Wicksteed Park celebrates milestone ride of iconic Water Chute
Riders climbed aboard Wicksteed Park’s iconic Water Chute today to mark its one millionth ride.
Ten visitors splashed down on the 100-year-old theme park attraction, one of the world’s oldest surviving water-based rides, on Tuesday, September 1, to celebrate the major milestone.
The event was held to highlight Wicksteed Charitable Trust’s campaign to raise £30,000 to pay for urgent repairs to the ride’s roof.
Some of the lucky riders selected were Poppy, Lucy and Holly Ogden, Ryan and Michelle Judd, Debbie Thompson and Haisley Callum, who have been coming to the park for most of their lives.
Michelle, who has been coming to the park for nearly 40 years, said: “It’s pretty awesome really, to say you’re part of history, at this park, to say you’ve done the one millionth ride”.
Ryan said the ride was “absolutely amazing” and that they got “splashed massively”.
Anthony Scott, also chosen as one of the riders, thought the splashdown was “fantastic”.
Mr Scott, who lives in one of the lodges in the park, is planning a volunteer litter pick to help raise funds for the chute.
He said: “It’s a unique ride, I think it’s the only one in the county and to preserve it is a must.”