Quarter 4, 2013

Quarter 4, 2013
In this issue:
2013……What a year!
BALPPA Annual Dinner 2014
EAG International 2014
Congratulations to recent award
winners
Blackpool Pleasure Beach bids
farewell to David Cam
Dates for your diary
BALPPA WELCOMES NEW MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE MEMBER
We are delighted to announce the appointment of Janice Dunphy to BALPPA’s
Management Committee. Following a recent vote by the FEC Members, Janice was
nominated to become part of the committee. Since joining BALPPA, Janice has
worked hard to support and encourage the FEC Members, enabling them to reap the
benefits of their membership to BALPPA.
Janice said, “I am absolutely thrilled to have been
voted onto the ManCom and will approach this
post with the same enthusiasm and commitment
that I hope I have demonstrated in the past. I feel
privileged to represent the FECA Members and
will welcome all feedback and direction from
them. BALPPA has welcomed us with open arms
and this post has demonstrated their
commitment to our sector. I would personally like
to thank everyone who voted for me, and urge
every FECA Member to be involved with events
and opportunities going forward.”
Janice receives her “Host Venue”
award from Bob O’Connor during the
2013 Regional Meeting.
Bob O’Connor, BALPPA’s Chairman commented, “As Chairman of BALPPA I am
delighted to welcome Janice Dunphy to our Management Committee. Her sector
knowledge of FEC's and general leisure businesses will not only be a great addition to
the committee but will also act as a statement to the importance of the FEC sector
within BALPPA . Janice's appointment also helps to balance the male / female bias on
the current committee.
Welcome Janice, I know the whole ManCom are looking forward to your input in our
meetings.”
ANNUAL DINNER 2014
Monday 20th January
Set to be the best attended Annual
Dinner in BALPPA’s history!
Due to the great demand, we have increased
the number of guests so limited spaces are
available!
Level 2, Oxo Tower Wharf,
Bargehouse Street,
Southbank
London. SE1 9PH
Drinks reception at 7pm
Dress code: Black Tie
Carriages: 11.30pm
With thanks to our generous sponsors:
The Annual Dinner is priced at £95 per person + VAT. Please complete the
booking form and return it to events@balppa.org or to our postal address by
return to secure your place.
BALPPA SUPPORTS THE EAG INTERNATIONAL SHOW 2014
BALPPA is pleased to once again be supporting the EAG
International Show at London’s ExCeL from 21st – 23rd January
2014.
BALPPA is also delighted that many of its members are exhibiting at the show which is now in its 5th
year and firmly established as the inaugural event in the annual amusement and leisure industry
calendar. With BALPPA’s support, the show is embracing a wider amusements and attractions sector,
reflecting the removal of many traditional divisions in the market place.
VISITOR INFORMATION
Show dates and location: 21st – 23rd January 2013, ExCeL Exhibition Centre, London
Registration: BALPPA Members please register using the following link and remember to check the
box on the registration form indicating that you are a BALPPA Member: REGISTER NOW
For further information about the show please visit: www.eagexpo.com
DIARY DATES
Monday 20th January:
MANCOM Meeting (Management Committee Members) – BALPPA Office, Queens House, 55-56
Lincoln’s Inn Fields, London WC2A 3BH
BALPPA Annual Dinner – Level 2, Oxo Tower Wharf, Bargehouse Street, London. SE1 9PH – 7pm.
Tuesday 21st January:
BALPPA AGM – South Gallery Room 1, ExCeL London at 11am
BALPPA AGM Lunch – ExCeL London, BALPPA stand 31 on the show floor at 12.30pm
BALPPA FEC Members’ Meeting – South Gallery Room 1, ExCeL London at 2pm
EAG Reception – The Fox Bar, adjacent to ExCeL – 6.30pm until late. Complimentary food and drink will
be available as well as a VIP area for BALPPA Members.
Accommodation:
We have secured a preferential rate for the night of Monday 20th January at the Double Tree by Hilton
Hotel, 7 Pepys Street, London EC3N 4AF which is just a short distance away from Oxo Tower Wharf and
has good transport links to ExCeL. Rooms start at £190.80 including breakfast and VAT. To book your
room please use this dedicated BALPPA link:
http://doubletree.hilton.com/en/dt/groups/personalized/L/LONTLDI-ABALA20140120/index.jhtml?WT.mc_id=POG
This link will remain live until 31st December 2013. At the time of booking, a credit card will be required
from you to secure the reservation.
