Behind the scenes at the Blackpool Pleasure Beach Resort
It may be closed down for the winter, but behind the gates of Blackpool's Pleasure Beach, there's a hive of activity.Pleasure Beach Resort, formerly known as Blackpool Pleasure Beach, opened to the public on 23 August 1923.Founded by A.W.G. Bean, and his partner John Outhwaite in 1896, the Lancashire attraction houses some of the oldest rides in the world.And workers today are still partaking in trades that existed all those years ago, paying homage to the heritage and historical craftmanship.
Pleasure Beach Resort is home to one of the oldest collections of wooden rollercoasters in the world - the Big Dipper, Blue Flyer, Grand National and Nickelodeon Streak.Its Big Dipper is the second oldest rollercoaster still in use in Great Britain.
For the fairground to keep its host of records alive, hundreds of staff repair, rebuild and refresh the rides each year, ensuring they are safe and still enjoyed for the new season ahead. Adam Slevin, director of creative design experience at Pleasure Beach Resort, said: "I don't think people know just how much work goes in to keeping the park running."The Big One really is a ride of legends and we have to give it a lot of 'TLC' so it's really lovely when we get the trains looking pristine, sharp and bright but we can't wait to get them back on the ride, and hear the rides going round again ready for our guests". When it opened in 1994, the Big One was the tallest and steepest roller coaster in the world. With a top speed of 74mph (119km), the ride holds the record as the second tallest roller coaster in the UK, standing at 213ft (65m).
As the resort prepares to open for its 129th season, staff are working hard to get the attraction ready, and some of the trades, like repairing fibreglass, tuning an organ and hand-painting signs, are standing the test of time. Andrew Milner, from St Annes, was an apprentice at Pleasure Beach in the 1970s and never left. He has worked at the resort for 23 years and most, if not all, of the colourful ride and attraction signs around the resort have been worked on by his own hand.He said: "I've done it all my life, it's all I've ever done."When you're doing stuff like this you just go into your own little space and you just shut down and concentrate on what you're doing."
From fibreglass remodelling, to repairing bolts or carefully restoring ride models, Robert Lowe has done it all in his 30 years at the theme park.Mr Lowe, an artist and model maker from Blackpool, said he enjoyed the "creative freedom" the job gave him."I enjoy the creative process of making things, using my imagination, learning new things," he added. "I'm still learning new skills because it is so diverse I could be doing anything. Every day is different."Despite working on the rides for three decades you will not catch him on any."I don't like rides, they scare me."
The resort is also welcoming a new generation into its mix. Laura Johnston is getting started in her role as a mechanical engineering apprentice.
She said: "I've always loved engineering as a kid and I love rollercoasters and I thought to combine the passion because why not?"When I first told my friends what I had planned to do they all just kind of looked at me like 'what are you doing with your life?' Now everyone looks at you like 'wow that is a very cool job'."
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