RCCGB Blackpool Bash 2014 Midi Report

Date: Friday 25 April to Sunday 27 April 2014
Venue: Blackpool Pleasure Beach
Who Went: Me and a large number of other RCCGB members, including Andy, Christine and Charlotte Hine, Alan Chilvers, Barry Frost, Carl May, Chris Fletcher, Dan Ould, Dave Maryan, David and Kelsey Bebbington, Death, Doug, Charlie, Emily and Lizzie, Emerald Evans, Emma Erangey, Gareth Arkell, Happy Helen, Ianto Gulliver, Mary and Andy Knight, Norma Lynn, Paul Heaney, Paul, Sarah and Wynne Lewis, Phil and Jackie, Planenut, Ryan Hackett, Sophia Jones, Stuart Pope, The Sheppards.

DISCLAIMER: The above is NOT intended to be an exhaustive list of everyone who attended. It's a small sample of attendees; mainly those who performed billed or Gong Show acts Saturday night, and/or who I spoke to / rode with over the weekend. I sincerely apologise to anyone else who was there and I've not listed. Not all attendees (whether or not listed above) attended the event in its entirety.

Introduction

The Club's annual UK mega-trip to start the new coaster season. Once again the Blackpool Bash was a great success, with two professional entertainers plus Dave Maryan performing Friday night, a day of riding Saturday daytime (including the morning, late afternoon and unexpected early evening ERSs), a spooky themed fancy dress party with songs, games, the Gong Show and a disco Saturday evening, and another ERS Sunday morning. A great turnout too with around 400 members from all over the UK (my list above is just a handful of them). I was determined as ever to attend the Blackpool Bash, and to take part in the Gong Show Saturday evening.

To make the rest of this report easier to read, I've split it into sections. Click the applicable link below to jump to the section you want to read:

Thursday 24 April
Day One - Friday 25 April
Day Two - Saturday 26 April (daytime)
Day Two - Saturday 26 April (evening)
Day Three - Sunday 27 April
Outro

Enjoy my report at your leisure.

Thursday 24 April

Getting To Blackpool

I travelled to Blackpool by train Thursday 24 April, starting on the 11:08 train from Bath Spa to Bristol Temple Meads. Once there I went to The Galleries Shopping Centre to collect my "I'm Not An Adult I'm A Big Kid!" T-shirt from T-Shirt Print and have some lunch. Back at Bristol Temple Meads, my journey continued on the 13:21 train to Newport, followed by onward trains to Manchester Piccadilly and Blackpool North. Having reached Blackpool North at 19:08, I caught a bus from a nearby stop to Withnell Road, and checked into my hotel for three nights.

Thursday Evening

Around 20:00 I went to The Auctioneer (Wetherspoons) for dinner. On arrival I met Barry Frost and briefly spoke to him. I had a Curry Club meal: large Chicken Jalfrezi for main course, a pint of Tuborg to drink and British Bramley apple crumble with custard for dessert. Around 21:15 I returned to my hotel and relaxed in my room the rest of the evening.

More about Thursday available here

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Day One - Friday 25 April

Daytime

For me Friday began with a delicious breakfast: cereal, a full English breakfast and toast. I spent the day at Sandcastle Water Park, and was in the pool / slides area from approximately 10:45 until closing time of 17:00. A separate report about my day there is available here. After leaving Sandcastle Water Park I returned to my hotel to relax for an hour or so.

Early Evening

Around 18:40 I went to Pablo's Fish and Chips for a Pablo's Special, i.e. fish, chips, mushy peas, bread and butter, plus fizzy drink for main course, followed by a strawberry Sundae Special for dessert. I met Planenut there, so we sat together.

Friday Fun

The Blackpool Bash officially began when the Paradise Room doors opened. I entered around 19:40, bought myself half a Kingstone Press Cider and sat at a table opposite the front of the stage. The fun really began when Andy Hine appeared around 20:15 and said his annual catchphrase. "Everybody say Blackpool".

The first official act was Mark James with his comedy and conjuring. He told jokes and performed magic tricks, including salt falling from his hand and pulling toilet roll from his mouth. Next former Gong Show winner Dave Maryan sang a series of songs including "Mack The Knife" and "My Way". I thought his act was the best of the night.

After a 15 minute interval (during which I met Happy Helen and Sophia Jones, and bought myself half a Fosters) Johnny Casson amused everyone with his jokes. Friday Fun officially ended when he finished around 22:20. Afterwards there was still time to finish our drinks, but we had to be out by 23:00. I spoke to, and had my picture taken with a few other members before heading back to my hotel for the night.

