More about the park:

Please allow time for photo's to load). On July 4th; which is American Independance Day, visitors would come from several of the American Air Bases throughout Britain. The day usually started off with the raising of 'The Stars and Stripes', while a bugular sounded in the background. The photograph shows this about to happen.

A Surprise :

In 1993 a surprise was planned,when two people at the Park, namely 'Sheriff Matt Black' and 'Truckerman Brown' were each presented with an award. Here are the presenters, who you will probably recognise as Simon Gregson (Steve MacDonald), and Chloe Newsom (Vicky). They were at the time sharing a romance in 'Coronation Street'; but here they had just been on 'Nightmare Niagra' - The Log Flume.

A Big Drop:

'Nightmare Niagra' was one of the most popular rides in the Park. Here's three dare-devil riders.

Enjoying the Fun:

Here's television presenter Ellie Lane, taking part in a shoot out at 'Silver City',and generally enjoying herself.

Dud Money:

At one time the Park had it's own money, just for the kid's. Here's a sample!

Cop 'n' Singer:

These two guys stopped to pose for this photograph. On the left is entertainer Bill Anthony, and on the right, Park Security Officer Phil Molyneaux, who along with his family, was a favourite at the site.

It's a Gift:

If you get yourself injured or burnt, and have to go to 'Doc Holliday's First Aid Post', then you will be given a badge like this!

New Paint Job:

During Winter months when the Park is closed, the painters get to work. Here's Jim Rice and a buddy, painting the Stagecoach, in a new livery.

Tall Stories:

This is Stuntman Roger Moore again, in the 'Uncle Sam' costume; get those shoes, better than Elton John's! Roger has been in several modern films, and it all started for him at the 'AA'.

Another Surprise:

We got another surprise on 'Truckerman Browns' 75th Birthday, when they presented him with a cake; here I'm supervising!

Country Meets Country Boy:

Breaking into showbusiness is never easy, but Shaun Byrne from Chesterfield, in North Derbyshire, chose Granada's 'American Adventure' to do his photo - shoot for his album cover.

The Music Man

Chris Andrew is the man behind the music shows at the park. For several years he arranged and made up the music for these, and other special events. He is a musician in his own right, appearing at local club venues.

A New Face:

There were two new faces in the shoot - out on this afternoon. The fellow in the light blue jeans was IAN KELSEY, who started a successful career at the park. He later went on to do 'Casualty', a stage production of 'Grease', and was Dave Glover, who was Kim Tate's lover in 'Emmerdale'. He still goes on doing popular television.

Also you might spot Ellie Lane, the popular television presenter of the time on a visit.

Another Fall Guy:

Taking a break is Steve Caswell. Comedian, stuntman, and entertainer, are some of his qualifications. Steve is in modern films.........

Safety First;

Well, you didn't really think they just hit the ground for real, did you? Joss Gower and Mark Cass tend to the special air-bag hidden below the ground, and covered with wood-chips!

Big Magic:

Pow - Wow theatre was for magic shows. Magician Cliff Carlton has youngsters mystified on how it's done...

Baby Face:

Face painting is always popular, and everyone has to start somewhere.

Stuntman;

Many of these amateurs gained their training, and went into films doing serious parts - of course it wasn't really serious at the 'AA', just fun! This is Joss, you can learn about him in 'Star File No.4'

Talk to me....please!

We just knew him as Jason, he was on publicity and marketing and spent his days asking people what they liked about the park, and where did they come from.

You were a real nice guy Jason, if you read this please get in touch!

'Hold It!:

Another shot of Bernie, in his role as Sheriff Matt Black, (also available in silk and sheen!), at this time he collected guns and had ten matched pairs....

'Fast Draw'

Sheriff Rex Roper threatens Johnny Ringo.

and then shows him just what he can do!

Meanwhile:

Miss Shelley rides into town with Marshall Bill Thompson.

AAAAAAAAA - thud!

Then falls for him in a big way......

But the show must go on, and on the showboat Bernie serenades his audience.

'There's Even More Magic':

One of the most likeable Magician's working at the park was Cliff Carlton. He also had walk - on parts in several TV series, tthe one I remember was Central 's Production of 'Boon' with Michael Elphick.

Meet Miss Mandy:

Meet Miss Mandy, she was one of the dancers in the saloon, and she's wearing her Country and Western dress.

Catering for the crowds:

The Catering Staff at the park was headed by the lovely Dawn Hardwick, seen here with 'Truckerman Brown'. Dawn later married Park Manager Peter Annable, and today lives a few miles from 'The American Adventure'. During this period of the park, there were three Managers, John Holmes, Peter Annable, and finally Phil Sowter, before the site was sold to it's present owners.

The Music Goes Round and Round...

Here's the magnificent set of Gallopers at the park, which were made in the USA. There's hope that we might find out more about them from the Internet in the future. They were most unusual, because they turned Anti - clockwise !!

The smaller Gallopers:

Near 'Pioneer Playland', a smaller, more modern set of gallopers can be seen:

Made in Italy, here's their story:

Photograph shows detail of the ride:

It all began in the mid-1800’s when Giovanni Zamperla and his son Giuseppe started an equestrian circus to entertain at local celebrations. It wasn’t long before Giovanni became so captivated with these touring shows that he closed his pastry shop to pursue a career in show business.

At the turn of the century, moving pictures were creating quite a stir among the curious public. Giovanni saw an opportunity to expand his business by purchasing one of the first movie projectors. The shaky images showing glimpses of life in northern Italy drew customers to the Zamperla Movie Theatre. Soon, the Movie Theater, with its multicolored wooden hut equipped and steam engine generator to provide power, had joined the traveling circus.

The arrival of "talkies" increased the interest in the movies and permanent movie theaters became popular. But Guiseppe and his son Antonio still wanted to be touring entertainers, so they focused their efforts on the carnival aspect of their business.
"I was only sixteen when my father and I built our first amusement ride: a series of small cars that traveled on a track affixed to a platform with three hills." recalls Antonio, founder of A. Zamperla S.p.A. Today, Alberto, Antonio’ s son, represents the third generation of amusement industry innovators as he leads Zamperla into the new millennium.

Ralph, the ride operator:

Below:

A few more memories of GRANADA's

'The American Adventure'

1.

Photo: Bernie, Cliff Carlton (magician) and Harold

2.

Photo: 'The Cactus Kid' (Tony Armitage) and Bernie, in 'Pow - Wow Theatre'

Photograph on the right:

Postcard sent to me by a visitor to the park, who remembered that I said I would love to visit Elvis Presley's former home 'Gracelands'.

I'm still hopeful that one day I might there ! !

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