Bernie's Wild Wild West
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News of today’s ‘American Adventure’:
 | This page is about the ‘American Adventure’, and how it still survives in the competitive world of theme parks.
Venture World – ‘ American Adventure’ In February 1997, Granada Group sold its ‘The American Adventure’ theme park in Ilkeston, Derbyshire to Venture World for £3.5m. Venture World is owned by a consortium whose members include Trevor Hemming.(From the Internet)
Elsewhere on the Internet is the story of it’s beginnings; and of one man’s dream to develop it into Britain’s premier amusement attraction, which ended in disaster. There’s also the story of it’s ownership under a major company, which this web site has logged; and it has now reached the point where it’s future is uncertain.
Whatever the future may bring, there is no intention to criticise, condemn, or otherwise comment, on any point of it’s history or future; the point of this web site is purely to leave a lasting record of ‘The American Adventure’, with a view of presenting it’s purpose, that of giving pleasure to whoever might visit.
There now follows information of the parks current activities; the views expressed are not necessarily the views of the author of this website.
‘Camelot’ ‘Camelot’ is a theme park near Chorley, Lancashire, which is based on the legend of King Arthur, and was the sister park to 'The American Adventure'. In June 1998 Granada Entertainment, a subsidiary of Granada Group, sold 'Camelot' to Prime Resorts, for £16m. (From the Internet). |
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1: Proposed Development:
 A Group objecting to developments at the American Adventure is holding a protest walk.
Plans have been lodged with Amber Valley Borough Council to build a caravan site, equestrian centre, golf course, holiday lodges and an entertainment site at the Shipley theme park.
The Stop the American Adventure Group was formed to object to the plan. It is made up of 12 people from the Shipley View and Shipley Area residents associations.
The group is inviting people to join in a walk, which will cover areas the development would affect.
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 | A BRAND new website has been set up by protesters against American Adventure plans to extend the theme park.
The new website is called American-misadventure.co.uk, and aims to inform web-surfers about the controversial plans. There are opportunities to vote against the proposals, to make comment, find out more and to put forward questions. A mystery resident, who does not want to be named, set up the site because he didn't want to see any more development in the park, and thought other people felt the same. He said: "If the American Adventure is already loosing money I don't see how a 'holiday village' can turn that around."
The website has attracted a lot of attention, but equally the new Residents Action Group, also concerned with opposing the proposed American Adventure expansion, is also rapidly gaining support. The group was formed in mid-February by residents dissatisfied with the results of a meeting held by American Adventure bosses, who failed to answer questions put forward by angry residents. The group is chaired by Shipley View resident Paul Keyworth who is now planning to hold a one-to-one meeting with the American Adventure in late March.
Already the group have had a huge response from a letter drop over the weekend of February 22/23rd, during which 500 addresses on the Shipley View Estate received letters of protest which they were then asked to sign and send off to the planning authority - Amber Valley Borough Council. More than100 people from the letter drop also attended the scheduled Residents Association meeting on February 26th to talk about the proposed plans.
Ron Sweetland, chairman of the Shipley View Residents Association said: "The meeting was certainly over crowded and unfortunately I had to go to the door and turn people away.
He added: "We are hoping to arrange another public meeting with the American Adventure in the next few weeks, but no date has been decided yet." Hundreds of people from Shipley View and surrounding areas have signed a petition in protest against the plans. Mr Sweetland said he hoped to present this to Amber Valley Borough Council.
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Rejection could close park - boss
AMERICAN Adventure boss Tony Sunley has warned that if Ilkeston's theme park does not get the £15 million proposed extension it could face closure.
AMERICAN Adventure boss Tony Sunley has warned that if Ilkeston's theme park does not get the £15 million proposed extension it could face closure. Over six years, visitor numbers have dropped by a third from over 600,000 to less than 400,000. Mr Sunley said: "If this decline continues the park would not be financially viable and closure would be likely. "Research has indicated that this development would be the most appropriate and viable solution to the long-term future of the park."
But many residents still disagree wholeheartedly with the proposals. Zena Evans, of Rayneham Road, Shipley View, said: "I am totally against everything in the proposal. It will effect more people than just those living on the estate because it would take away green belt land in the area." Another resident on Wakefield Croft, which overlooks part of the proposed development said his main concern was a rise in crime in the area if the extension was built. But Mr Sunley, who is managing director of park owners Ventureworld, is still trying to convince local residents that they will also benefit from the development, which he says will bring jobs and increased income to the area. He disputes that houses near the proposed development would fall in property value, stressing that only 28 hectares of the 98 hectares available would be used to park 800 static caravans.
He added: "A large buffer zone comprising trees, parkland and ponds will surround this area and minimise any potential visual and noise problems."
Mr Sunley was also keen to calm people's fears about the proposed building being on green belt land.
Mr Sunley said: "The area of development, although in green belt, already has outline planning consent for camping, caravanning and golf. "Green belt development is always potentially controversial, however the site was only deemed green belt in 1983 at the same time as the outline planning consent was given and is thus assumed to be an appropriate development." But Ron Sweetland, chairman of the Shipley View Residents Association said: "This proposed development eats further and further into green belt land and residents are adamant that this should not be allowed. "This invasion of open pasture land would leave the remaining area of green belt less immune to even further development." The planning application has been handed to Amber Valley Borough Council. It could be some months before the application is processed.