Altogether a good evening of entertainment, in my opinion, Dave Maryan's selection of songs was the best act of the night. It was also great speaking to other Club members at various times of the evening. Many members liked my self-designed "I'm Not An Adult I'm A Big Kid!" T-shirt; which I wore for the first time Friday.

More about Friday available here

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Day Two - Saturday 26 April (daytime)

First Thing

I awoke at 7:00, put on my RCCGB 25th anniversary T-shirt and had early breakfast at 8:15 so that I could be at the Paradise Room at 9:00 or soon after. I chose beans on toast as a lighter alternative to a full English (which I felt would be too risky before riding Big One, Steeplechase and the rest).

Initial Meet-Up

Members were asked to meet in the Paradise Room at 8:45, however it was nearer to 9:00 when I entered. Once there I met and spoke to Doug, Charlie, Emily and Lizzie for a few minutes. Eventually I queued to be issued with my ride wristband and Park Pass.

Morning ERS

When told, members entered the Pleasure Beach and headed to the far end for the morning ERS on Big One, Steeplechase and Blue Flyer. Three coasters, beat that for one ERS. I began the day with one go on the Big One. Next I enjoyed three goes on Steeplechase (one on the red track followed by two on the green track). My horse lost the first two goes, but won the third go. After my third go I was hoping to ride the yellow track, but annoyingly Steeplechase was suddenly out of action. So was Big One. I headed to Nickelodeon Land, whereupon I had time for one go on the little wooden coaster Blue Flyer before the ERS ended. This was my first go of the day on a wooden coaster; Doug was in the row in front of me.

Morning Free Time

After the morning ERS ended, members dispersed around the Pleasure Beach and took over the rides. The rest of the morning I enjoyed one more go on Blue Flyer, two goes on Nickelodeon Streak, one go on Big Dipper, two goes on Infusion and one go on River Caves. Whilst passing the fountains after leaving River Caves a professional photographer took two pictures of me in the fountains, but as much as I liked them I didn't buy either of them. Without further ado I headed to the Paradise Room for lunch.

Lunch At Paradise Room

Once inside I headed straight for the bar and used my drink voucher to get a glass of Pepsi Cola. The food queue was quite long, but I joined it anyway; I happened to be behind Happy Helen and Sophia Jones and spoke to them whilst queuing. When I reached the serving table I had chicken, fries, bread roll and butter. During lunch there were speeches from Andy Hine and David Cam. Club merchandise was available, but I didn't buy anything. I spoke to Coleen for a few minutes, and Michael Edwards performed a card trick before my eyes.

Afternoon Free Time

Around 14:00 I returned to the Pleasure Beach. My first ride after lunch was one go on Valhalla with Emerald Evans; I donned my all-in-one splashsuit to prevent me getting wet on Valhalla. Next Emerald and I enjoyed one go on Flying Machines together, followed by one go on Wallace & Gromit Thrill-O-Matic together. After that, I rode Dora's World Voyage, SpongeBob's Splash Bash and Avalanche once each alone.

Grand National ERS

It was now time for our ERS on the classic twin track Möbius racing wooden coaster Grand National. During the ERS I had time for three goes. On my first go my train went up the left lift hill, but my train lost. During my second go, my train ascended the right lift hill, and won. On my third go my train climbed the left lift hill and lost. Altogether another fun ERS. Although the opposing train beat my train on two of my goes, I'm glad my train won on one of my three goes.

Early Evening Free Time

After the ERS ended at 17:00, members returned to their hotels to relax and prepare for the evening, or rode until closing time of 18:00. During that one remaining hour that the rides were open to the public I had a few more rides, starting with one go on Wild Mouse. Thus I had now ridden all five wooden coasters at least once each on Saturday. Afterwards I had time to ride Grand Prix, Revolution and Steeplechase (green track) once each before the rides closed.

Bonus Big One ERS

Due to the problems with Big One during the morning ERS, a bonus evening ERS on Big One was arranged to run from 18:00 to 19:00. During this unplanned bonus ERS, I enjoyed five goes. Altogether another amazing unexpected ERS, it was great to begin and end the day on the Big One.

