RAP Interiors Trip To Dreamland

It’s really happening – our Heritage pleasure park is coming back in 2015. Having been invited to see the latest developments for Margate’s infamous Dreamland, RAP Interiors was lucky to see the Scenic Railway on the day the two pieces joined together. Being built on the site by Top Bond the structure and detail was amazing. The park last closed in 2003 and then a disastrous fire in 2008 wiped out what was remaining of the old Dreamland as we know and loved it. “In the early 2000s, the park began to enter into decline, and a number of rides were sold to other theme parks. The park’s owner announced in 2003 that Dreamland would be closed and the site redeveloped, although the listing of the Scenic Railway meant it could not be moved. Public support and a government report led to the site being sold to Margate Town Centre Regeneration Company in 2005. A number of residents launched a campaign to restore the site, although Dreamland subsequently closed in the same year. The site fell into a state of disrepair and was subject to a series of arson attacks, one of which significantly damaged the Scenic Railway. The public campaign to restore the park continued, and in September 2013, ownership passed to Thanet District Council after a compulsory purchase order was approved by a High Court judge. In 2014, it was confirmed that the park would be redeveloped and is due to reopen in 2015 as a “Heritage Amusement Park”. ( from Wikipedia) pleasure-park-dreamland-Margate-soon-to-be-open Described as the heartbeat of Margate, Dreamland was one of the UK’s best-loved amusement parks and at one time listed within the UK’s top ten visitor attractions. Comprising 16-acres, the park included a zoo, miniature railway, 2,200- seat purpose built Cinema, cafés, restaurants, bars, retail and a 2,000-capacity ballroom playing host to The Who, The Yardbirds, the Rolling Stones, T. Rex and Hawkwind to name but a few… Considered to be the oldest surviving amusement park in Great Britain, the site of Dreamland (as it was re-named in 1920) dates back to the British railway boom of the early 1860s when, in its original form, the ‘Hall by the Sea’ was operated by the famous circus impresario, ‘Lord’ George Sanger. Fast forward to 2003, when a plan to close the park and build housing on the site triggered a ‘Save Dreamland’ campaign. The Dreamland Trust emerged from the campaign and worked with partners to secure £18m public funding to restore Dreamland and its jewels: the Grade II*-listed Scenic Railway, Grade II*-listed cinema complex and Grade II-listed menagerie cages. In a bold move, Thanet District Council compulsorily purchased the site in September 2013 and work began in 2014 to restore the iconic Scenic Railway, as well as breathing new life into the lower ground floor of the cinema building, with sympathetic landscaping, exciting design and contemporary branding. In saving Dreamland, The Dreamland Trust, the local community and Thanet District Council managed something truly remarkable. Their hard work and determination have enabled generations to come, the ability to enjoy this vital aspect of British seaside heritage, that without them would have been lost forever. The UK’s original Pleasure Park is being re-imagined, ready to welcome a new generation of fun-seeking visitors to an ‘old-fashioned, yet oh-so-fashionable’ world of thrills, amusements and good times. Where else in the UK can you clamber aboard a host of stylishly restored, recreated and retro-fitted rides and amusements from the Golden Age of British seaside holidays? There’ll be more than just brilliant retro rides and amusements. Dreamland will be a world where vintage cool holds hands with modern design and goes for a lovely beachside stroll. To keep those smiles wide, we’ve got your British comfort food favourites, all lovingly made from local Kent produce, We’ve also lined up a host of unmissable events, celebrating the best of British Culture, each with that unmistakable Dreamland vibe. Everywhere you look, there will be a wonderful sense of seaside magic bringing rides, classic sideshows and traditional fairground games lovingly back to life. Not to mention film screenings, concerts and amazing installations too. All part of the great big happy day out that will be Dreamland Margate. the-scenic-railway-at-dreamland-margate-kent Dreamland are looking for partners or sponsors who may be interested in getting involved in this high profile and exciting venture. For more information please contact the Sponsorship and Partnerships Manager by emailing Katie@dreamland.co.uk Dreamland is coming back this summer! Get the latest updates by signing up to their website. Some of the team at RAP Interiors took a trip down memory lane and tell us what they remembered from Dreamland. “I Remember travelling down on the train in the school holidays with my friends, excited about spending the day at the funfair. Loved the Mary Rose & the Scenic Railway, screaming my head off. Loved the smell of the fresh sea air.” – Amanda, Health & Safety Manager “When I lived in London we used to get on the train to Margate as this was an exciting outing to the seaside away from the concrete jungle! I used to go with my sister and friends for a day’s outing in the early 70’s on a weekend and spent several days there in the school summer holidays. It was always very exciting after an hour’s train ride to arrive in Margate and walk to Dreamland and my favourite ride was the ghost train, the big wheel and the waltzer. There was a great amusement area where we used to play the penny machines and we wouldn’t ever leave without a visit to the candy floss kiosk!” – Carolyne, Projects Assistant “I remember travelling down on the train with my friends and queuing with anticipation as this was the only Theme Park in the South East! The rickety roller coaster was the best ride but you were not always sure if it would make it all the way round! The Mary Rose was also a good thrill seeking ride although I always felt scared the higher the ship went!!” – Fleur, Accounts Manager “When I was about 10 – 11 years old I use to think I was really cool going to Dreamland with a group of Friends we use to get the train from Orpington straight to Margate. We would get there about 10 and leave about 5. I would spend the day on and off the rides, eating chips and candy floss. Back then, I had a cast iron stomach so I would even ride the waltzer!! But my 2 favourite rides were the Scenic Railway and the Marie Rose. On our walk back to the train station, we would share a bag of doughnuts. My kids have been to pretty much all of the UK theme parks it would be lovely to take them back to a theme park of my era and relive some of my youth. Who knows I might even brave the waltzer once again. One thing is for certain I will defiantly be eating a hot doughnut on my way home!!” – Jayne, Office Manager

For more information on RAP Interiors Trip To Dreamland talk to Rap Interiors