There are a number of other hotels within the local area where you may be able to secure a cheaper
rate if you book directly with the hotel. Some suggestions are; Premier Inn, London City (Tower Hill),
Premier Inn, Tower Bridge Road and Novotel, London Tower Bridge.
Clients, Collaborators and Friends, Merry Christmas and
looking forward to an exciting 2014.
2013…….WHAT A YEAR!
BALPPA CEO, Paul Kelly reflects on a bumper BALPPA year.
It’s been an incredibly busy year for BALPPA and I can’t believe it’s over a year since I joined the
BALPPA family! From events to lobbying to individual attractions and business successes I am so
pleased that 2013 has been a successful one for many and would like to take this opportunity to
thank all of our Members for their continued support and loyal Membership. On behalf of the whole
BALPPA team we would like to wish you and yours a Merry Christmas and here’s to a successful
2014!
January
*BALPPA hosts Annual Dinner at the
British Music Experience, London’s
O2
*BALPPA AGM held at ExCeL, London
where we thank outgoing Chairman,
Adrian Mahon and welcome Bob
O’Connor as new BALPPA Chairman
BALPPA attends EAG International
Show, ExCeL, London
*Coin Op Group meeting, ExCeL,
London
February
*Lobbying Group conference call
March
Bob O’Connor presents John
Penrose MP with the BALPPA
Parliamentary Champion award
*BALPPA hosts Parliamentary
Reception at the House of Commons
April
*Zoo Group meeting at Marwell Zoo
*Marketing Group meeting at Marwell Zoo
*Lobbying Group conference call
May
*FEC Group meeting at Alton Towers.
*Lobbying Group conference call
June
*FEC Group meeting at Chessington World of Adventures.
*Planning & Development Group meeting at Chester Zoo
*Coin Op Group meeting, Weston Super Mare
*BALPPA hosts sold out Summer Conference. With visits to
Windsor Racecourse, Warner Bros. Studio Tour London – The
Making of Harry Potter, Thorpe Park, Hobbledown and a Gala
Dinner at Chessington World of Adventures Resort, a great
time was had by all!
2013…….WHAT A YEAR! CONT…..
BALPPA CEO, Paul Kelly reflects on a bumper BALPPA year.
July / August
*With the Met Office positive of a good summer, BALPPA Members gear up for
the sunshine and enjoy a successful school holiday period!
September
*Marketing Group meeting at Chessington
World of Adventures
*Planning & Development Group meeting at
Paulton’s Park
*Lobbying Group conference call
*BALPPA attends EAS in Paris and hosts
drinks reception
*BALPPA attends LIW in Birmingham and
host drinks reception at Drayton Manor.
October
*Zoo Group meeting at Bristol Zoo
*FEC Group meeting at Web Adventure Park
*Lobbying Group conference call
*BALPPA attends VAC Conference, London
*BALPPA Members descend on York for the 2013
Regional Meeting – another sold out event”
November
*Lobbying Group conference call
*BALPPA runs HR Seminar at Blackpool Pleasure Beach
*BALPPA attends IAAPA, Orlando and hosts drinks
reception
*BALPPA runs H & S Seminar at Drayton Manor.
December
*Janice Dunphy, Web Adventure Park is elected to the BALPPA Management Committee.
*BALPPA plans for another jam-packed year – bring on 2014!
RECENT AWARD WINNERS
We are delighted that recently some of our Members
have received awards of recognition and would like to
take this opportunity to congratulate theses
businesses and their teams.
GRAND PIER VOTED BUSINESS OF THE YEAR
The Grand Pier was recently voted Business of the Year at the
North Somerset Business Leader Awards.
Over 260 of the region’s top business leaders and companies were
in attendance at the inaugural North Somerset Business Leader
Awards, hosted by Sir Ranulph Fiennes OBE.
Michelle Michael MBE
receives her award from
Rob Hall, senior manager
at Lloyds Bank and Sir
Ranulph Fiennes OBE.