Cumulative Summary of My Rides (ERSs and Free Time Combined)

Ride	Total
Avalanche	1
Big Dipper	1
Big One	6
Blue Flyer	2
Dora's World Voyage	1
Flying Machines	1
Grand National	3
Grand Prix	1
Infusion	2
Nickelodeon Streak	2
Revolution	1
River Caves	1
SpongeBob's Splash Bash	1
Steeplechase	4
Valhalla	1
Wallace & Gromit Thrill-O-Matic	1
Wild Mouse	1
TOTAL	30

Altogether a great day's riding, once again I managed to ride all five wooden coasters in one day. It's a pity I only had one go on Big One in the morning ERS, but thankfully made up for that with five goes in the unexpected evening Big One ERS. Also it's a pity ride Ice Blast yet again. That left me determined to ride it Sunday.

More about Saturday daytime available here

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Day Two - Saturday 26 April (evening)

Coaster Crazy Show

After the bonus ERS ended, I finally left the Pleasure Beach at 19:15 and went straight to the Paradise Room to set up my camcorder, choose my seat and put on my evening outfit. I also bought myself a drink and something to eat. There was no time for me to have a rehearsal, but I felt I didn't need one. Around 19:45 the doors opened to members not taking part. This year's theme was Spooky, and many dressed in something spooky or horror themed. I wore a navy T-shirt with "Kapow!" on it, a pair of black sports shorts and a black Halloween cape. Also I still had the red stained white gloves and red mask from the Lordi act last year.

The First Half

At 20:20 the show began with "Music of the Night" followed by a bit of Monster Mash. Finally Alan Chilvers, Paul Heaney, Emma Erangey and several others danced to Thriller. Following Nev's opening speech The Sheppards sang "Grim grinning ghosts come out to socialize" whilst perched above columns. Afterwards Nev called Ryan Hackett on stage to hypnotise him. The Coaster Kids were next with their own rewritten version of "Ghostbusters"; their version was called "Coaster Busters". Next, eleven children entered the Kids' Gopher game. When called, they ran into the audience to fetch an item specified by Nev, e.g. watch, hotel key, camera, only to find one less chair on their return, thereby forcing the child unable to find a seat out. Afterwards CJ (Ella & Molly), who were one of two winning acts in last year's Gong Show, were back this year to dance to "Jai Ho" as a billed act.

The Gong Show

The Gong Show featured eight acts, starting with Dan Ould juggling balls, but the horn soon went. Stuart Pope, dressed as a milkman, sang for some time, but the horn eventually went. Ryan Hackett was next, singing a parodied "Don't Worry Be Happy". He too faced the horn after a while. Two children Alice & Harry danced to "My Heart Skips A Beat" (Ollly Murs) and reached the end of their act without the horn going. At the other extreme, Death faced the horn before he even had the chance to start! Barry Frost gave a spoken monologue. Having quickly attracted booing the horn soon went. Ellis Williams stood on the spot rotating left and right, and moving his arms. Whether or not that's dancing is up to you to decide, but anyway after initial cheers he was eventually booed and the horn went. The final act was my sequence of circuit training exercises, including star jumps, wood chopper, press ups, and tuck jumps. Appropriately dressed in my Bath Half Family Fun Run 2014 T-shirt and black sports shorts, I reached end of the routine without the horn going.

Top two: Alice & Harry, Nemesis Nick; outright winner: Nemesis Nick
Bottom two: Death, Nemesis Nick; Ultimate worst: Nemesis Nick

After this freak result, Nev announced "Nick, you have the strange accolade of being the best, and worst act of the night". After the Gong Show I put my "Kapow!" T-shirt and Halloween cape back on.

Rest of Coaster Crazy Show

Back to the billed acts. Libby Williams, dressed as a witch, sang the spooky song "Put A Spell On You". The second game of the night "Bang!" was next. Three adult couples: Jan and Shaun, Taylor and Jean, Sarah and Paul. The goal was to find the couple who burst the most balloons in one minute. The winning couple, Dan and Shaun went on to try and win a prize. They won a weekend for two at the Big Blue Hotel. Afterwards the other Gong Show 2013 winner, Carl May sang "Fire" as a billed act. Finally all the performers reappeared on stage during Nev's closing speech. Afterwards the stage went down for the grand finale "Time Warp". Those who performed billed or Gong Show acts were asked to bring members of the audience of the dance floor to dance "Time Warp" together.

After Show Party

There was a seamless transition from "Time Warp" into the after-show disco. One hour of non-stop hits, starting with "Get The Party Started", followed by the spooky songs "Ghostbusters" and "Thriller". The usual songs "YMCA" (Village People), "Glad All Over", Can-Can, "The Locomotion" etc. were also included. Many including me danced along. Towards the end the following five songs were played in full:

Gangnam Style
Dancing Lasha Tumbai (Ryan and co appeared on stage just in front of the curtains doing the actions)
Amarillo
Always Look On The Bright Side of Life
New York

The Warner Brothers cartoon "That's all folks" marked the end of the disco. Finally those who had dressed up assembled for a group photo. Afterwards members were asked to pack up and leave as quickly as possible. Around 23:30 I finally left the Paradise Room via the spiral stairs with Happy Helen and Sophia Jones, and was back at my hotel a few minutes later.

