Trip Report - Blackpool Bash 2011

Let's hear you all say Blackpooooooool!! It's the club's second trip of the year and the first coaster trip of the season. Members from all over the UK converged on the seaside town of Blackpool for the biggest event of our Calendar, The Blackpool Bash. Most members arrived on the Friday. After checking into our hotel we headed over to The South Pier, usually this is for a coaster fix, our first ride of the weekend but the coaster was taken down in 2009. Anyway we headed over to The Nodding Donkey for a leisurly pint where several members gathered and chatted. Unfortunately Carnesky's Ghost Train wasn't open so as 2 of our group wanted to do The Pasaje Del Terror we headed down to the Horror Bar where the exit of Pasaje Del Terror is located.

Every now and then there were screams and the public came rushing through the door. This happened a number of times before a group emerged, very loud and 2 of them fell over on the floor, you've guessed it, our 2 members were there and were the 2 who fell to the ground after being attacked by a chain saw (Disguised Hair Dryer!), and you've probably guessed who the members were? Dan Ould & Mark Biggins!. As time passed it was getting close to the Friday Night Fun and official start of the weekend's festivities. As usual Nev opened the evening and got Graham up for a stunt, this time he was going to cut him in half. Graham nervous as ever but he had nothing to worry about. Stunt done and it was time for the first act of the night, Comedian Mike McGuire came on and kept us all entertained. He got members Alan, Matt & Gareth up on stage but when talking to Gareth he got more than he bargained for. I thought Gareth was going to kiss him! Anyway the interval came where we could top up on drinks etc before the second act of the night, Cabaret act Leye D John's and boy were we in for a shock.

I got picked on right from the start, he even knew my name (Thanks Nev!). Into his act he got Ryan up (another set-up), who was extremely nervous as to what was going to happen next, and I knew how he felt, every time he came to the front of the stage I wondered what was next, all harmless fun. Ryan got asked to wear a I Love RCCGB T-Shirt, Leye D John's wore the same shirt, or that's what we thought until he turned around. His shirt said "I LOVE A GOOD RIDE" on the back with Ryan's saying "SO DO I" and when put together, well doesn't take much working out! Great entertainment and a great start to the weekend's events. It was off to our hotels for a late night beverage or two before turning in ready for Day 2, The main event.

Saturday started with an early breakfast at our hotel followed by a short walk to The Paradise Room which would be our base for the day. We were then issued with our wristbands and drinks voucher and I took the opportunity of getting photo's of members on their first club trip. Shortly afterwards it was time for the first ERS's so we headed over to the Big One for a combined ERS on The Big One and Steeplechase. A great start to the day. After this we all had some time to enjoy the park before before heading back over to the Paradise Room for lunch. There was also time to purchase some club merchandise. After lunch we heard from David Cam, the park's Director & Company Secretary who updated us with what's going on and the new nickelodeon LAND, the opening of which is running a little bit behind schedule due to the awful weather we all experienced at the start of the year. After lunch members who will be travelling to the USA stayed behind for a get together then it was back into the park for some more riding.

At 4PM we all gathered by The Classic Grand National WOODEN Coaster for an hour's ERS, the ride was closed to the public and was all ours. The park put on the extra trains to maximise riding during the ERS. This is one of the club's favourite rides. Following the ERS we had more time to enjoy the park before heading over to the Paradise Room for the legendary Coaster Crazy Show. This year's theme being Medical Mayhem and well, it's a good job we are in Blackpool as there were some members in strange attire walking down the promenade! The show started with an opening performance from Wendy, Alan & Gary followed by a welcome and some jokes from Andy. Kelly was next performing Rehab which led us into the first game of the night, Play Your Coasters Right. No one got them all right, surprise surprise. The game was followed by Ryan doing The Shake 'N' Vac and I Want To Break Free and this led us into game number 2, the popular kids gopher game for our younger members. Act 3 of the night was performed by Alan and Maz who performed Goodness Gracious Me which led us into the famous Gong Show. It was good to see a lot of new acts. First up was Charlotte, Izzy and Alicia who survived the gong, next was Daniella, dressed up as a nurse with hairy legs, his colleagues were giving a live waxing, it was disappointing to see him not suffering any pain so the gong sounded! The next act was followed by Ryan and then Little Charlie Turner who did very well with his Magic Act. Next was Emerald Evans and then finally Nemesis Nick, needless to say he got the gong! Gong Show over Wendy was up next with A spoonful of Sugar This was followed by the last game of the night, Coaster Car Racing. Libby Williams was up next performing Part of this World. Andy then said thankyou to everyone before introducing the last act, performing Dr Beat was Wendy and everyone from the show and this led into the club party / disco. After the party we all headed back to our hotels in readiness for the morning ERS's.

Sunday started with an early breakfast in our hotel We all had to vacate our rooms before heading back to the Pleasure Beach where again we went into the park via the side gate and were taken to the Big Dipper for a combined ERS on the Big Dipper and a surprise coaster, last year it was Roller Coaster now named Nickelodeon Streak but this wasn't running so the surprise coaster was In Fusion. After the combined ERS the club events finished. Those that purchased a Sunday Wristband enjoyed a further day in the park. Some of us had a walk round Blackpool. We had a great weekend as usual and even the weather was great for us. Our next trip is USA 2011 Shake Rattler and Roll and I can't wait to see all the Rattler Virgins take their first ride on this wooden coaster, made famous by all the forum posts by our very own Rough Rider, Ryan Hackett. Anyway, see you all in a theme park soon and check out our daily updates whilst in the states.

Below are the pictures from the trip.... Enjoy the memories.