RCCGB Folly Farm 2014

Date: Friday 8 August 2014
Venue: Folly Farm near Kilgetty
Who Went: Me and a large number of other RCCGB members, including Andy Hine, Debra Boggis, Matt Walker, Paul (aka Herman), Planenut, Ryan Hackett.

DISCLAIMER: The above is not intended to be an exhaustive list of everyone who attended. It's a small sample of attendees; mainly those I spoke to and/or rode with at Folly Farm. I sincerely apologise to anyone I've not listed.

Rationale For Trip

A pre-Oakwood add-on to RCCGB Mega-Glow-Mania 2014, a visit to Folly Farm near Kilgetty. The itinerary was the same as 2013: (i) the daytime was free for everyone to enjoy the Park amenities at their leisure, (ii) after closing time the day culminated in an exclusive fair session in the Vintage Funfair, plus a basket meal in the Funfair Restaurant. For the purposes of Mega-Glow-Mania 2014, you could think of this visit to Folly Farm as the starter, and the Saturday visit to Oakwood as the main course.

N.B. Any use of "today" or "Friday" hereafter in this report means Friday 8 August 2014. Any use of "Saturday" means Saturday 9 August 2014.

Friday First Thing

Having awoke at 7:00 I had breakfast at the normal time of 8:00 consisting of a choice of cereal (I had cornflakes), glass of orange juice, full traditional breakfast, four triangles of toast and a cafetiere of coffee. Being as I wasn't intending to be go on any rides during the morning, I enjoyed a full traditional breakfast.

Getting To Folly Farm

I was able to get to Folly Farm by bus. Having left my hotel at 9:25 I walked to the bus stops the other side of town. There I caught the 9:40 Haverfordwest bus which stopped right outside Folly Farm. Between Tenby and Saundersfoot, I suddenly realised I'd forgotten my trip badge and letter. Since it was now not practical to return to my hotel to collect my badge and letter, and restart my journey to Folly Farm later, I just stayed on the bus all the way to Folly Farm and hoped for the best when I got there.

Welcome To Folly Farm

I reached Folly Farm at 10:15. According to the trip letter, we were officially due to enter as a group at 11:00. However Folly Farm was already open, and the general public were being admitted, so I joined the e-tickets and annual passes queue. When it was my turn, I showed my RCCGB card to the receptionist and explained that I was booked on today's RCCGB trip here, but had forgotten my letter and trip badge. The receptionist found my name on the list, ticked me off, and admitted me no problem.

Normal Opening Time

Follywood

During my 2012 and 2013 visits to Folly Farm I didn't have time to see the part of the Park across the road, so once I was admitted I headed straight for the subway and walked through to the "across the road" part of Folly Farm. This area is known as Follywood.

Percy's Piggery

The first attraction I noticed in Follywood was Percy's Piggery, home to various breeds of pigs. These included Oxford Sandy & Black Pig, Middle White Pig and Mangalitza Pig.

Outside Percy's Piggery, there didn't appear to be much else to see in the Follywood area of the Park. Someone told me that, to see the rest of Follywood, I would need to go on the land train ride.

Land Train

At 11:00 I got on the land train. The train set off along a track, and passed various animals along the way. At the far end riders had the option of getting off to walk along a nature trail. I chose not to do that trail and simply stayed on the land train back to the start. The return route was slightly different to the outward route, thereby taking riders past even more animals.

The Jolly Barn

Back in the main part of the Park, I entered the Jolly Barn. High on the wall is a sign showing drawings of farm animals, with the question "Can you draw the animals?" Visitors are allowed to draw the animals on the large chalk board beneath that sign. I tried drawing the pig, and my attempt was quite impressive; I took a photo of my finished drawing and asked someone to photograph me pointing to it. I even named my drawing Percy the Pig.

Afterwards I resisted the temptation to see the farm animals in the Jolly Barn or play in nearby Carousel Woods, because it was currently dry and sunny outside. Therefore I felt it was in my best interest to see the zoo and other outdoor areas now, and save the rest of the Jolly Barn and Carousel Woods for later.

The Zoo

Without further ado I headed for the zoo. I began with the giraffe and zebra enclosure in the Motobo Hills (African Reserve) section. Next I walked through Folly Forests, home to various monkeys including the Common Squirrel Monkey.