Grand Pier Director Michelle Michael said: “We were delighted to
win the Business of the Year Award for 2013. It was particularly
good to receive the accolade for the Grand Pier three years after
its’ opening. It is testament to our team that we continue to
high standards of guest experience together with excellent customer service. We were very
impressed with the quality of the awards and the way in which they were organised. Sir Ranulph
Fiennes OBE was a superb speaker and rounded off an excellent evening. There was plenty of
networking to do and I believe that the last guests left after 3am. All in all a thoroughly good
evening and one to be recommended to all the businesses in our area”.
IAAPA BRASS RING AWARDS RECOGNISE ATTRACTIONS INDUSTRY
EXCELLENCE IN ENTERTAINMENT, MARKETING AND MORE.
Hundreds of attractions industry professionals from amusement
parks, water parks, family entertainment centres, zoos, aquariums,
science centres, museums, and more packed the IAAPA Theatre for
the IAAPA Brass Ring Awards ceremony honouring the industry’s
best and brightest.
Among the winners was BALPPA Member 1st Attractions Ltd who
were awarded ‘Best New Product’ in the Technology Applied to
Amusements Sector. This was for the development of the software
and product for the interactive attraction Deadly Challenge which
opened at Longleat Safari Park in May 2013. That was not all! 1st
Attractions Ltd went on to also win the overall ‘Impact Award’,
which recognises the best new product/service in the amusement
parks and attractions industry for 2013.
Richard Jones and Stephen
Reid of 1st Attractions Ltd
accept their award from
Robert
S.
Logan,
Committee Chair, IAAPA
HOBBLEDOWN RECEIVES BEST BUSINESS AWARD
Hobbledown has been named the Best Business in Epsom and
Epsom Downs and was awarded the title at the recent Epsom
and Ewell Business Awards 2013.
Hobbledown’s General Manager David Long said: “We are delighted to have received this award and
want to thank all of our customers who nominated us and have supported us since we opened in
July 2012.”
The awards took place on November 21st and were hosted by Chris Grayling, Epsom and Ewell MP
and Secretary of State for Justice. He said: “Epsom and Ewell has always had a dynamic business
community and our businesses continue to provide an excellent service to their customers even in
difficult times economically. These awards are a celebration of local business excellence.”
JULIE BROOKES, WEB ADVENTURE PARK WINS MAJOR TOURISM
AWARD
Julie Brookes of the Web Adventure Park has been announced as winner of
the Outstanding Customer Service Award at the White Rose Awards 2013 the biggest tourism awards in the UK. The Web Adventure Park were one of
16 winners at the glittering ceremony at New Dock Hall in Leeds.
Janice Dunphy MD from The Web Adventure Park said: “We are absolutely
thrilled that Julie has won this prestigious Award. She is the face of the park
and her care and customer service is outstanding. She really goes the extra
mile and has worked for us since we opened over nine years ago, and is
often recognised by children when she is out of work. The team are still
celebrating, and Julie hasn’t stopped smiling, it is such an honour! This is the
second award Julie has won for her customer service, winning the Leisure
Industry Aspire Employee of the year in 2008, and Minster FM Mum of the
Year in 2012, she will soon need a bigger shelf”
“Julie makes a difference every single day, and the park enjoys many positive comments about how
welcoming the whole team are! We see thousands of tourists every year coming through the doors
and we are committed to giving them an outstanding visit. We enjoy informing them about other
great places to visit during their holidays, Yorkshire is an amazing County and we do our best to
ensure they visit as many places as possible during their stay. With visitor numbers increasing every
year we now employ over 65 staff, which has doubled in the last three years. Business is booming,
but we genuinely do believe this is about the passion of the team that work here as well as the
product.”
ZOO WINS NATIONAL AWARD
Paignton Zoo Environmental Park has won a top
national zoo award for its work with a bird that in this
country is found only in the South West of England.
The Best Field Conservation Project award, from BIAZA
(the British and Irish Association of Zoos and
Aquariums), is for the charity’s work with cirl buntings.
The Zoo’s bird department has played a key role in a project to translocate cirl
buntings to a secret site in Cornwall. Curator of Birds Jo Gregson said: “Zoo staff
helped to collect young chicks from nests in South Devon for rearing and release in
Cornwall. The birds have gone to a larger habitat which will allow them to expand
their range in the future. The population in Devon has become land-locked due to
development and farming practices. That sort of work needs a lot of care and
experience.”
The event, known as the Zoo “Oscars” is held to celebrate some of the incredible contributions
made by the zoo community to animal welfare, wildlife conservation, public understanding and
horticulture.
