16-02-2025
Flambards Theme Park to auction off its assets next month
The memories of Flambards Theme Park may be fading, but its legacy will be up for grabs next month as the park's assets go under the hammer.
Just four months after the popular Cornish theme park in Helston announced its closure due to "rising costs" and a "steady decline" in visitor numbers, its assets will now be sold under the hammer.
Lay's Auctioneers have used this image on its website, which suggests artefacts from the Victorian Village could be going under the hammer (Image: Lays Auctioneers) Lay's Auctioneers, based in Penzance, has announced the details for 'The Flambards Sale', which will take place at Lay's Penzance saleroom.
Although the information is limited at the moment, the photo on the Lay's Auctioneers website suggests that it will include many items from the Victorian Village.
The auction will span four days: March 25, 26, 27, and 28, beginning at 10am each day. The lot breakdown is as follows:
Day one (March 25): lots 1-500
Day two (March 26): lots 501-1000
Day three (March 27): lots 1001-1500
Day four (March 28): lots 1501-2000
Viewing dates are scheduled prior to the auction at Flambards. These are as follows:
Saturday, March 22: 10am-4pm
Sunday, March 23: 10am-4pm
Monday, March 24: 10am-4pm
There will be a £10 entrance fee for viewing.
Hundreds of people across Cornwall and beyond shared their sadness following the announcement on November 4, 2024.
MP Andrew George described it as the "saddest day of the week," referencing Flambards' promotional slogan.
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Several fans of the attraction also shared their own special memories. One wrote: "End of an era, some great memories from working there during the summer months as a teenager, lots of laughs and good times."
People shared their memories and pictures after the closure (Image: Paula Bostock) Another commented, " It's the end of an era for most Helston folk who used to spend their summers there, like me. I went there from the age of six, and I'm now 34. I even watched the 1999 solar eclipse there when I was nine. It might sound silly, but the news of its closure has made me all emotional."
Concerns were also raised for the staff who lost their jobs, particularly since the closure occurred before Christmas. One resident said, "Thoughts are with the staff and their families. Many office staff who are all year-round employees are now made redundant."
In the wake of the closure, Helston Town Council responded to a public petition and announced it was taking "proactive steps" to preserve the park's Victorian Village and Britain in the Blitz exhibitions.
At the time, the Project Officer for the council, Richard James, contacted Flambards' owners to explore options for keeping the exhibitions in the town.
Helston Town Council wanted to preserve the exhibition in the town (Image: File) "After discussing it with the Town Clerk, I reached out to the owners of Flambards to enquire what the future of the Victorian Village and Britain in the Blitz exhibition might be," Richard said in his November report.
"There has been a lot of support from the local community about this particular element of the attraction, and I believe there is an opportunity for Helston Town Council to work with Livingstone Leisure and local organisations to save this important part of the town's heritage.
"I am seeking approval to continue with this and gain an indication from members of how much Helston Town Council is willing to be involved in this exciting project.'
The Packet will bring more information when it becomes available.
