Rhyl Ocean Beach Closed September '08

Welcome to our Rhyl page! If you have any news, links or  pictures, please 29th October 2007.  A team from the Dreamland campaign salvaged the boats and key mechanical parts from the Water Chute.  Full story at: http://www.savedreamland.co.uk/news.htm 27th October 2007.  The Water Chute main structure was completely down , with just the station, lake and winding house remaining.  The cars still remain but the Lift Hill has gone, and the chain severed. 20th October 2007.  I checked out Ocean Beach, and the Jet Stream has been demolished for scrap, the Water Chute has a large section of the main drop removed, and the Pepsi Loop has been dismantled and stacked in sections for removal.  Click to see images  See also the Magic Eye Gallery on the Joyland Books Website   There was a plan to dismantle the Water Chute by the Save Dreamland campaigne but the financiers pulled out shortly before the project was to begin. 7th August 2007.   I visited Rhyl in what turned out to be the last summer season, as the site has been closed for redevelopment.  Rhyl Ocean Beach Closed on September 2nd 2007. See the proposals HERE February 2007  I also went there in February 2007, just before they had started preparing for the summer season.  See our galleries here More information and pictures at: www.tmphotography.piczo.com See also these historic picture galleries Click Here End of an era for Rhyl's funfair The historic funfair at Rhyl, Denbighshire, has opened its doors for the last time. The seafront funfair, which dates back to the 1890s, will be demolished to make way for an £85m development with apartments, cafes and pubs.  Despite once attracting many thousands of tourists, the funfair's popularity has declined since the 1960s. Town mayor Dave Thomas said he felt "sadness" at the closure, but said Rhyl now had to look to the future.  Mr Thomas, who once worked at the funfair, added: "On one side of me it's a sadness because I have been part of the team that's brought enjoyment to a lot of holidaymakers.  "But the other thing is, we have got to look ahead. A lot of seaside towns now are suffering."   All rides at the funfair cost £1 to mark the last day on Sunday 2nd September. Harold Robinson, the funfair's chief executive, said: "Seaside resorts aren't what they used to be.  "I'm afraid it's the way things are going for the small amusement parks like us. We're not getting the visitors that we used to get.  "They're all doing other things now, holidays have changed. There's more in-house entertainment, there's more out-of-town shopping, there's cheap holidays abroad. It's all played a part." Package holidays  Rhyl took off as a holiday resort once its rail station opened in 1848 and by the 1890s the Marine Lake fairground was seeing thousands of visitors annually.  The funfair moved to its present site on the seafront after World War II, but it later fell victim to the rise of the overseas package holiday.   The town too has suffered in recent years, with the West End ward - which takes in the seafront - being described in 2000 as the most deprived area in Wales. Denbighshire Council believes the new development will form a vital part of the town's regeneration in recent years. The Ocean beach plan, put forward by Manchester-based Modus Properties, also includes a hotel and a supermarket.   The local authority's planning officers recommended the council back the scheme - which will also include affordable housing and a conference centre - and approval was granted in May.   A spokesperson for Denbighshire County Council said: "It is always sad when a much loved attraction has to close, however times change and Rhyl needs to move with these changing times.   "The Rhyl Going Forward project is the dawn of a new era for the whole of the town.   "The Ocean Plaza project on the former Fun Fair site is a catalyst for development in the West End of the town."   But some people who cater for the tourists attracted by the promenade said the town would lose out and claimed the new scheme offers little for visitors.  BBC News - 02 September 2007  diaper bags