The Loss of Wicky?

'The Wicksteed Charitable Trust, which owns Wicksteed Park, has launched a fundraising appeal in a bid to save the park in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic.'

I am not a big fan of theme parks. I don't begrudge other people visiting them and having fun, but my stomach won't take the rides. I think I am still recovering from a Guide visit to Blackpool Pleasure Beach some years ago when the most exciting ride I went on was the Steeplechase horseriding 'roller coaster.'

However, I was saddened to see in the press that Wicksteed Park near Kettering has gone into administration. Coronavirus casualty causing financial strain after the Government announced the closure of the leisure industry, hitting businesses as they head into their busy tourist season. But also the inability to function fully, if they reopened, with the 2m social distancing rule. The Trust who run Wicky are funding a new company to keep the park open til next Spring when (hopefully) it will reopen fully to celebrate its centenary year.

Oliver Wicksteed, Chair of the Trust said “The green space access that we have provided during this crisis has been crucial for people’s mental health and wellbeing. But ultimately, Wicksteed Park is a private park which costs a great deal of money to maintain if we are to continue to open for people to use free of charge, as we have for the last 99 years."

The Park has a loyal customer base and has received messages of support from across the UK. But like Wicky, many tourist attractions including Museums and Art Galleries are struggling to remain financially viable. As we head into the main season, we need to generate enough income to see us through the harder winter months, but will our visitors be confident enough to venture out and visit sites? This is a big question that many venues are having to think about.

I have many fond memories of Wicksteed Park as it is located near where I used to live. I have taken Guides on visits there and even Naomi when she was very small. I even led a Guide campfire for over 1,000 Girlguiding members in the grounds before sleeping overnight with them in the Park's Pavilion! I have spent many a happy hour traipsing around the park or getting wet on the water shute. Fun times.

Mind you, Wicky is not Alton Towers or Chessington World of Adventures, but there is something quaint and lovable about the place.  Opened in 1921, it the oldest theme park on the UK mainland. Land purchased in 1913 by its found Charles Wicksteed, was to initially create a model village but after World War One and housing reforms, Charles looked to develop a park for people to spend their leisure time. He set up a charitable trust in 1916 and built prefabricated houses – some of which are still within the park grounds today.

A significant feature of the park is a large lake, dug by hand and steam ploughs in 1916-17. A favourite with the visitors, the railway, was opened in 1931. But Charles' inventive designs led him to build play equipment, which eventually led to a business that exported to over 80 countries worldwide.

So I wish Wicky well in these difficult times and hope that they are still with us in 2021 for their centenary celebrations. These are hard times for all businesses, but as we head towards the 4th July we hope that the leisure sector can ride the storm after the pandemic. For that is the date that many of us are looking towards to open our doors to welcome our visitors back.