Latest news with #endofanera
CTV News
10-07-2025
- Entertainment
- CTV News
‘End of an era' for PEI family goes viral
A PEI family shares a heartwarming video on social media depicting 'the end of an era' for their young son.
Daily Mail
10-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Amusement park dating back 100 years to shut down with owners describing it as the 'end of an era'
An amusement park dating back 100 years is set to shut down with owners describing the closure as the 'end of an era'. The rides at Coney Beach Amusement Park will run for the final time in October after first thrilling visitors in 1918. The funfair offers a range of attractions, including dodgems, go karts and water slides, as well as a terrifying ghost train. Its owners, the Evans family, announced the sad news of the iconic venue's closure on Facebook this week. Confirming that this season will be its last, the family said it was 'forever grateful' to have been part of the lives of generations of families both young and old. It said: 'It's the end of an era, for over 100 years we and other showmen and their families have lived and worked in Porthcawl helping to make it a busy seaside destination. 'We will miss it greatly and while we are sad to see our time here come to an end we are forever grateful to have had the opportunity to have been part of so many generations of families lives, young and old. 'Thank you for sharing our love of "all the fun of the fair" and the legacy that Coney Beach leaves.' The park is thought to have been built to entertain American troops returning from the First World War, taking its name from the slightly larger New York pleasure park on Coney Island. The Welsh Government has purchased parcels of land in the seafront area for a mixed-use redevelopment. The project is expected to feature a new housing estate, retail business facilities, a new primary school, and a number of recreational and leisure opportunities. The announcement comes after Welsh ministers confirmed they had secured the ownership of sections of land based on a 20-hectare site at the heart of the area for Bridgend Council's regeneration in Porthcawl. It comes after Oakwood Theme Park, the largest in Wales, closed with immediate effect in March. The site, in Pembrokeshire, west Wales, confirmed it would shut after nearly 40 years. Aspro Parks, the owner and operator of Oakwood Theme Park, said it reached the 'difficult decision' due to financial challenges caused by rising costs and declining visitor numbers. The firm said it has invested more than £25million since the park was saved from closure in 2008. Oakwood made headlines in April 2004 when a 16-year-old girl was killed after falling around 100ft from the top of the Hydro ride. A 10-year-old boy was also injured. But a coroner ruled out unlawful killing in the inquest into 16-year-old Hayley Williams' death and gave a narrative verdict. In 2008, Oakwood Leisure was fined £250,000 and ordered to pay £80,000 costs because of the tragedy when it was revealed that basic safety procedures were widely ignored by staff overseeing the ride. Announcing the closure, a spokesperson for Aspro Parks Group, which operates dozens of other attractions including Blue Planet Aquarium in Cheshire, said: 'In the entire history of Aspro we have never closed any park or attraction. 'We, and our dedicated team of staff has strived to overcome numerous challenges to continue to bring joy to families and visitors across the region and country. 'Unfortunately, we could no longer see a sustainable way forward and will seek to improve our other parks using the assets and where possible team elsewhere. 'We are aware that Oakwood has been a much-loved destination for generations and a rite of passage for many young visitors. It is for this reason we feel such a sense of sadness. 'We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to the dedication and commitment of our team members past and present, suppliers and contractors who have loyally supported us and of course all those that have visited Oakwood Theme Park over the years. We are sincerely grateful.'
BBC News
10-07-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
A look back at Coney Island Amusement Park, Porthcawl, through the years
It's the end of an era for a seaside attraction which has been in south Wales for more than 100 Beach Amusement Park, which opened in the Newton area of Porthcawl, Bridgend county, in 1918, will close in a social media post, its owners said: "It's the end of an era, for over 100 years we and other showmen and their families have lived and worked in Porthcawl, helping to make it a busy seaside destination."It follows a consultation in February on plans by Bridgend council and the Welsh government to redevelop the waterfront with up to 1,100 new homes, shops and restaurants, and the extension of boardwalks and green spaces.
The Sun
10-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Kay Burley shares snap with rarely seen son Wolfie as they move out of family home after her exit from Sky News
PROUD mum Kay Burley today shared a snap of her rarely seen son Wolfie as they moved out of the family home, following her exit from Sky News. The broadcaster's hosted her final programme in February, and is now marking another new chapter in her life. 7 7 7 After adjusting to life in retirement, Kay, 64, has now taken the plunge and is moving out of the family home. To celebrate an "end of an era" the former journalist posted a slew of pics of her with her son Wolfie, 32. Kay shares her only child - who's real name is Alexander - with her ex-husband, Steve Kutner. Captioning the heartwarming snaps, she wrote: "End of an era. Moving day from Harrow on the Hill. "I have spent half my life in this street and my son @wolfiekutner has spent his whole life here. "He went to school a stone's throw away from the front door and we often had a house full of his schoolmates playing cricket in the garden. I\" spent most of my working life at Sky based in this street. I remember being woken by my head of news and driving up the road in the dark on 31st August, 1997 not knowing what the day would bring - it was the morning Diana died. "We will leave many memories behind. LEAVING SKY NEWS Kay announced she was leaving Sky News on her final show in February. Addressing viewers at the end of the show, she said: "From a standing start to one of the most recognised and valued brands in global news, it's been an honour and privilege to work with some of the best and hardest working teams in the business. Sky News in major hosting shake up as multiple stars are replaced while another is forced to present alone "News by its very nature is often devastating and together we've covered so many life-changing events - from the tragic death of Diana, the shocking terror attack of 9/11; the Asian Tsunami; the Concorde air disaster. "But we've also enjoyed some wonderful high notes too, haven't we - the thrill of London winning the chance to host the 2012 Olympics; a plethora of royal weddings; jubilees and who can forget days and days and DAYS waiting for royal babies to arrive at the Lindo Wing. "But after over a million minutes of live TV news - more than anyone else in the world - its time for me to indulge in some of my other passions - including my love for travel. "So, after covering 12 separate general elections - including Sir Keir Starmer 's victory last year - I am retiring from Sky News - let politicians of every party just rejoice at that news! 7 7 "Thank you for waking up and tuning in every morning. I can't tell you how much I have appreciated your support over the last three and a half decades: You're awesome. "I will post more on my social media and hope to see you around. Please keep in touch." CAREER IN THE SPOTLIGHT Before leaving in February, Kay had hosted the 24-hour rolling news channel's breakfast programme for the last five years, moving from her afternoon slot in 2019. She first joined Sky when it launched in 1988 and claims to have hosted more live television than any other broadcaster. 7 Kay soon became the face of Sky News for major world events, such as the death of Princess Diana, the births of the Royal babies and the 9/11 terrorist attacks. Sky bosses took Kay off air for six months in 2020 after her birthday bash flouted Coronavirus lockdown rules at the time with the anchor apologising for the "error of judgement". As well as hosting live TV, Burley published her debut novel, First Ladies in 2011, which was followed by her second book Betrayal in 2012. The anchor's career first started in BBC local radio and Tyne Tees Television. She then joined ITV 's TV-am in 1985 as a reporter and occasional newsreader. Anne Diamond during their maternity leave.