BLACKPOOL PLEASURE BEACH BIDS FAREWELL TO DAVID CAM….FOR
NOW!
Blue Peter’s loss was Blackpool’s gain.....For after graduating from
university one of the first jobs David Cam applied for was to replace
outgoing Blue Peter presenter John Noakes.
The BBC turned him down, David joined the Pleasure Beach instead and
the rest, as they say, is history. David, 58, is retiring from his role as
company secretary and a director of the Pleasure Beach after 32 years
devoting himself to “manufacturing fun.” His links to the park actually go
back even further - his dad also worked there 32 years and David joined
as a 16-year-old in 1971 working in the catering section during his school
holidays.
The success of the Pleasure Beach is a barometer for the success of Blackpool as a whole, and
championing the resort has always been in David’s heart. As a teenager when he took part in the
World Scout Jamboree in Japan, he even took a giant stick of Blackpool rock to present on behalf of
the council.
Over the years he has served on external bodies including BALPPA and is a Deputy Lieutenant of
Lancashire, while he endeavours to bend the ear of every politician who comes his way about the
need to prioritise tourism. He explains: “It is a love for the business, but more than that, a way of
life and total dedication to what you do. That’s what makes the Pleasure Beach what it is, and there
are a lot of people like that here.”
HOGWARTS IN THE SNOW
The first snow of the season has fallen at Warner Bros.
Studio Tour London – The Making of Harry Potter and
the breathtaking 1:24 scale model of Hogwarts has
been covered in a blanket of snow.
Model Effects Supervisor Jose Granell worked on the Harry Potter
film series and returned to the Studio Tour to lead the team who
snowed the model; using cherry pickers, ladders of various sizes
and giant sieves to sprinkle snow on to the model like icing sugar
on a cake.
Some of the intricately detailed sets showcased at the attraction have also been given a festive
makeover using the actual decorations and food props seen in Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s
Stone.
Eight magnificent Christmas trees line the
Great Hall and two of the long dining tables
have been dressed as they were for seasonal
feasts with prop versions of turkeys, hams,
fruit, vegetables, plum puddings and snow
cakes.
The snow was originally due to be removed
th
on Sunday 6 January with the Great Hall’s
Christmas decorations. However, due to
phenomenal demand, the snow will stay until
nd
Sunday 2 February 2014, offering even more
visitors the incredible opportunity to see the
model’s winter makeover up close.
Interactor Chelsea
Carter-Crosby adds
some of the last sprinkles of snow onto the
Hogwarts model.
TURNER CN ENTERPRISES ACCELERATES GROWTH OF
LAZYTOWN LIVE EVENTS IN KEY EMEA MARKETS
Fresh broadcast content and robust live events
programme confirmed until 2015 cementing
commercial brand licensing opportunity.
Turner CN Enterprises (TCNE), the licensing division of Turner Broadcasting, recently announced a raft of
new agreements that will see a busy schedule of LazyTown live events roll out across the EMEA region from
2014.
As the only truly global health brand for children, LazyTown’s Sportacus and friends will motivate kids to lead
an active lifestyle through a roster of high energy live shows and meet and greets where the characters will
interact with young audiences at popular retail and family destinations.
Leading preschool live entertainment firm MEI is signed to manage ticketed live appearances for LazyTown in
the Middle East and Africa. The partnership with MEI marks a shift up in gear for Turner’s live events
programme in the Middle East, which has been gaining momentum over the summer. LazyTown featured on
the bill within the Cartoon Network Village as part of Summer in Abu Dhabi Festival for Children at Abu
Dhabi’s National Exhibition Center. The show drew record crowds over its 14-week run beating off stiff
competition from Ben 10, Bananas in Pyjamas, Dexter’s Laboratory and the Powerpuff Girls to be named
Cartoon Network’s best attended show of the festival buoyed by its cross gender and multi demographic
appeal.
In the UK, a new stage show production from MEI is currently in development and will tour the country from
Q2 2015. Producer Ministry of Fun has acquired the rights to manage non-ticketed meet and greets and live
events and it will be responsible for manufacturing all the stage show costumes for EMEA partners. The new
agreement adds to Ministry of Fun’s current remit of managing mini-shows and character appearances for
the brand in the UK. In addition to these territories, Terernggen Show Productions in Germany and CA in
Spain have both extended their agreement with TCNE and will now be managing non-ticketed meet and
greets with Sportacus to drive footfall at shopping centres and family festivals.
