Theme park wants your help to stay high and dry

Oakwood Theme Park is to stage its very own vote on election day (Thursday May 6th) to discover if it’s possible to stay dry on Europe’s wettest ride - and they want your help.

On Thursday a team of volunteers from the Pembrokeshire park will don a variety of different outfits to see which one keeps them driest on their giant water ride Hydro.

Hydro is the tallest, steepest and wettest ride in Europe. After climbing more than 30 metres into the air riders are faced with a near vertical 88 degree drop into 4.5million litres of water.

Even spectators need to be on their guard to dodge the 45 foot splash wave on the wooden viewing bridge.

Park director Andy Hygate said: “Hydro is one of our most popular rides and getting soaked is all part of the fun.

“However we’ve decided to run an experiment to discover which types of clothing and waterproof equipment provide the greatest protection.

“Our team here have come up with some suggestions of their own but we would also like to invite people to email in their ideas – the plan is for us to then pick out the best ones and test them out.

“Whoever comes up with the most effective, practical and safe idea will win a year’s membership to the park and the opportunity to try out their suggestion on Hydro for themselves,” he added.

A team of volunteers has been recruited as guinea pigs for the experiment and the effectiveness of their outfits will be judged by an impartial group of adjudicators who will take into account everything from overall dryness, to comfort and practicality.

• Anyone who has a suggestion can email, along with their contact details to marketing@oakwoodthemepark.co.uk. All entries should be marked ‘High and Dry Vote’.

Celebrating National Pet Month

Dog owners who visit Oakwood Theme Park throughout April and May are being invited to show their support for National Pet Month.

The Pembrokeshire theme park is one of the few in the UK to provide free kennelling for visitors’ pets.

The service is normally free, with visitors paying a refundable deposit. However for the duration of National Pet Month staff are inviting owners to donate the deposit to a local animal rescue charity.

Local dog trainer Amy Shaler of Dogs ‘n’ Stuff said: “Many visitors come to the area on holiday with their pets and Oakwood’s kennels provide a safe, secure and comfortable environment for the dogs to relax in while their owners enjoy the rides.

“I know how much holidaymakers appreciate this, normally, free service and think Oakwood’s idea to utilise the kennel service to raise awareness of National Pet Month and help raise funds for a local animal rescue centre at the same time is a fantastic.

“It’s particularly relevant as the theme of this year’s campaign is responsible pet ownership. Everyone knows the potential risks of leaving dogs in cars during hot weather – Oakwood’s kennels provide the perfect alternative.”

National Pet Month is a charity raising the profile of how to look after our pets responsibly whilst showing how much fun we can have with them.

This year, from 3 April – 3 May, National Pet Month is marking its 21st birthday and thousands of people are celebrating life with their pets at hundreds of events throughout the UK.

The theme of this year’s event is ‘Healthy pets make happy pets’ and aims to promote responsible pet ownership.

All money raised from the event will be donated to the nearby Green Acres Animal Rescue centre.

First week of opening

Distinct lack of blogging of late - sorry guys been manic with the reopening of the park. LOADS of stuff has been happening at Oakwood - here's a brief round up for you ...

KO the police dog came for a visit with his handler Sharon Gibby!

The dog section use Oakwood for training during our closed period and Sharon, who passed her course in February, completed much of her training here. Personnally, I'm a sucker for a big dog and the gorgeous KO was no exception!

Danger Mouse opened the park for 2010!

The fearless mouse popped down to Pembrokeshire to officially open the park for 2010 and, of course, to check out Speed and Megafobia!

New Bounce sculpture unveiled

One of our Ash trees needed to be cut down but rather than just remove it we got an amazing chainsaw sculptor to do this ...

Furry friends arrive

We had a lovely arrival this week - rabbits and guinea pigs. They were a bit shy when they saw the camera but here's a sneak preview for you ...

The Tower of Doom (Part 2)

Ok - Bounce climb completed, cables replaced and painting has commenced.

Rob Prickett, one of our ride engineers, bravely took on the task of 'spring cleaning' Bounce! At Oakwood everything is bigger and better and spring cleaning is no different - our type of spring cleaning involves half a mile of scaffolding, harnesses, hard hats and climbing endless flights of stairs. Of course, this is nothing for our hardened engineers, wearing pink marigolgs though is another matter!!!!!

The Tower of Doom ...

... well that's what the Bounce currently is to me as I prepare to climb the scaffolding to the top of it.

We've been planning to head up for a number of days but the wind, snow and rain over the last week have made it somewhat treacherous - this doesn't help one iota when you suffer from vertigo! Fingers crossed I can be brave enough!

LOADS of maintenance jobs going on at the moment - rendering buildings, replacing fences etc etc. Our maintenance manager is even attempting to cut out the silhouette of a rollercoaster on one of our fences - how artistic!

Recruitment is still ongoing - applications forms are still be accepted but hurry not long until our recruitment weeekend!

Canaston Bowl has got laods of fab events coming up - pre-valentine's day speed dating event and special offers throughout the 6 nations.

CANASTON BOWL AIMING TO GIVE CUPID A HELPING HAND

Canaston Bowl is on a mission to help the single people of Pembrokeshire to get a date and find true love in time for Valentine’s Day.

The popular bowling centre is organising a free one-off pre-Valentine’s Day speed dating event on Friday, February 12th.

The event will be held in the centre’s function room from 7pm onwards and light refreshments will be available.

It’s the first time the bowling centre will have staged a speed dating event and manager Emma Owen is keen that as many single people as possible get involved.

“Everyone who applies will have the opportunity to meet new people and hopefully find love in time for Valentines Day!” she said.

“All participants will get to spend three to four minutes getting to know each other before moving on to the next potential love interest,” she added.

After everybody has met their scorecards will be collected and couples that are matched will receive a complimentary date that same evening at the Canaston Bowl.

“First dates can always be a little daunting so we thought that a great way to 'break the ice' before Valentines Day would be by either going bowling or having a game in our Crystal Maze adventure,” said Emma.

“People can be sure to avoid those awkward silences by having fun getting to meet new friends or potentially new love interests in a fun and relaxing environment,” she added.

Located next to Oakwood Theme Park, the Canaston Bowl offers a variety of all-weather activities for the whole family to enjoy.

As well as classic Ten Pin Bowling, there’s The Crystal Maze game which is based on the legendary TV show. There is also a Game Zone with arcade games, pool tables and a fully licensed bar, a function room with a plasma screen TV, and a snack bar to refuel the family.

Anyone who wants to take part in the FREE Speed Dating Event must be over the age of 18 to apply and should send their details (Name, Age and Telephone Number) to: e.owen@oakwoodthemepark.co.uk or call 01834 891622. All entries must be received no later than Wednesday 10th Feb.

Possible return of the Crystal Maze to TV

Rumours been circulating over the last few weeks of the Crystal Maze returning to TV! This time it will feature on ITV with Amanda Holden taking over the reins from Richard O'Brien of Rocky Horror Show fame. Rather than members of the public the new show will apparently feature celebrity contestants.

This hasn't been confirmed yet but once we know more we'll let you all know.... of course there's only one place where everyone can have a go in the maze and dome!

Here are our staff celebrating the news - can we have some wine with our CHEESE ;)

Oakwood = FUN, Snow = FUN

Given that Oakwood is all about having fun, it's unsurprising to see the staff making sure they enjoy the snow!

Apparently a sledge from The Waterfall ride makes an excellent snow sledge. Well ... after working hard outside in freezing conditions they need to find some way to warm up!!!!!

























Ummm - you appear to be heading towards a tree!




Boys will be boys!





Steering not got any better then?