New for 2014 is the lion enclosure called Pride of Pembrokeshire. This is surrounded by a high fence, with another secondary fence outside it. I went inside the building in which information about the lion enclosure is displayed. Also inside that building is a large window through which visitors can see and photograph the lions without being obscured by the fence wire. Having left the building I walked around the outside of the lion enclosure and saw another outdoor window through which visitors have an unobstructed view of the lions.

My first sighting of other RCCGB members was in the area between Pride of Pembrokeshire and Penguin Coast around 12:50, when I met Nev, Debra Boggis and Planenut. At this point I briefly showed them my pink hi-vis jacket which was intended for the Saturday evening Megafobia ERS, and they quite liked it. Afterwards I walked around the Penguin Coast area.

Lunch

Having left Penguin Coast I felt like a light snack. I went to nearby Carousel Café, where I had filled deli bread and a cup of coffee. That's all I wanted after my big breakfast earlier.

The Zoo (continued)

After lunch I returned to the zoo to see the rest of the animals, starting with the emus. Next I walked up the path in the corner of the zoo where it says "More animals this way". The layout of the paths around this area has changed a bit since last year, presumably due to the relocation of some animals following construction of the new Pride of Pembrokeshire lion enclosure. Animals I saw in this corner of the Park included Red River Hog, Reindeer and Cusimanse. Also in this area is the Zoolympics challenge "get your dancing shoes on", in visitors can follow the step by step instructions to dance like a crane. I had a go, and did the routine twice over.

Having left that corner of the Park, my next stop was Tapir Territory, a lake populated by tapir birds. Afterwards I saw the Bactrian Camels, which have two humps. I finished off my time in the zoo section by seeing the Pride of Pembrokeshire lion enclosure again.

Ice Cream Time

Having left the zoo for the final time, I saw an ice cream kiosk, so took the opportunity to have a whippy ice cream. By now the sky had clouded over, but at least it was still dry.

Pembrokeshire Wheel

A big wheel. This required one 50p token. The views from the top were breath-taking. The wheel did a few rotations before it was time for me to get off, but I didn't count how many times I went around altogether.

Afternoon Coffee

Late afternoon I felt like a coffee, so I went to the café called Coffee Shop. There I had a cappuccino coffee and sat at one of the indoor tables to drink it.

The Jolly Barn

This is the indoor barn part of the farm. Around 16:10 I entered The Jolly Barn and headed straight for the chalk board where I drew a pig earlier. The space where I drew my pig had been reused by someone else now, so it was just as well I photographed my drawing immediately after finishing it in the morning. For the next ten minutes I walked around the Jolly Barn seeing the farm animals, which included sheep and lambs, goats and goat kids, bronze turkeys, pigs, a shire horse and miniature ponies.

Carousel Woods

A wooden indoor play area, which adults are allowed to play on. It includes the following facilities:
4-lane Astra slide
Four tube slides
Log ramps and bridges
Multi-level towers; inter-floor access is by log ramps and/or climbing / dropping through holes

I entered Carousel Woods at 16:35, and played there until closing time of 17:30. In that time I went down the four Astra slide lanes twice each and all the tube slides at least twice each. I covered all parts of the play area including going up and down through the holes between levels in the towers. The tallest tower situated near the front of the play area has three wooden "proper" upper floors (first, second, third) above the ground floor. In addition, each of the said floors has a hole in it. I went through the hole in the third floor, through the holes in two intermediate levels, through the second floor, through two more intermediate levels, through the first floor and through more intermediate levels to the ground floor, and vice versa. One slight change to this particular tower since last year is that the ladder which linked the first floor to the second floor has been replaced with a 2-stage log ramp, as has the ladder which linked the second floor to the third floor. That change has spoilt the fun of the tower a bit, but on the plus side it is a worthwhile improvement in the interests of safety. My only problem was where to put my rucksack. I tended to put it somewhere on the play structure and move it from time to time depending where I was. There really ought to be lockers nearby for you to put luggage in.

Exclusive Fair Session

Folly Farm closed to the public at 17:30. However for us it was the beginning of the best part of the day, our Exclusive Fair Session (EFS). I found other RCCGB members waiting by the Wurlitzer Organ. Whilst waiting I showed a few other members my pink hi-vis jacket that was really intended for the Saturday evening Megafobia ERS.