“LazyTown has its roots in live entertainment and creating opportunities for kids to physically interact and
engage directly with the characters is central to Magnus’ original vision for the brand,” says Alan Fenwick,
Vice President, Turner CN Enterprises. “Our partnerships with leaders in their field like MEI and Ministry of
Fun are part of an overarching strategy to build an all encompassing events programme that gives fans of the
show multiple touch points and also provides an exciting entry point for those coming to it for the first time.”
The events will enhance consumer engagement and increase exposure for the brand in key EMEA markets,
which will be underpinned by a pipeline of fresh broadcast content. Series 3 of LazyTown is currently on air
and syndicated on FTA and digital networks that reach 125 million homes throughout EMEA and Series 4,
which is currently in production, confirms broadcast syndication through to 2015.
Fenwick continues, ‘”Expanding LazyTown’s live events programme reaffirms our commitment to creating
strong content platforms and ensures an on-going calendar of LazyTown activity which will be vital to driving
growth and attracting new licensing partners in the EMEA region.”
THE BUSINESS - A REPUTATION
FOR INNOVATION!
The past couple of years have
really seen our reputation for
innovation gain momentum.
We have undertaken projects that were diverse,
challenging and thought provoking…And we’ve loved
every minute of it!
JCB invited us to produce a live experiential marketing show in France
and Germany to showcase the new additions to their range. Cue a
host of base jumpers, free runners, graffiti artists and street dancers to
complete their urban landscape.
At the other end of the spectrum, Yas WaterWorld, who The Business relocated to the UAE to work
with extensively for 6 months, commissioned a spectacular underwater show to compliment the
entertainment offerings and strategies we had already put in place for them; our office became a
mountain of lycra, chiffon and waterproof mascara for a few weeks! Back on British soil we have
continued to work closely with a number of airports to ensure that holiday feeling really does start
as soon as you leave home.
Birmingham Airport, in particular, now boasts a unique interactive
area ensured to keep the most jaded of travelers engaged and entertained!
And on top of all this, and due to the demand of many of our clients, we have now opened The
Business Booking Agency. We intend for our acts to be just as diverse and show stopping as our
other productions. We can’t wait to embrace 2014 and all the creativity that comes with it.
WOBURN SAFARI PARK – SAVE THE RHINO
We had some wonderful news from Save the Rhino International this week, having
raised over £8,000 this year at the park for this amazing charity we are the top
fundraiser for their ‘Operation Wild’ campaign.
This means we are giving the privilege and honour of naming a male Rhino calf in a Namibian nature
reserve. The calf is to be named starting with the letter A, as their tradition (similar to our naming
traditions at Woburn) is to name each calf with the same letter as the mother. His mother Alison
has been seen frequently and the keepers are putting on their thinking caps to come up with a
worthy name for the adorable young chap.
This charity is very dear to our hearts, as we are home to a
small herd of five Southern White Rhino at Woburn. This
species is now listed as ‘Near Threatened’ due to the hard work
of conservationists to protect this vulnerable species. At risk
from poachers throughout Africa, rhinos are killed for their
horn, due to the mistaken belief that it cures a number of
ailments. Have a look at their website to see the incredible
work they do – www.savetherhinointernational.org
SEGA AMUSEMENTS IS LOOKING FORWARD TO EAG
2014
EAG 2014 is fast approaching and taking up the largest stand, at
this year’s show will be Sega Amusements. On the Sega stand 360
from 21st to 23rd January 2014 visitors can expect to see an
impressive line-up of amusements and attraction games, licenced
and proprietary plush, consumer electronics for redemption
counters, parts and spares as well as their new Turn Key Division.
Making its European debut will be TRANSFORMERS Human Alliance, an action adventure game
which see’s players saving the world from the evil Decepticons! With its strong brand recognition
and appeal to a global audience, TRANSFORMERS is set to be one of the biggest launches in video
amusement games for a long time available in 55” theatre and 42” deluxe cabinets.
If that wasn’t enough visitors to Sega’s booth will get to play Plants
vs. Zombies™ The Last Stand, a video redemption game based on
the highly acclaimed, award-winning video game Plants vs.