Summary of Evening

Show Opener: Alan Chilvers, Paul Heaney, Emma Erangey and others - "Music of the Night", "Monster Mash", "Thriller"
Welcome: Andy Hine
Act 1: The Sheppards - "Grim Grinning Ghosts"
Shocking - Nev and Ryan Hackett
Act 2: The Coaster Kids - "Coaster Busters"
Game 1: Kids' Gopher
Act 3: CJ (Ella & Molly) - "Jai Ho"

The Gong Show
1: Dan Ould - juggling horn went
2: Stuart Pope - singing horn went
3: Ryan Hackett - singing horn went
4: Alice & Harry - dancing to "My Heart Skips A Beat"
5: Death - did not have chance to start horn went
6: Barry Frost - spoken monologue horn went
7: Ellis Williams - dancing horn went
8: Nemesis Nick - circuit training exercises

Top two: Alice & Harry, Nemesis Nick; outright winner: Nemesis Nick
Bottom two: Death, Nemesis Nick; Ultimate worst: Nemesis Nick

Act 4: Liberty Williams – "Put A Spell On You"
Game 2: Bang!
Act 5: Carl May – "Fire"
Thank you message: Andy Hine
Act 6: Finale - "Time Warp"

After Show Party (Disco)

Group photo

Altogether an excellent evening of entertainment; although performed by RCCGB members I think it was better than Friday night's entertainment. For me it was great to perform a series of circuit training exercises in the Gong Show, but being voted the best and worst act left me confused to say the least! The after show disco provided a lively end to the evening.

More about Saturday evening available here

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Day Three - Sunday 27 April

First Thing

I awoke at 7:00, put on my RCCGB 20th anniversary T-shirt, packed and had breakfast just before 9:00. Once again, I could have had a full English breakfast, but chose beans on toast as a lighter alternative.

Initial Meet-Up

Having left my hotel just after 9:30 I walked to the Pleasure Beach Casino Tower. Everyone was waiting inside the tower on the ground floor. This was my first time ever of having a Sunday wristband and I had to go to the main desk to exchange my voucher for a wristband and gate pass. Nev said the ERS would be on three coasters: Big Dipper, Wild Mouse and Avalanche.

Morning ERS

At 10:00 the Club entered through the gates for the morning ERS. I began the ERS with four goes on Big Dipper, each of which gave plenty of AIRtime. Next I enjoyed one go on Avalanche. After that I got to Wild Mouse just in time to ride it once before the ERS ended.

Summary of my rides this ERS: Big Dipper 4, Avalanche 1, Wild Mouse 1 Who beat me on that?

After ERS

The ERS finished at 11:30. No further events were scheduled for Sunday. Members with Sunday wristbands stayed and continued riding. Those without Sunday wristbands left and went straight home or visited other Blackpool attractions. Since I had a Sunday wristband for the first time, I continued riding until closing time of 17:00, but didn't re-ride Big Dipper, Avalanche or Wild Mouse the rest of the day.

My first ride after the ERS was the Ghost Train. Since this has up and down hill sections, can this be classed as a coaster? Next I had one go on Alice Ride with Phil and Jackie from the RCCGB. Afterwards I rode Derby Racer and the tall drop tower ride Ice Blast once each.

Even though Grand National had just two trains running, the waiting time was considerably shorter than during the Saturday afternoon RCCGB ERS. I enjoyed three goes; on each of them I rode the maroon train, which was up against the green train. My train ascended the left lift hill on my first go. During my other two goes, my train went up the right lift hill, and won. Unexpectedly I saw Happy Helen and Sophia Jones on the other train on my third go, after which Helen, Sophia and I exited Grand National together. There was still time for Helen, Sophia and me to enjoy one go on Derby Racer together before Helen and Sophia had to leave to catch their coach home. Shortly afterwards I met Planenut by Grand National, I had my photo taken with him before he left to catch the RCCGB Bash Bus home.