The Club was split into two groups, A and B. The plan was to run two rides at once (rides 1 and 2 for explanation purposes), with group A on ride 1 and group B on ride 2, then swap over to have group B on ride 1 and group A on ride 2. We began by taking turns to ride the 1950s Caterpillar Ride and Jets.

1950s Caterpillar Ride

This goes round and round, and due to undulations in the track, it also gives up and down motion. Part way through the ride, the canopy is put over the riders, so the ride resembles a caterpillar racing around the track. Near the end the canopy is removed. I sat alone in row number 17.

Jets

Mini jet planes at the ends of arms which radiate from a central hub; I sat with Nev in plane number 11. When the ride started the planes all went around in a circle, and rose upwards shortly afterwards. However they didn't all go high simultaneously. A third of the planes reached full height, a third went to a midrange height and the remainder stayed relatively low. As the ride progressed each plane had a turn at each height. Finally all planes returned to their stationary height before the ride slowed and stopped.

For the next two rides, the groups took turns to ride the 1937 Coronation Speedway and Rock n' Roll Waltzer.

1937 Coronation Speedway

Also called Royal Coronation Speedway, this has horses, cars and motorbikes fixed to a circular wooden undulating track. I sat on a horse. The ride went round and round, up and down.

Rock n' Roll Waltzer

Self-explanatory, this is a typical fairground waltzer. Each waltzer has a rock star's face and signature on the back. I rode with Paul (aka Herman) in the waltzer bearing Buddy Holly on the back.

Ghost Train

This has several individual ride cars, which resemble railway engines, running on a track. Thus riders entered and left this ride one by one as trains became available. I got into train number 3 which followed the track through a spooky enclosure. After one lap I left the train.

1938 Dodgem Track

Another common funfair ride, the dodgems aka bumper cars. The group arrangement did not apply here. Instead the cars were filled on a first-come first-served basis. There were some members (I was one of them) who couldn't be accommodated though

At the end of that run, everyone who had just ridden dodgems left the ride. A second run was held for those like me who missed out first time around. Some cars were still empty, and they were filled with members who had already ridden, on a first-come first-served basis. Thus some members were lucky enough to get two goes on the dodgems. Now I'm not too keen on dodgems at the best of times, but I was determined to give it a go. I tried my best at driving my car around the track, but at certain times got into difficulty steering it.

Evening Meal

Once everyone had left the dodgems, it was time for dinner at the Funfair Restaurant. When booking we were asked to specify whether we wanted fish and chips, sausage and chips or veggie burger and chips. That doesn't necessarily mean everyone stuck with their original choices whilst being served. I had what I'd originally specified: fish and chips. A fizzy drink was also included, I chose Sprite. As I nearly finished my meal one of the catering staff asked if anyone wanted some of the remaining spare chips, so I went back for more. There were also a few sausages left over, so I had two spare sausages.

Around 19:15 everyone returned to riding. Normally I wouldn't go on rides immediately after eating, but this time I wanted to return to riding anyway. Thankfully even the spinning rides at Folly Farm are reasonably suitable for riding immediately after eating, unlike rides such as Disko, swinging pirate ship or Freak Out type rides. We split into the two groups we formed at the start, and took turns to ride the 1936 Lakin Swirl and Chair-o-Plane.

1936 Lakin Swirl

Also called the Super Swirl or Lakin Skid, this has waltzer style ride cars with small wheels beneath them. Each car is attached by a pivot to a triangle protruding from the spinning central unit. That results in a rather unusual ride experience; a car rotates as far as it can go in one direction before suddenly being thrown sharply back in the opposite direction. I sat alone in car number 8.

Chair-o-Plane

Basically a carousel with chairs hanging from chains. As the ride spins the chairs are forced outwards on an angle. A gentle, pleasurable ride, that's all I really need to say about this. When the ride ended I was surprised it took several revolutions to slow down and stop.

At this point I put on my pink hi-vis jacket as I felt like wearing it for the remaining few rides.

Folly Farm's Famous Gallopers

Traditional galloping horses, no further explanation needed. I sat on the horse Graham.

