ASTROGLIDE

Manufactured and Installed in 1975     Made by Bennetts of Nottinghamshire 

The Astroglide is basically a six lane slide constructed from rolled steel joists which have been galvanised for protection.

The ascending stairs have a wooden safety rail attached to aluminium angle supports to prevent the ride users from falling over the sides while climbing the stairs. 

Having reached the top of the ride, which is 7.6 metres above the ground, descent is made by sitting on a mat and launching yourself down the glass reinforced polyester slide, coloured with pigment to enhance appearance.

The Astroglide is a large construction and because of this physical size and the area it covers across the width, the legs have been diagonally braced with torsion rods which can be adjusted as required. 

CUPS AND SAUCERS 

Manufactured and Installed in 1989  Made by Arm U.K., Oxford 

The Cups & Saucers ride is based loosely on the roundabout principle whereby the six G.R.P. Cups & Saucers are mounted on radial arms coming from a central rotating point which is supported by a fixed column.  Riders sit in the cups which are then rotated on the radial arms by means of an electric motor and gearbox.  The riders can also rotate the cups, which have independent pivot points by means of a wheel fixed to the pivot point and allowing the cup to rotate about it.  The photo shows our original set, but these were overhauled in 2009 and now sport brand new cups, saucers and teapot! 

DODGEMS

Manufactured in 1980     Installed in 1984     Made by Track-Reverchen 77200
France Cars replaced in 1992, supplied by SOLI Bumper Cars I E Park 

The "bed" of the Dodgems Arena is made from hardened steel for the reasons of electrical conductivity and durability.  This heavy structure is supported by a framework designed to lift the metal decking clear of the ground level.  

The Dodgems are a popular ride and great importance is attached to aesthetic appearance which means increased maintenance is required for the structure.  The roof area is important from the point of view of keeping bad weather out, but also to support the metal netting which supplies one of the electrical pick up points required for the cars to work.

Drive System 

The cars are powered by a 90 volt, D.C. supply as directed by the Health & Safety Executive. These electric motors are mounted to the steering column drive wheel assembly and are adequately protected by the design of the front of the cars. 

Power is picked up by the "arm" fixed to the car as it contacts the metal netting in the roof. This is the (+) positive side of the electrical circuit.  Current flows down the arm, through the motor and out through a metal tyre on one of the wheels, which of course, contacts the decking on which the car runs.  The decking is the (-) negative side of the circuit.  This completes the circuit and the car motor can be operated.

MINI JETS

Manufactured and Installed in 1952     Made by Supercars, Warwick 

The Mini Jets are made from Fibreglass which is supported by a steel framework and are intended to be raised and lowered as well as rotating.  The revolving structure spins around a firmly secured central column.  Each Jet can be raised and lowered by a hydraulic ram which pushes up and lowers a steel rod to which the Jet is attached via an arm; rather like the action of an umbrella when it is raised and lowered. 

Drive System 

Rotational power is supplied using an electric motor and each Jet is raised and lowered in sequence using hydraulic rams.  The normal ride follows the pattern of spin, raise, lower, raise, and when the ride duration is reached, the Jets "windmill" down.  An inverter is used to stop the ride.  This is a control device that reverses the drive direction so that the ride can be stopped within half a revolution.

ROUNDABOUT 

Manufactured in 1950    Installed in 1970    Made by Jacksons, Congleton, Cheshire.

The Roundabout is a traditional design, using steamrollers, trains, cars and similar objects, made from painted wood/plywood and aimed at younger children as an attraction. 

The Roundabout revolves around a rigid central column and is basically a wooden platform on which the rides are fixed. 

The unit is powered by an electric motor, using the slipping clutch principle so that complete control is maintained over power delivery and ride speed.  

PIRATE SHIP 

Manufactured and Installed in 1982     Made by Kallenkoop, Holland 

Gross weight - 44.5 tonnes.
2 "boats" each weighing 6 tonnes. 

The two boats are supported on two giant 'A' frames, which are cross braced for rigidity and have a height from base to apex of 14 metres.  The construction material is mild steel tube. Maximum capacity for each boat - 40 people. Surfaces are protected by paint.  The boats hang like two large pendulums, suspended by a grid work of diagonally braced tubular frames.  The boats swing on 4 large bearings, two for each boat, which are mounted on the top of the 'A' frames on a large axle, running between the 'A' frames.  Passengers are held in position by compressed air operated barriers and these can only be operated from the main control centre.  Once the boat is in operation, it takes three seconds to swing from one arc extremity to the other at maximum operational speed.  Only one boat may be operated at a time because of the forces set up and the risk of the 'A' frames "walking". Interestingly, when in operation, all the dynamic forces are contained within the structure. 

Drive System 

The boats have a large metal strip fastened to their keels to reduce wear from the drive.  Drive is transmitted to the boats via a double set of bogey wheels fore and aft, which oscillate according to the direction of travel, so that one tyred wheel contacts the keel and pushes in one direction before the other is lifted into position as the boat reverses direction.  These wheels are belt driven from an electric motor and are operated on a rocker system so that the aft pair come into play when the swing of the boat places it at that end and so on.  Braking of the system is simply a matter of reducing the drive wheel speed as the keel passes that bogey wheel.

Other Attractions

Traditional Carousel	Drop Tower	Laser Dome
Crazy Golf	Rockin Tug