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4:
 The ailing American Adventure theme park is hoping that a new bus service will help shore up visitor numbers, for the 2003 season. The attraction, in Shipley, is running at a loss and has seen attendance drop over the past seven years.
Now it is holding out hopes that the new thrice-daily X10 service from north Derbyshire to the park's main entrance will help boost numbers.
The X10, which is being paid for by Derbyshire County Council, will start running tomorrow and will stop in Clay Cross, Alfreton, Ripley and Codnor.
Councillor Walter Burrows, county council cabinet member for public protection and transport, said it was the authority's role to try to get more buses on the roads and promote greener travel.
He added: "Hopefully, as well, it could improve the attendance by people who didn't visit before. If people know there is a bus running, they might use it."
The bus would run on Saturdays, Sundays and Bank Holiday Mondays from May 3 to September 28, with daily services in the school holidays from May 24 to June 1, and from July 19 to September 1.
Return tickets cost £5 for a family (up to two adults and three children), £3.50 for adults (£3 from Codnor Market Place), and £1.75 for children and other concessions.
The American Adventure is also offering a reduced entry price to anyone who presents a discount admission coupon, which will be distributed with X10 promotional material, and their bus ticket at the gate.
Bus services will arrive at the theme park at 10.30am, 12.32pm and 5.40pm, and depart at 10.35am, 3.45pm and 5.45pm.
Park director Roger Lloyd said he expected the bus service to have a positive impact on visitor numbers.
He added: "We are delighted to have any support that Derbyshire County Council is able to give us. The provision of a bus service enables people without a car to get to the American Adventure over the summer."
A controversial scheme by the park's owners, Venture World, to create a 55-acre static caravan site, equestrian centre, nine-hole golf course, holiday lodges and an entertainment centre at the American Adventure is due to be discussed by Amber Valley Borough Council in the next few months. |
Watch this screen for further news.............
FLASH:
Published Date: 10 January 2007
THE AMERICAN ADVENTURE theme park has closed with the loss of 13 permanent staff jobs and over 200 seasonal workers.
Half of the park's 40 rides and attractions have already been sold and buyers are moving in to dismantle them this week.
Owners Ventureworld said the park was closing after "a period of difficult trading" and blamed falling attendance figures.
The leasehold on the property will revert to Derbyshire County Council in August.
In a statement the firm said: "American Adventure theme park states that it has invested considerably in trying to make the Park a commercial success but a fall in attendances which has been experienced across the UK theme park market has proved impossible to overcome."
Park director Roger Lloyd, who has worked at the park for nine years, said: "It is very sad news for the whole community because most of employees are local. "The remaining staff are assisting in the selling of the rides and will be maintaining the park until it reverts to the council in August."
Catering team leader Liam Milne, 21, of Shipley View has worked at the park since the age of 16. He became a full time member of staff last year and said:"I have made lots of friends here. The full time people were upset because generally they have been here a lot longer. "We thought we'd had quite a good year last year – but obviously head office wanted to change their plans."
The park has been dogged by rumours of closure for several years. There were 19 redundancies in October last year.
Alan Cox, leader of Amber Valley Borough Council, said: "There is going to be a significant loss of jobs and the lack of tourists coming into the area also impacts on the local economy. "It's going to cause a very bad effect. I think it is a lack ofinvestment. Alton Towers brings out a brand new ride every year. "People were saying it's the same old rides at the American Adventure year in and year out."
A spokesperson for rival theme park Alton Towers said: "We have experienced a one per cent increase in visitor numbers for 2006 based upon 2005 figures, a figure which we are delighted with given the tough trading conditions. "Since 2000, our numbers have stabilised at between 2.2 and 2.5 million guests per year." Local resident Graham Dean said: "I won't be in the bit least sad to see it close. I have been coming up here since the 1960s for exercise. "I only hope that whatever takes its place will be more in keeping with the concept of a country park."
Special e.mail recieved recently:
Howdy Bernie.
Its Melinda here(Mel 'Lazy Lil') 1988 till 1992 I think?
I have just came across your brilliant site.It makes me wish I could go back in time.My name is spelt wrong by the way, he! he!
I tried to write it in your guestbook, but could not.Dont know why.
I had such fun working there. After I left I did a season at Butlins singing in the band.I then went on holiday to Tenerife, and stayed for 8 years.I was singing there, and spent the latter part of that time in an Abba Tribute Show, it was fun. I met my husband Steve out there and we had a wee girl called Sara, (who was called after Sara the dancer).She now lives in France. We came back 7 years ago and lived in Scotland, were I was singing in a cabaret show for 3 years.
Now we live in Newcastle and have another daughter; but I'm not singing these days.
Jan told me about Harold,and I'm sorry to hear about him.
Its a shame about the park.
I am so glad I was working there when it was at its peak. I hope to be able to get to the reunion at the Mundy Arms on June 2nd. I have been in touch with Joss Gower and he is enjoying Australia, and sends his love to all. Are you going to reunion?
Do you know whos going? I think at first it was ment to be a retail department party. But im not sure.Hope to hear from you soon,
Love,
Mel xxxxx
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