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www.parkworld-online.comPark PeopleJC – As Alton Towers developed and other inlandparks started appearing, it seemed reasonable towelcome other types of visitor attractions, whetherthat’s museums like Beamish or more recently farmparks.How did the emergence of inland “themepark” Alton Towers affect you as seasidepark operators?JB – I think you have to give credit to John Broomefor creating what was the first UK theme park assuch. It raised the bar generally, and John was thefirst one to bring American standards of operating tothe UK. I remember you would go up there and hehad pavement-scrubbing machines to get rid ofchewing gum. I didn’t even know these things existed!GS – He did things properly. But it was all about theCorkscrew [looping coaster]! He spent the previoussummer touring round looking at all these things,came back, put the Corkscrew in, and that was AltonTowers. That ride was in all their marketing.JC – It was actually Geoffrey Thompson [BlackpoolPleasure Beach] who brokered the deal on theCorkscrew. I was with Geoffrey when he introducedJohn Broome to Roland Koch, the German operator.Overnight he created the opposition to his own park,but that’s how kindhearted Geoffrey was. TheRevolution [looping coaster] came soon after at thePleasure Beach.Would you accept the proposition thattheme parks have never really caught on inthe UK?JC – I think “theme park” is a very overused phrase.I think there are very few true theme parks in theworld, and certainly the UK.MH – Look at the American Adventure, it just didn’thappen did it? And they threw enough money at it.JC – I have to say I was a real idiot at Barry Islandbecause I tried to take on the theme parks by puttingin a jungle boat ride …in South Wales. I must havebeen nuts!GS – I do think a certain theme should run throughBALPPA chairmen past and present pictured at January’s 75th anniversary dinner. From left to right:John Collins OBE, Gary Smart, Adrian Mahon, David Cam, Richard Pawley, Colin Dawson, JohnBollom, Roland Mack (IAAPA chairman) and Tim BatstoneAAPP to BALPPAFormed in November 1936 by a handful of 11families, the Association of Amusement ParkProprietors (AAPP) became the BritishAssociation of Leisure Parks, Piers andAttractions in 1986.Today the association represents interests ofover 180 operating members, in addition toover 100 trade associate members. The currentBALPPA chairman is Merlin Entertainments’Adrian Mahon, while former BALPPA andIAAPA chairman John Collins OBE serves asthe association’s president.Well regarded within the corridors of power,BALPPA has been said to ‘punch above itsweight’ when it comes to lobbying activities.Currently on the association’s agenda is afight to reduce the level of VAT (tax) ontourism and an appeal for ‘daylight daving,’which would bring the UK into the same timezone as the rest of Western Europe and givemost BALPPA members and extra hour ofdaylight in the evening. A continuing source ofinterest to the membership are the UK’sgambling regulations, reflecting theimportance of coin-operated gaming revenueto operators on the coast.As well as its political activity, theassociation provides a social programme,including get togethers at various trade showsand events, an annual dinner in London, andtours to parks at home and abroad duringBALPPA’s summer meetings and autumnregional meetings.There now follows a list of the 11 founderAAPP members, proving just how strong theindustry’s roots at the seaside are:•Leonard Thompson, Blackpool PleasureBeach•Oliver Dalton, Brighton Palace Pier•HFB Iles, Dreamland, Margate•Cyril Bertram Mills, Olympia Circus & Fair,London•FE Williams, Kursaal, Southend•William Butlin, Butlin’s Holiday Parks•GE Booth, Amusement Equipment Ltd•Robert Parker, Blackpool Tower•Alderman Wood, Southport Corporation•DF Warren, Merrie England, Ramsgate•E Kingsman, Clacton Pier•Albert Hargreaves, Fleetwood PierMARCH 201225