Fairy Dell officially opened by Alton Towers founder

Fairytale Farm’s brand new themed play area was officially opened yesterday (17th June 2023) by John L Broome CBE, the founder of Alton Towers Theme Park. The ceremony also marked 10 years since Fairytale Farm itself was opened by then Prime Minister David Cameron.

John pulled the cord to unveil a commemorative plaque, which celebrates the official opening of this magical new play area, which is almost exactly 10 years to the day since Fairytale Farm itself was officially opened on 21st June 2013.

The opening ceremony was followed by a 10th anniversary celebration in a marquee at Fairytale Farm, attended by many of the people who helped to create Fairytale Farm 10 years ago, along with current and past members of staff, volunteers and contractors who have worked with Fairytale Farm over the last 10 years.

The more than 80 attendees included: Glen Pashley, a now retired builder, who built the Fairytale Farm Cafe and Wishing Well; Richard Ryan, former Blackpool Illuminations supremo, who created the Farm’s spectacular illuminations; Ron Smith, Fairytale Farm’s first ever gardener; Edwina Fawcett, the Farm’s first manager; Andy Blake, the sculptor who created the Snow White Garden, the huge Beanstalk and more recently Dino Valley; Kaleb Cooper, who has provided agricultural contracting services to Fairytale Farm for more than 10 years (and is now a little more famous for starring in the hit Amazon series Clarkson’s Farm); and Alan Powell and Alex Urquhart from HPW Architects, who have designed Fairytale Farm’s forthcoming Theatre building.

Many attendees brought their own children, who had Fairy Dell and the rest of Fairytale Farm to themselves all evening.

Fairytale Farm owner Nick Laister provided a slide show of some of Fairytale Farm’s more memorable moments over the last 10 years, including: Olivia Laister’s first ever ride on the ever-popular Wheelchair Swing; the opening day with David Cameron; the 2014 Valentine’s Day storm that destroyed the huge Mermaid Tiffany Lamp; the day the Daleks invaded the Farm; a look at the many celebrities that have visited Fairytale Farm over the first 10 years; and getting pulled over by the Police on the M6 towing several dinosaurs from Blackpool Pleasure Beach to Fairytale Farm (and finding ourselves all over social media!).

Finally, Nick Laister introduced guest of honour John Broome to the stage, who provided his thoughts about the success of Fairytale Farm and where it is likely to go in the future. John Broome is one of the most prominent figures in the history of tourism in the UK. When he opened Alton Towers Theme Park in 1980, he brought the modern theme park to the United Kingdom and created the largest visitor attraction outside of London. John kick-started the redevelopment of London’s Battersea Power Station, developed the luxury golf resort Carden Park and more recently created Camel Creek Family Theme Park in Cornwall.

Posted: Sunday June 18, 2023