Zombies™. The game puts the player at the control of a cabinetmounted Peashooter that fires peas –– yes, peas –– to stop
advancing waves of zombies. If any zombie crosses the players “last
line of defense,” the game is over. As zombies are destroyed, tickets
are paid out. If all zombie waves are destroyed, the player wins the
jackpot!
Whilst video games and attractions are the cornerstone of Sega’s reputation their product portfolio
now encompasses redemption, novelty, pushers, cranes, sports games, vending, shooting galleries,
kiddie rides and 6D motion theatres - this makes the Sega booth a destination for any operator.
Sega’s continued commitment in bringing the biggest names and best games to the marketplace
allows operators to buy with confidence when they buy from Sega.
PAULTONS PARK PREPARES FOR 2014
Paultons is busy making preparations for the 2014 season with the
installation of its new Double Decker Bertazzon Carousel nearing completion.
Landscaping around the ride will continue over the coming months to create
a magical Victorian garden to compliment the new ride, called The Victorian
Carousel, which is scheduled to open mid March 2014.
Meanwhile work continues on Paultons’ impressive new multimillion pound
gateway building that is being constructed at the Park entrance. The new
building will be home to a giant new themed Toy Shop, contemporary
themed Restaurant and new turnstiles to provide a world class welcome
experience to visitors to the Park from Easter 2014.
Paultons are also working on an exciting new product for Education visitors
to the Park, details of which are due to be revealed in the New Year!
MAGENTA STAR CHOSEN FOR BBC CHRISTMAS
STORY
The work of photographic event company and
Christmas grotto specialist Magenta Star is
being featured by BBC News Online as this
year’s ‘behind the scenes’ festive story.
The three minute film focusses on the Elf & Safety Training session run by Elf Hunter Kelly Hurst with
the latest recruits of elves and Santas who will be working in grottos serviced by Magenta Star
around the country. Captured on film by video journalists Claudia Redmond and Dan Curtis at the
intu shopping centre in Bromley, The Elf& Safety Training is usually top secret but the Magenta Star
team were happy to give the BBC exclusive access.
Alison Berneye, Managing Director,
Magenta Star explained: “It was a great
opportunity for our company to be selected
by Claudia Redmond for this year's
Christmas story for BBC News On Demand.
The actual filming took several hours but
Claudia and her cameraman Dan put
everyone at ease and we are delighted with
the results. The film shows how it's the
enthusiastic, sincere elves and Santas that
make our grottos so magical.”
The Christmas Elf and Safety Training for
Santa’s Little Helpers film can be seen at:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-24857193
WICKSTEED PARK LAUNCHES £2M LAKE RESTORATION PROJECT
A major £2million project to breathe new life into Wicksteed
Park’s historic lake and restore it to former glories has been
launched.
The Kettering park, one of East Midlands’ most popular attractions, has
been awarded just over £1million (£1,046,900) from the Heritage
Lottery Fund (HLF) to support the scheme as well as money from
Northamptonshire County Council and Kettering Borough Council.
Contractors will transform the 90,000sq metre lake and the surrounding
area in the run up to the park opening all its attractions for the 2014
season next spring.
Alasdair McNee (Managing Director)
and Oliver Wicksteed (Chairman of the
Wicksteed Charitable Trust) at the
project launch. .
The restoration will include draining, dredging and deepening the main lake to reduce algae and
blanket weed and new sluices will be installed. Reed beds will also be planted alongside areas of
grass wetland to improve biodiversity and wildlife habitats as well as a new beach area where
families can land a kayak and go off to explore other parts of the park and where people can paddle,
unsupervised, in the lake. The conservation of the currently redundant roundhouse, a 1924 lakeside
shelter, which will be repaired, bringing it back into use as a focus for lakeside activities. The creation
of a large amphitheatre, new pathways around the lake and arboretum, and the creation of water
play areas for children. A new Greenway route round the southern part of the lake will link up with
the existing footpath network and incorporating a pontoon walkway across part of the Lake.
The lake in the 1920s.
Wicksteed Park, near Kettering, was founded by Charles
Wicksteed, the inventor of modern day play equipment such as
the slide and the swing, so it has become known as the home of
children’s play. It is run by a charitable trust and combines the
tranquillity of an historic Grade II listed country park with 147
acres of parkland, a nature reserve run by the Wildlife Trust and
attractions such as rollercoasters and rides.