1950s Cyclone Twist

A ride that should be familiar to everyone. This 1950s model obviously looks a bit primitive compared to the more modern ones you tend to see these days (which most of us are likely to have ridden somewhere, generally called Twister nowadays). Most members including me got on the first run. I sat with Herman in car number 3 during the first run. Being as I'd been on this sort of thing plenty of times before elsewhere, I knew what to expect. Just as I expected, this 1950s model gave a ride experience more or less the same as more modern models. Great fun, I still think the Cyclone is one of my favourite non-coaster rides.

Afterwards a second run was held primarily for those who had missed out first time around. The remaining seats were filled with members who had already ridden this first time, on a first-come first-served basis. I was lucky enough to get back on for the second run, this time I sat in car 4 with Andy.

Brooklyn Cakewalk

I'm sure I can't be the only member who initially thought 1950s Cyclone Twist would be our last ride of the day. Surprisingly there was still time for another ride, the Brooklyn Cakewalk. The whole group queued for the ride. Although several riders could be on it simultaneously, members had to be admitted to it one by one with a short gap between each. I got on to it fairly early on; there was a strange sensation whilst walking along the moving platform. In the interests of safety I held the rails whilst walking. Perhaps the hardest part was stepping from the first moving platform to the stationary landing at the far end and on to the second moving platform to return to entrance / exit end. Just as riders entered the ride one by one, they left it one by one.

Having left the ride I rejoined the queue and managed to get a second go. At the end of my second go most were standing watching, but I tried queuing again, and managed to get a third go. Once I had completed my third go the ride was closed, thereby marking the end of the EFS.

Summary of my day in order of activity

Daytime

Percy's Piggery
Land Train
The Jolly Barn (pig drawing)
The Zoo
Lunch at Carousel Café
The Zoo (continued)
Pembrokeshire Wheel
Afternoon Coffee
The Jolly Barn (seeing farm animals)
Carousel Woods (about one hour)

Exclusive Fair Session

1950s Caterpillar Ride 1
Jets 1
1937 Coronation Speedway 1
Rock n' Roll Waltzer 1
Ghost Train 1
1938 Dodgem Track 1

Evening meal at Funfair Restaurant

1936 Lakin Swirl 1
Chair-o-Plane 1
Folly Farm's Famous Gallopers 1
1950s Cyclone Twist 2
Brooklyn Cakewalk 3

Alphabetic Summary Table of EFS Rides

Ride	Total
Brooklyn Cakewalk	3
1950s Caterpillar Ride	1
Chair-o-Plane	1
1937 Coronation Speedway	1
1950s Cyclone Twist	2
1938 Dodgem Track	1
Folly Farm's Famous Gallopers	1
Ghost Train	1
Jets	1
1936 Lakin Swirl	1
Rock n' Roll Waltzer	1
TOTAL	14

Rest Of Friday

Once the ERS ended, the day was over and we all had to return to the car park. As the Club exited Folly Farm, I asked someone to photograph me wearing my "I'm Not An Adult I'm A Big Kid!" T-shirt and pink hi-vis jacket. Back at the car park, Andy gave me a lift to my hotel in Tenby. At 20:15 I was back at Myrtle House Hotel. A little later I went to get myself an ice cream from Fecci's Ice Cream Parlour, and sat in the Paragon garden to eat it. After that I returned to my hotel and got what I needed ready for Saturday.

Outro

Highlights

Playing on Carousel Woods indoor play structure late afternoon.
Evening Exclusive Fair Session on the Vintage Funfair rides.
Evening meal in the Funfair Restaurant.

Lowlights

Suddenly realising, on my way to Folly Farm, I'd left my trip badge and letter at my hotel.
Having to take my rucksack around Carousel Woods with me due to lack of lockers.

Summing Up

Altogether a worthwhile appetiser to Mega-Glow-Mania at Oakwood. During the day I particularly enjoyed playing on Carousel Woods indoor play structure for about an hour late afternoon, as well as one go on the Pembrokeshire Wheel. Best of all was after 17:30: a few vintage rides, a meal, and more vintage rides ending with the Brooklyn Cakewalk. Basically the visit to Folly Farm can be summed up as a leisurely day around the farm, zoo and other attractions, culminating in a spin on the vintage rides early evening, as a warm-up to Oakwood the day after. An added bonus was that the weather was better than predicted, dry all day, mainly sunny. Thank you very much Nev for arranging today at Folly Farm, I hope it continues as part of Mega-Glow-Mania next year and beyond.