Latest news with #Oakwood
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
PREP BASEBALL: Oakwood falls short to Milford
MILFORD — The Oakwood baseball team were close to making things very interesting on Thursday. Down 10-0 in the third, the Comets fought back and had five runs in the seventh. But Oakwood could not get that tying or winning run in a close 11-10 loss to Milford. Advertisement Chase Harrison had a three-run home run and four RBIs for the Comets, while Xander Wilson had two hits and two RBIs, Jackson Dudley had two RBIs, Carsen Dudley had one RBI and Riglee Hart and Alex Wallace each added two hits. Caleb Clutteur had a grand slam for Milford and had 10 strikeouts on the mound, while Hixon Lafond had three hits and three RBIs and Aiden Frerichs had two hits and two RBIs. The Comets drop to 16-14 and will face Georgetown-Ridge Farm/Chrisman on Monday in an IHSA Class 2A regional.
Daily Mirror
21-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Mirror
Plans to reopen abandoned UK theme park after its closure
The resort first opened its gates 40 years ago and was considered a rite of passage for many Earlier this year, the news that Oakwood Theme Park, one of only two theme parks in Wales and the largest, was closing down left many heartbroken. The park, which has been a source of joy for families and children for 40 years, announced its immediate closure on March 4. The Spanish leisure company, Aspro Parks, owns Oakwood among its 68 other attractions across Europe. However, one determined Welsh local is keen to see it return. For him and many others who grew up in Wales, the theme park "was a rite of passage". The resident, who did not want to be named, has established an organisation named Richens Leisure Projects (RLP). They have proposed a plan to resurrect the beloved theme park, fuelled by their own cherished childhood memories of Oakwood. They said: "I grew up in west Wales. I remember every queue, every hill climb, every first drop. "Oakwood wasn't just a theme park - it was a rite of passage for kids in this country. You didn't just go there. You remembered it." The park's owners stated that shutting down was the only feasible solution after grappling with financial troubles and a declining visitor count over the years, reports Wales Online. RLP's new proposal aims to stimulate employment in the Pembrokeshire area, where the park has lost some of its iconic rides, with projections of creating over 100 seasonal job opportunities. RLP announced they've drawn up a phased capital reinvestment strategy aimed at reviving infrastructure at their site in order to 're-establish Oakwood as a national leisure destination'. Explaining their intentions, they said: "This isn't about nostalgia - it's about rebuilding pride. It's about giving today's kids the same memories we had, only with something stronger behind it: community ownership and a long-term plan." They also expressed a willingness to engage with the current owners, saying: "If the park's future is undecided, we'd welcome the chance to speak to the owners. We're not here to pressure - we're here to restore what still means something." They added: "This has been a quiet, locally driven effort to put a serious and respectful proposal forward for Oakwood. It's about long-term sustainability, community benefit, and giving a much-loved Welsh destination a proper future - not a rebrand or a quick flip." Commenting on the status of their offer, they added: "Right now, the proposal has been submitted to the current owners and remains open. We've tried to do things properly, without noise or pressure. But when something this significant sits dormant - and there's a credible route forward - it's natural that people start asking questions." While keeping details under wraps, the spokesperson assured: "I'm not in a position to disclose financials or backers while the ownership remains unresolved - but the figures are solid, the strategy is backed by real modelling, and the ambition matches the scale of what Oakwood could be. This isn't a concept. It's a prepared, actionable plan that can move the moment a conversation opens." RLP has reached out to the current owner of the park with its proposal, but a formal response is yet to be received. Aspro Parks, the current owners, have also been contacted by WalesOnline for comment but have not responded. The announcement of Oakwood's closure sparked mixed reactions, with some arguing it should have shut down years ago, while others mourned the loss of the once thriving attraction. Following the news of the closure, a petition was launched in a bid to save the theme park.
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- Yahoo
Oakwood man arrested for attempted armed robbery at Gainesville Texaco
The Brief Douglas Arnell Ward Jr. was arrested for an attempted armed robbery at a Texaco gas station in Gainesville. Surveillance footage helped police identify Ward, who fled the scene but was later found and arrested on Industrial Boulevard. Ward faces several charges, including armed robbery, aggravated assault, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. GAINESVILLE, Ga. - A 29-year-old Oakwood man has been arrested in connection with an attempted armed robbery at a Texaco gas station on Browns Bridge Road, according to Gainesville police. What we know Douglas Arnell Ward Jr. is accused of entering the store during the early morning hours of May 15, producing a handgun and demanding money from the clerk. The clerk, protected by bullet-resistant barriers, immediately contacted law enforcement. Ward fled the scene on foot before officers arrived, but investigators used surveillance footage to identify him. Officers later located Ward on Industrial Boulevard and took him into custody. What's next Ward faces multiple charges, including armed robbery, aggravated assault, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime, theft by receiving, and shoplifting. The Source The details and mug shot in this article come from the Gainesville Police Department.
The Sun
18-05-2025
- Business
- The Sun
I plan to re-open abandoned UK theme park & turn our town back into a ‘booming' tourist destination
AN ambitious resident has set out to re-open an abandoned UK theme park. The anonymous local plans to revive Oakwood theme park in west Wales. 5 5 5 Earlier this year, the park has announced its closure after 40 years as it had suffered financial losses. Despite the parent company Aspro Parks investing over £25million to rescue the site from shutting down since 2008, the number of visitors continued to decline. The statement read: "It is with much sadness that we have to announce the immediate closure of Oakwood Theme Park and confirm the park will not open for the 2025 season. "Following a strategic review of the business, Aspro Parks, owner and operator of Oakwood Theme Park have reached this difficult decision due to the challenges presented by the current business environment. "All possible avenues have been explored to avoid the closure, and we fully recognise the impact of the closure on the local community and the loss that will be felt as a result." But the local community isn't giving up on the theme park yet. One Welsh resident has set himself a challenging goal of bringing Oakwood back to life and created an organisation called Richens Leisure Projects (RLP) for the cause. They told Wales Online: "I grew up in west Wales. I remember every queue, every hill climb, every first drop. "Oakwood wasn't just a theme park — it was a rite of passage for kids in this country. You didn't just go there. You remembered it." The new initiative hopes to boost employment with an estimate of more than 100 seasonal job opportunities in the Pembrokeshire area, where the park has lost some of its well-known rides. Abandoned theme park left 'frozen in time' where stranded Orca whales and bottlenose dolphins have been left to rot RLP said it has developed a phased capital reinvestment strategy to "re-establish Oakwood as a national leisure destination". They continued: "This isn't about nostalgia — it's about rebuilding pride. It's about giving today's kids the same memories we had, only with something stronger behind it: community ownership and a long-term plan. "If the park's future is undecided, we'd welcome the chance to speak to the owners. We're not here to pressure — we're here to restore what still means something." The local effort to restore the park to its former glory has been met with enthusiasm as the project has found financial backers. According to RLP, they have prepared a planned, actionable strategy supported by sound numbers and real modelling. The proposal is still open after being presented to the existing owners. The Sun has also reached out to Aspro Parks for a comment. Inspired by the legend of King Arthur, the now decaying, desolate theme park opened in Chorley, Lancs, in 1983, closing its doors in 2012. The rotting site could now be replaced with a 350-home village under new proposals. 5 5
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."
