed seatbelts!

The Wild Mouse ride opened in 1958 and closed in 2017. I went on it as a child, but wasn’t scared because it was enclosed. There were quite a few accidents as I recall, which is why most of these rides have been retired worldwide.

The most famous wooden rollercoaster in Blackpool is the Big Dipper, 1923, which is listed. My kids loved it, (I haven’t been on it), and people come from all over the world to ride it as it’s one of the world’s greatest/most famous wooden rollercoasters.

The other wooden coaster is the Grand National, 1935 - there’s only one other of its kind left in the world- again, coaster fans love it.

TBH, I don’t really like any fast/high rides myself and how ‘safe’ any of them anywhere are really, is up for debate, (look at the awful accidents that have happened at places like Thorpe Park, for example).

Having said that, Blackpool Pleasure Beach has always been a source of pride for people from Blackpool - it wouldn’t win any prizes for its landscaping- Disney it isn’t- but it has to meet the safety standards.

I have a soft spot for the Derby Racer - one of the few rides I wasn’t scared of as a child and am still annoyed that the owners destroyed the Noah’s Ark attraction,1922, and cannibalised it to use as the entrance/gift shop.

I used to have a picture of my Nana at the Pleasure Beach on one of the rides in the 1920s, whooping it up after she’d run off to the bright lights of Blackpool from Yorkshire. It will always have a place in my heart, but I do accept it’s not for everyone!

Edited

Thanks for the very well written post.

Very nice post and great memories!

Wow those flying machines have been there since 1904!

I thought they looked old. I didn't realise how old.

OP posts:
IlovePond · 12/10/2024 23:13

They make me feel young by comparison @Roundthemoon 😹😹😹

OP posts:
Rantypanties · 12/10/2024 23:16

Because I looked and did not find your stated height

Original poster
Roundthemoon · 12/10/2024 23:16

IlovePond · 12/10/2024 23:13

They make me feel young by comparison @Roundthemoon 😹😹😹

Have you been in those planes. They were another ride that looked a bit dangerous

OP posts:
KrisAkabusi · 12/10/2024 23:21

If it has been running since 1977 without an accident, it is not inherently unsafe. It will have passed, at a minimum, an annual inspection to license it to operate, and regular safety checks throughout the year. Considering the millions of people that have been on it since it opened, statistically you were in far more danger on your drive to Blackpool than on that ride.

Kitkat1523 · 12/10/2024 23:21

HundredMilesAnHour · 12/10/2024 21:35

Is that the one that used to be called The Grand National - (The Steeple Chase?)

No, Grand National is the two rollercoasters that 'race' each other. Steeple Chase is a row of 4 (?) fake horses (like big carousel horses) that you sit on and they 'race' each other.

I love both! I always thought the Steeple Chase was pretty tame. Certainly never seen anyone crying on or off it!

I loved the grand national!!

wonder if they still have the mouse ride at Blackpool? Not been in years but that was the only ride that terrified me…..felt like the whole structure was going to collapse any minute

Original poster
Roundthemoon · 12/10/2024 23:22

Kitkat1523 · 12/10/2024 23:21

I loved the grand national!!

wonder if they still have the mouse ride at Blackpool? Not been in years but that was the only ride that terrified me…..felt like the whole structure was going to collapse any minute

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No the mouse ride is closed down

OP posts:
Magnastorm · 12/10/2024 23:24

Roundthemoon · 12/10/2024 22:59

I don't know why you're making up things.

Did you just pluck that 5 metre figure out of your head.

I looked it up online

It says that the ride is 65 feet (19.8 metres) at its highest point

Not 5 metres high.

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🤣😂

Utter bollocks. It is nowhere near 20m off the ground at any point. Either you have looked up the wrong ride or you are just talking rubbish.

Original poster
Roundthemoon · 12/10/2024 23:24

KrisAkabusi · 12/10/2024 23:21

If it has been running since 1977 without an accident, it is not inherently unsafe. It will have passed, at a minimum, an annual inspection to license it to operate, and regular safety checks throughout the year. Considering the millions of people that have been on it since it opened, statistically you were in far more danger on your drive to Blackpool than on that ride.

How would we know if there was an accident on it though.

I don't see any reports online anywhere - of there being any accident on the Alice in wonderland ride at blackpool pleasure beach

But a poster on this thread said that a girl in her school broke her leg on that ride

OP posts:
TheHangingGardensOfBasildon · 12/10/2024 23:25

Remember, fun is the key - but keep singing at all times, or you may die!