Managing Director Alasdair McNee said “These are exciting times for the park and I believe that
these improvements and additions would be just the sort of things Charles Wicksteed would have
carried out if he was still alive today. This project will go much further than just restoring former
glory and I am genuinely excited about all of the new activities and habitats that will be created
around the lake, ensuring that it can continue to be enjoyed by future generations.”
The lake was created between 1919-21, prior to the park being formally opened in 1921 and
was used for regattas, swimming, boating and water polo, with the park advertised as "The Gateway
to Health and Happiness".
HRH THE EARL OF WESSEX OPENS BRISTOL ZOO’S NEW GORILLA
HOUSE
Bristol Zoo's new, state-of-the art gorilla house has received the
Royal seal of approval after being officially opened by the Zoo’s
Royal Patron, His Royal Highness The Earl of Wessex.
The new £1 million exhibit is twice its original size and includes an impressive
atrium-style glass lobby offering unique viewing opportunities of the gorillas
overhead. The house, home to the Zoo's family of seven critically endangered
western lowland gorillas, includes climbing facilities, ropes and play equipment
and an indoor pool. There are also additional ‘dens’ for the gorillas and
weighing scales built into the floor. The first phase of the gorilla house is now
open, with the remaining phase due for completion by early 2014.
During his visit, His Royal Highness met Bristol Zoo staff and was introduced to
His Excellency the High Commissioner of Cameroon, Mr Nkwelle Ekaney, to find
out about Bristol Zoo's conservation and education work with primates in
Cameroon.
During the reception The Earl congratulated the Zoo on its
impressive new gorilla house and commended staff on their
work with gorillas and other primates, both in the zoo and in
the wild, as well as the work done to safeguard their habitats
around the world.
The Earl was given a brief tour of the Zoo, taking in the new
drill monkey house, the inhabitants of Monkey Jungle and the
primates at home on the Zoo's lake islands, before attending a
private reception with staff and invited guests.
JOIN THEO AND KERRY IN THE GRAND PIER SPORT RELIEF MILE
Long-time Dragons’ Den star Theo Paphitis and Grand Pier owner Kerry Michael are
the first two runners to sign up to the Grand Pier Sport Relief Mile 2014.
The event will take place on Sunday 23rd March 2014 and Runners can choose to run one, three or
six miles. All the money raised by the public is spent by Comic Relief to help transform the lives of
poor and vulnerable people, both at home and across the World’s poorest countries.
Theo Paphitis will start the run along with Kerry Michael. The route will take runners up and down
the Promenade to the Weston Arch and back and up and down the waist of the Grand Pier.
Kerry Michael said: “I am delighted Theo Paphitis has agreed to join us for the Grand Pier Sport
Relief Mile again. We have registered early and I hope we can top the 1,000 runners mark for 2014
and break our 2012 fundraising total of £15,000. It’s a great event. Everyone has a lot of fun while
doing something really worthwhile for a great cause”. To register to take part in the Grand Pier Sport
Relief Mile go to www.sportrelief.com and search for Weston-super-Mare.
2014 - OTHER DATES FOR YOUR DIARY!
We are currently preparing for another busy and exciting year at
BALPPA! Some of our confirmed events are listed below.
BALPPA Annual Dinner / AGM
The event will kick off the EAG Expo show for us. The
Annual Dinner will take place on Monday 20th January at
Oxo2 and the AGM will be held on Tuesday 21st January
at ExCeL, London
EAG Expo 2014
21st – 24th January 2014
Excel, London
www.eagexpo.com
BALPPA Parliamentary Event 2014
In response to Members’ feedback, the 2014 event will be held as a luncheon. The event will
take place ion Monday 10th March 2014 and will be held at the House of Commons. We
would like to thank Damian Collins, MP for supporting this for another year.
BALPPA Summer Conference 2014
Core programme – 24th-26th June
No one will want to miss this! We will be heading to
Barcelona, Spain. This event will include visits to some
of the region’s best known attractions
EUROPEAN ATTRACTIONS SHOW
23rd – 25th September, Amsterdam, Netherlands
LEISURE INDUSTRY WEEK
30th September – 2nd October, NEC Birmingham
More details on the above events along with our full programme of
shows, seminars and sub group meetings will follow in due course.