Latest news with #Drenched
South Wales Argus
24-04-2025
- South Wales Argus
Call for Oakwood Theme Park sale in bid to stop trespassers
Despite warnings to keep away from the site near Canaston Bridge, urban explorers, content creators and the frankly curious have been finding a way onto to the land. Their films and photos have shown a desolate scene, with the some rides – such as Drenched and Bounce – demolished and others in a neglected condition. The park announced its closure in March, and now Now Senedd member Sam Kurtz is calling for its early sale for not only for the benefit of Pembrokeshire, but to stop people putting themselves in danger. The Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire member would like to see the site back open with a tourism or hospitality offer that locals and visitors can both enjoy. The Pirate Ship ride is all washed up. (Image: Hidden Pembrokeshire - Gareth Davies Photography) The park had been in operation for approaching 40 years and in its heyday was the top tourist attraction in Wales. Mr Kurtz said:"Since Oakwood closed, several individuals have trespassed on the site to film and share content on social media, putting themselves and others in danger. "The most effective way to prevent this is to secure a new buyer for the site. I would be delighted to see it brought back into use as a tourism and hospitality attraction that can be enjoyed by both local residents and visitors. "Although a number of businesses have expressed interest in the site, responsibility lies with Aspro, the parent company, to sell if they have no intention of bringing it back into use. 'This is not a party political matter, which is why I am working with the Welsh Government to help secure a positive future for the site, making sure it is used to benefit Pembrokeshire." There are eerie scenes in the abandoned Brer Rabbit's Burrow. (Image: Hidden Pembrokeshire - Gareth Davies Photography) Dyfed-Powys Police said it was "aware of reports of persons gaining entry to Oakwood" and had received a number of calls "indicating trespassing and potential crimes". Oakwood's owners, the Spanish leisure company Aspro, have not replied to Mr Kurtz's statement. The company has previously warned that 24-hour security is in place on the site and that "anyone found trespassing will be reported to the authorities."
Western Telegraph
24-04-2025
- Western Telegraph
Call for Oakwood Theme Park sale in bid to stop trespassers
Despite warnings to keep away from the site near Canaston Bridge, urban explorers, content creators and the frankly curious have been finding a way onto to the land. Their films and photos have shown a desolate scene, with the some rides – such as Drenched and Bounce – demolished and others in a neglected condition. The park announced its closure in March, and now Now Senedd member Sam Kurtz is calling for its early sale for not only for the benefit of Pembrokeshire, but to stop people putting themselves in danger. The Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire member would like to see the site back open with a tourism or hospitality offer that locals and visitors can both enjoy. The Pirate Ship ride is all washed up. (Image: Hidden Pembrokeshire - Gareth Davies Photography) The park had been in operation for approaching 40 years and in its heyday was the top tourist attraction in Wales. Mr Kurtz said:"Since Oakwood closed, several individuals have trespassed on the site to film and share content on social media, putting themselves and others in danger. "The most effective way to prevent this is to secure a new buyer for the site. I would be delighted to see it brought back into use as a tourism and hospitality attraction that can be enjoyed by both local residents and visitors. "Although a number of businesses have expressed interest in the site, responsibility lies with Aspro, the parent company, to sell if they have no intention of bringing it back into use. 'This is not a party political matter, which is why I am working with the Welsh Government to help secure a positive future for the site, making sure it is used to benefit Pembrokeshire." There are eerie scenes in the abandoned Brer Rabbit's Burrow. (Image: Hidden Pembrokeshire - Gareth Davies Photography) Dyfed-Powys Police said it was "aware of reports of persons gaining entry to Oakwood" and had received a number of calls "indicating trespassing and potential crimes". Oakwood's owners, the Spanish leisure company Aspro, have not replied to Mr Kurtz's statement. The company has previously warned that 24-hour security is in place on the site and that "anyone found trespassing will be reported to the authorities."
Yahoo
07-02-2025
- Yahoo
Pembrokeshire theme park demolishes ride at centre of tragedy
One of the main rides at Pembrokeshire's Oakwood Theme Park – where a girl was killed over 20 years ago – is leaving the attraction for good. The high-speed water ride Drenched, formerly known as Hydro, has been at the centre of activity this week. A photo online showed the ride surrounded by three large cranes and sections of it missing, including its 85 degree drop, giving rise to speculation that it is being dismantled. The cranes in place alongside Drenched this week. (Image: TowersTimes) This has been verified by Oakwood Theme Park. A spokeperson for the park told the Western Telegraph: 'We can confirm that after 20 plus years of operation, Drenched has been retired from the Oakwood Theme Park offering, and is being dismantled." "We look forward to sharing other park updates when we commence the build up to the 2025 season'. Hydro first opened at the park, near Canaston Bridge, in 2002. Two years late, it was at the centre of tragedy when 16-year-old Hayley Williams from Pontypool fell 120 feet from the top of the ride . The inquest into her death heard that a safety bar designed to restrain passengers on the 50mph ride had not been lowered before it started. The ride was closed for a year, re-opening with over-the-shoulder restraints on its 24-seater car. In 2008, its then owners, Oakwood Leisure, were fined £250,000 after admitting that staff had failed to ensure passengers were safely restrained. The park had been bought by the Spanish international leisure park company Aspro, earlier that year. The ride was re-branded as Drenched in 2011. Drenched's riders speed down a near-vertical drop at a speed of around 50mph. (Image: CoasterForce) The speculation over the future of Drenched began this week when the photo of the ride surrounded by cranes was posted on theme park forum A post on the CoasterForce Facebook group posed the question: 'Is Drenched leaving Oakwood Theme Park in South Wales? "The park's Intamin Mega Splash water ride, which first opened at the park back in 2002, looks as though it could be about to leave the park for good. "News of the record breaking water ride's rumoured departure from the park broke online this evening (Weds 05th Feb 2025) when an image showing the ride currently being dismantled surfaced on popular theme park enthusiast forum "The photo shared by forum user LPW appears to show Drenched surrounded by 3 large cranes and sections of the ride missing including the iconic 85 degree drop and turn around section at the top of the lift. "Drenched has been SBNO (standing but not operating) for at least the past two years, with no news as to what the future may hold for the ride being shared by the park themselves officially at any point." The ride hasn't run for over two years. (Image: The Park Insanity) One user posted: "Really sad to see, but not overly surprising. They continued: "As someone who really loves the park and has such nostalgia for it, it's so painful to see the lack of any investment from the parent company."