To be honest, I'm always nervous about rides at travelling fairs - where they only put it up yesterday and are taking it down again in three days' time. At least the rides that have been in situ for decades without an accident have a lot going for them - however achey and sore you feel when you get off them.

Probably shorter queues as well, as nobody gets off and runs straight back around for another go!

Original poster
Roundthemoon · 12/10/2024 23:25

Magnastorm · 12/10/2024 23:24

🤣😂

Utter bollocks. It is nowhere near 20m off the ground at any point. Either you have looked up the wrong ride or you are just talking rubbish.

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The phrase "utter bollocks" is so eloquent isn't it

OP posts:
Magnastorm · 12/10/2024 23:27

Roundthemoon · 12/10/2024 23:25

The phrase "utter bollocks" is so eloquent isn't it

Show quote history

🤣🤣🤣

Would you prefer "talking shite" or "spouting gibberish"?

Because all are true.

Rantypanties · 12/10/2024 23:27

The Big One is listed as 235ft high but from sea level it’s actually 213ft so again, where is your source for the height of steeplechase?

IlovePond · 12/10/2024 23:29

I have @Roundthemoon - I was scared but my kids loved it! I was surprised that they hadn’t installed a lap bar or strap, (at least they hadn’t when I went on the ride ages ago). My DH said that as long as everyone stays seated the gravity/force thingy keeps you safe, (I don’t understand the physics!) It was built in a simpler time when seatbelts weren’t considered necessary! I enjoy the idea of it as a historical icon but wouldn’t go on it again myself.

There’s a plaque on it - or used to be - that says that the inventor built it partly to encourage interest in his ‘real’ flying machines!

It’s got a listing in Historic England:

https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1436214

Sir Hiram Maxim's Captive Flying Machine, Non Civil Parish - 1436214 | Historic England

List entry 1436214. Grade II Listed Building: Sir Hiram Maxim's Captive Flying Machine. May include summary, reasons for designation and history.

https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1436214

Rantypanties · 12/10/2024 23:29

‘How would we know there’s not been an accident on it?’ Are you suggesting the park wouldn’t report an accident to HSE in an attempt to cover it up to keep the ride going?!

QueenOfHiraeth · 12/10/2024 23:30

For Heaven's sake! I have been going to the Pleasure Beach since the 1960s and have never heard such ridiculousness!

Those rides have been going for donkey's years, giving thousands of people pleasure every year with no accidents but, because you are a wimp, you want things closed down!
I went with my parents, our children came with us and I look forward to taking the GCs.

I remember the ride the death in the article you linked to happened on. It was a roller coaster inside the dome at the back of the site (it is still there and painted like the moon surface with craters, etc) and it went round in the pitch dark with flashing lights so was very disorienting. The rumour was that the boy stood up in the car but, whether the did or not, his death was tragic

Rantypanties · 12/10/2024 23:32

The dark ride being referred to isn’t at the park anymore.

Original poster
Roundthemoon · 12/10/2024 23:33

Rantypanties · 12/10/2024 23:27

The Big One is listed as 235ft high but from sea level it’s actually 213ft so again, where is your source for the height of steeplechase?

It literally is the first thing that comes up when you Google "height of steeplechase".

Can people not even be bothered to look. I've attached a screenshot of the first thing that came up when I did a Google search.

I'm not posting any more links that can be easily found yourselves.

Blackpool pleasure beach
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Original poster
Roundthemoon · 12/10/2024 23:34

QueenOfHiraeth · 12/10/2024 23:30

For Heaven's sake! I have been going to the Pleasure Beach since the 1960s and have never heard such ridiculousness!

Those rides have been going for donkey's years, giving thousands of people pleasure every year with no accidents but, because you are a wimp, you want things closed down!
I went with my parents, our children came with us and I look forward to taking the GCs.

I remember the ride the death in the article you linked to happened on. It was a roller coaster inside the dome at the back of the site (it is still there and painted like the moon surface with craters, etc) and it went round in the pitch dark with flashing lights so was very disorienting. The rumour was that the boy stood up in the car but, whether the did or not, his death was tragic

Reported for personally insulting me, which as you well know, is not allowed on mumsnet

OP posts:
Original poster
Roundthemoon · 12/10/2024 23:35

Rantypanties · 12/10/2024 23:29

‘How would we know there’s not been an accident on it?’ Are you suggesting the park wouldn’t report an accident to HSE in an attempt to cover it up to keep the ride going?!

Who said that. You made quite a jump.

Who said they didn't report an accident.

I said how would we know if there was an accident?

We don't know everything that goes on. Millions of people go there.

A woman said that she knows someone who broke their leg on one of the rides, but you don't see it online anywhere.

OP posts: