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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
Lifestyle
Lee Grimsditch

Lost Frontierland theme park with amazing sea views Mancunians wish was around for their own kids

It seems the Frontierland theme park provided generations of Manchester kids with some of the best memories of their lives.

After a recently published article in the MEN on the lost rides of the now demolished Frontierland, people took to the comments to share memories and express their sadness that it was no longer around. The Wild West theme park in Morecambe, Lancashire, closed in 2000 and had been abandoned for the past 20-years.

Now the demolished Frontierland site is finally set to be reused. Lancaster City Council has bought the land that used to be home to the Morecambe theme park, saying it intends to use the land to "help drive the reinvention of the town".

Read More: Frontierland: Lost rides of now abandoned theme park loved by Manchester kids in its heyday

After we published the story at the weekend, people took to the comments on Facebook to share their memories of the now lost theme park. Wayne Boyle, who said he worked at the park for three summers between 1991 and 1993, said: "I remember we tried to have the coach day trips from Manchester and Liverpool on separate days to try and prevent any trouble!"

He added: "I've been in Manchester for 20-years now but when I go back up visiting family it's depressing how little there is now apart from the fantastic views across the bay."

Michael Ziemas posted: "I still miss it, it was the pride of Morecambe." While Val Daniels remembered: "Mam and dad took us there for a few years in '70s, we used to stay in flatlets on Chatsworth Road. [I] remember it well, happy days."

Jonathan Lumb had a particular memory, he commented: "I remember a big wheel, probably early 1980s, with zero Health and Safety". Griz Rushton had a similar memory, replying: "So do I, it was huge and everyone I recall it too doesn’t recall it, so I thought I’d imagined it!"

You didn't imagine it, Griz. To prove it, here's a photo of the big wheel from the early '80s when Frontierland was still known as Morecambe Pleasure Park.

The 150 foot Skyride at Morecambe Pleasure Park, August 1981 (Mirrorpix)

Many people posting on the story expressed sadness that Frontierland was no longer around. Saying the Wild West theme park had provided them with endless memories happy from their own childhood.

Joe Dempsey, said: "Many fond memories of my parents taking me there as a child, especially the magic show, which was just amazing, and used the soundtrack from The Lost Boys."

Join our Greater Manchester history, memories and people Facebook group here.

While Julie Mallinson posted: "Loved it there - really upset when it shut down. Loved going to the lights in the park too, don't think they do that anymore, shame."

Danielle Whatmough, replying to her friend who asked her if she remembered the park, said: "Aww, I do. Spent hours there didn’t we, good memories love. Wish it was still all there so we could show our kids."

Carol Bate, also responding to a friend's comment, said: "Lovely memories, bring it back. Kids got their money's worth there; no long queues and you could have as many goes as you wanted. And it didn't matter if it was raining you just kept going on the water logs, lovely jubbly."

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Natalie Barbour O'Connell also had fond memories of the log flume. Tagging her friend, Jodie, she posted: "Do you remember every time we got to the top of the log flume, we'd turn around and come down backwards?! Surprised we never fell out of it!"

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