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‘Stop copying’ pleads French manufacturer


Reverchon is the latest European name to issue a plea to fellow manufacturers to stop copying its rides. “To be copied is a sign of recognition but the counterfeit products presents many downsides,” says Christian Reverchon, whose son Gilles Reverchon heads up Reverchon Attraction. “Those who copy insult the intelligence of those who have spent thousands of hours to search for technical and aesthetical solutions.” The family has pioneered various rides over the years, but it is Reverchon Attraction’s range of rollercoasters and flume rides – including its popular spinning ‘Mouse’ coaster – that are highlighted in a letter issued recently to the trade press. Furthermore the French company insists there is “no agreement whatsoever with any manufacturer be they Italian, Czech, Portuguese, Spanish, Turkish, French or Chinese” to licence any of Reverchon’s designs and that it will take action against anyone found operating what it describes as a “copy ride.” Reverchon Attraction will unveil details of four new rides at this month’s Euro Attractions Show in Amsterdam, an XL spinning coaster, junior spinning coaster, swinging coaster and mini flume. See the full letter from Christian Reverchon at bit.ly/1rSm40f


reverchon-attraction.com New show for


Reverchon’s swinging coaster – more info


at EAS


Anderson and Robinson


remembered Mike Anderson and Gerry Robinson, who died within weeks of each other recenty, were both stalwart figures of the British parks and attractions supplier industry.


Mike Anderson As sales director and Windmill wheel


Located, suitably enough, in Holland, Michigan, Nelis’ Dutch Village has introduced Harry’s Windmill Ride, a unique Ferris wheel themed around a Dutch windmill. The 1940- built Eli Bridge ride, consisting of 12 chairs seating two to three people each, provides passengers with the illusion of riding on the fins of an authentic Dutch windmill as they soar 45ft (13.5m) in the air.


Owner Joe Nelis discovered the wheel during an auction in 2009 of rides from Chicago’s Kiddieland. However, it wasn’t until the summer of 2013 that he was able to acquire the ride, which was restored last winter before being installed in the park this spring. The inspiration for the mill on the side of the attraction was the Grosmolen windmill built in 1640 in Hoogmade, The Netherlands.


the UK The British Association of Leisure Parks, Piers and Attractions (BALPPA) is to lend its support to a new trade show being staged in London. The Visitor Attraction Expo will be held as part of the established EAG International event at ExCeL from 13 to 15 January.


“In addition to representing the interests of owners, managers and developers, the BALPPA membership includes a large number of trade suppliers who have for some time been requesting our own expo,” explains BALPPA chief executive Paul Kelly. “We believe that such a show sits well within our strategy of supporting members through seminars, education programmes and the provision of networking opportunities.” BALPPA, which has already had an agreement with EAG for some years, will held its Annual Dinner and AGM in London during the event. For more details see eagexpo.com or the advertisement on page 9.


22 dutchvillage.com


partner at Interlink, and previously with Big Country Motioneering, Mimafab and WGH Transportation, Mike Anderson possessed many years' ride manufacturing experience. As well as the many international projects he completed over the years, he was instrumental in installing several flume rides, rollercoasters and transportation systems at various British parks during what some would argue was a heyday in the 1980s. He was also a founder member and former chairman of the Association of Amusement and Leisure Equipment Suppliers of the United Kingdom (ALES-UK).


Gerry Robinson, who established ALES-UK over a decade ago, served as its secretary until stepping down from the position earlier this year due to ill health. The former policeman found a second career in the attractions industry when he became involved in various trade shows, providing invaluable liaison between exhibitors and organisers at DEAL in Dubai and the annual RAAPA Expo in Moscow, where he was highly regarded by his Russian colleagues. As an accredited trade organiser, he was able to secure ALES members thousands of pounds in government grants to attend these and other overseas events. He also co-ordinated the education programmes at several shows, including DEAL.


Although both men were of retirement age (Mike and Gerry were 70 and 75 respectively at the time of their death), they continued to work in an industry where they had many friends, almost as a labour of love. They will be missed by many colleagues at various industry get-togethers over the coming months, including Euro Attractions Show in Amsterdam.


The funeral of Mike Anderson was held on 8 September, while a service for Gerry Robinson was due to be staged at Worcester Crematorium on 18 September. We will be happy to pass on family details to anyone who contacts the Park World office.


Gerry Robinson SEPTEMBER 2014


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