After a much needed hot dog I donned my all-in-one splashsuit to ride a few water rides in Nickelodeon Land. There I enjoyed SpongeBob's Splash Bash, Dora's World Voyage and Rugrats Lost River log flume once each. Having taken my splashsuit off, I enjoyed two goes on the wooden coaster Nickelodeon Streak, one go on the mini drop tower The Krusty Krab Order Up (which is undeniably tame compared to Ice Blast, but still great fun), and two goes on the little woodie Blue Flyer. Thus I had now ridden all five wooden coasters at least once each on Sunday. After having my picture taken with Dora, showing my RCCGB 20th anniversary T-shirt, my final ride of the day in Nickelodeon Land was one go on Avatar Airbender.

During what remained of opening time, I enjoyed riding Steeplechase (I rode the yellow track as I missed that on Saturday), Big One and Revolution once each. My day ended with two goes on the inverted steel coaster Infusion, an exciting ride to end my day. Now that the time was 17:00, the rides were closed and it was time for me to leave the Pleasure Beach.

Cumulative Summary of My Rides (ERSs and Free Time Combined)

Ride	Total
Alice Ride	1
Avalanche	1
Avatar Airbender	1
Big Dipper	4
Big One	1
Blue Flyer	2
Derby Racer	2
Dora's World Voyage	1
Ghost Train	1
Grand National	3
Ice Blast	1
Infusion	2
Nickelodeon Streak	2
Revolution	1
Rugrats Lost River	1
SpongeBob's Splash Bash	1
Steeplechase	1
The Krusty Krab Order Up	1
Wild Mouse	1
TOTAL	28

Altogether another great day's riding, for me it was extra special to stay in the Pleasure Beach after the ERS and ride until Sunday closing time for the first time having attended the RCCGB Blackpool Bash every year since 2008.

Sunday Early Evening

As I left the Pleasure Beach at 17:10, I saw Chris Fletcher, Death, Ianto Gulliver and Gareth Arkell standing outside the entrance. I had my photo taken with Ianto. Having collected my luggage from my hotel, I walked to the seafront, hoping to catch a tram from South Pier to North Pier. Although I just missed one tram I saw pass by, shortly afterwards I caught a bus from South Pier to North Pier. Having left the bus at North Pier I walked to nearby Market Street Diner where I had fish, chips and mushy peas. Afterwards I fancied an ice cream, ironically I ended up walking back to North Pier to get a Carte d'Or 1 scoop ice cream; I chose caramel ice cream.

Journey Home

Without further ado I walked to Blackpool North station. I arrived with adequate time to enjoy a small Americano in Pumpkin café before catching the 18:44 train to Preston. From there my journey continued aboard three onward trains to Birmingham New Street, Bristol Temple Meads and Bath Spa. I finally reached home around 23:30.

More about Sunday available here

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Outro

Highlights

Meeting members I'd met on previous Club trips again (including Andy and Christine Hine, Alan Chilvers, Barry Frost, Death, Emerald Evans, Happy Helen, Sophia Jones, Mary and Andy Knight, Planenut, Ryan Hackett, Doug, Charlie, Emily and Lizzie).
ERSs on Big One, Steeplechase, Blue Flyer, Grand National, Big Dipper, Wild Mouse and Avalanche.
Having a Sunday wristband and thus riding after the Sunday ERS until closing time for the first time.
Good overall ride count both Saturday and Sunday (during ERSs and normal time).
Riding all five wooden coasters (including both lift hills of Grand National) both Saturday and Sunday)
Two nights of entertainment, plus dancing in the disco Saturday evening.
Dave Maryan's songs Friday evening.
Performing a series of circuit training exercises in the Gong Show Saturday evening, and the freak result that followed!
Dry, mostly sunny weather Saturday and Sunday.

Lowlights

Problems with Big One and Steeplechase Saturday morning (but at least there was a bonus Big One ERS Saturday evening).
Problems with the homeward train journey at Preston Sunday evening, but at least I managed to reach Birmingham New Street in time for my intended connecting train to Bristol.

Summing Up

Another mega excellent weekend away at Blackpool in Granadaland, my seventh Blackpool Bash to-date. It was great riding the Big One, Grand National, Infusion and other rides again, and catching up with other members. Thanks a million to Andy Hine for all the effort involved in organising a trip of this nature. At the Blackpool Bash, the ERSs and other riding are only part of the fun. The other major chunk of the fun includes the Friday evening entertainment, Saturday lunch and Saturday evening Coaster Crazy Show and disco. It was great to be back in the Gong Show, having missed it in 2013, but it seemed really weird to be have the seemingly impossible accolade of best and worst act! Perhaps it's time to overhaul the voting system somehow, so that whoever is voted the winner cannot subsequently be voted the worst act. No wonder Nev says in the Blackpool Bash invite "If you can only make one Club trip this year, make it this one".

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