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Rockin’ Roller in action Bottons Pleasure Beach

Local news story date 28th June 2006

Back in May, Skegness News on Video captured on video the new ride being constructed (see below) by the Italian Group Fabbri, at Bottons Pleasure Beach.

The 33 feet high ride replaced ‘The Storm’. It is named the ‘Rockin Roller’ because the artwork on each of the gondola-style cars portrays idols of the rock ‘n’ roll era, Elvis, Marilyn Monroe, James Dean and Little Richard.
It is a ‘waltzer’ type ride. The gondolas actually spin while they are going up and down along the track.

We went back to the amusement park today to look at the Rockin Roller in action.

The cars start off by climbing the inclines to the top of the ride. Then they descend round the loops, spinning as they go.
One rider said “You feel like you’re going to come off as you spin round the loops”.

This is the worst part of the ride, where the gondolas spin round the loops.

Then a (thankful?) slow taxi back to terra-firma.

New ride for Skegness amusement park

news story date 23rd May 2006

Bottons Pleasure Beach are planning a new ride for its amusement park on the central foreshore in Skegness.
The new ride is called the Rockin Roller and it should be completed by the forthcoming Spring Bank Holiday. The Rockin Roller was designed by the Italian firm Fabbri Rides at a cost of £1,000,000.
Mr Botton, the owner of the amusement park said “It is a ‘waltzer’ type ride. You actually spin in the gondolas while you are going up and down.”
Workers from the park, together with two Italian engineers and an electrician, are now working from 8am until dark every day to try to get the ride operating for the weekend. [see pictures below]
Before it opens to the public it will undergo safety checks by independent engineers.
The new coaster will replace The Storm ride. ”
Mr Botton added that the 40m long coaster is called The Rockin’ Roller because the artwork on each of the gondola-style cars portrays idols of the rock ‘n’ roll era, such as Elvis, Marilyn Monroe, James Dean and Little Richard.

Skegness News on Video went to video the progress as the ride was being constructed.
below: pictures of the various stages of the workmen guiding the crane as it places the track in position.

RESIDENTS and businesses in the vicinity of the Parade Complex nightclubs on Grand Parade in the Skegness are being given 28 days to have their say on the Complex’s premises licence, following noise related complaints.

On August 15, 2007, East Lindsey District Council’s Licensing Committee will hear a request for the premises licence to be reviewed and consider whether the current conditions attached to the premises licence are sufficient. 

All views should be submitted to the District Council’s Licensing Team by July 26, 2007.
The Council’s Licensing Team Leader, Adrian Twiddy, explained that any interested party could apply for a review of a premises licence at any time.

For further information about this application for the licence to be reviewed, contact the Licensing Team on 08446 601111.

Source: Skegness Standard 26th May 1975

Historic Hotel a Listed Building

Hildred’s Hotel with a 100 yards frontage on High Street Skegness has been made a listed building by the Environmental Department.

It will be added to the statutary list of buildings which must be preserved because of special architectural or historical interest.

The licencees, Mr and Mrs Charles and Vera Hunt, have received notification that the list is about to be given legal effect, after which copies will be deposited with the local council. They are asked for the hotel’s history so that it can be permenantly recorded.

Hildred’s was built in the early part of the 19th century and known as the ‘New Hotel’. At that time the Vine was the only other hotel in Skegness, though there may have been a Ship Hotel near the site of the present one. [webmaster’s note - the Ship Hotel was then in the boundaries of Winthorpe]

Originally there was said to be ‘a most extensive sea view’ from the New Hotel which marked the most eastern point of the old fishing village’s main street.

[The New Hotel] was renamed by Mrs Sarah Hildred who carried it on after the death of her husband, Joseph, one of the landlords around the middle of the century. She named it after him as it was no longer ‘new’.

In 1874, as a result of the coming of the railway, the hotel was enlarged, apparerntly by a rear extention.

It was still only about half its present length and the ornate pink, cream and white brick and carved stone facade was added at a much later date. This may have been around the time when the Lawn Cinema was built next to it after the First World War.

In due course, the cinema was closed down and incorporated into the hotel with shops in the front. It is now an entertainments room.

end of transcript

The article goes on to describe more about the facitities of the hotel and its ‘present’ owners.

So, in 1975 Hildred’s Hotel was made a listed building of historical interest, then WHY was it pulled down just twelve years later in 1987 to make way for the Hildred’s Shopping Centre?

Moreover,the legal documents being lodged with the town council, WHY did the Council allow it to be demolished?

Still moreover, WHO made the first symbolic gesture of the hotel’s demolition?

- Skegness’ own Jolly Fisherman of course!

Skegness Standard photo caption - Two of Skegness’ most famous feature, but one won’t be here for much longer. For the Jolly Fisherman took the first symbolic blow on the High Street Hotel this week…

…but that’s another story to follow soon!

more about the Hildred family history and genealogy

The 1975 newspaper article about the Hildred’s Hotel tells us of another building which was listed of historic interest. This was The Sycamores, a house owned by the Salvation Army, next to the Citadel on High Street, Skegness. The Sycamores was well over 100 years old and also formed part of the old village of Skegness.

The Sycamores has also now been demolished.

Just exactly what is the point of protecting buildings of historical interest by ‘listing’ them.

The system obviously does not work!

Source: Skegness Standard 10th September 1975

Photos showing two parallel rows of giant sand pies stretching out to sea on Skegness Central Beach have arrived mysteriousy at the Standard office.

A nameplate calls it ‘A Road to See’ and on the back of each photo are the words ‘with compliments of A Road to See No 7R JDCAARDJR75′.

The sand pies, spaced at regular intervals were made with full size pails. Why and by whom? An explanation would be welcome.

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Can YOU solve the mystery of thirty two years ago?

Do YOU remember the mystery sand castles?

Source: Skegness Standard 20th September 1961

Snatching a quick kiss for our camera are Ian Beavis and Doreen Keogh, who play the engaged couple Harry Hewitt and Concepta Riley in the television serial, Coronation Street.

They presented prizes at the Skegness Derbyshire Miners Holiday Centre finals weekend.