If you visit the following link, http://www.hse.gov.uk/entertainment/pdf/revrep.pdf, you will see an in depth report written by the experts at the Health and Safety executive, they are charged with inspecting and ensuring the whole industry is operated as safely as possible. The report contains a lot of detailed formulas and such like and makes for quite heavy reading, but 3 facts stand out clearly.
1 A pessimistic estimate (H&SE description) of the chances of being killed or seriously injured on a funfair ride is 1 in 83 million.
2 You are 12 times more likely to be killed or seriously injured on your way to the fair, than you are once you arrive there.
3 Statistically there is a greater chance of being struck by lightning than there is of being killed on a fairground ride.
These aren't facts that have been cooked up to present the industry in a good light, they are the official figures given by a government department.
It might help to explain the process behind the scenes of a typical fairground ride in the United Kingdom. Any new ride has to be given a design review, this is akin to the type approval system operated by car manufacturers, every part of the finished design must be checked against the original engineering drawings, structural components, electrics, materials must all match the specification laid down by the design engineers. Once this design review is complete, an initial test is caried out, the ride is checked by an independant engineer who will check the ride operates correctly, the safety systems operate as they should, the electrics have the required earths and circuit breakers fitted and so on. If the ride fails this it is given an immediate stop order and cannot operate until it has been brought up to standard and re tested.
This initial test is carried out on an annual basis, with a safety certificate being granted for a 12 month period everytime it passes. These annual inspection will include non destructive crack testing to catch indications of metal fatigue, as well as a full electrical and mechanical safety check. Once the annual certificate is granted, it doesnt stop there, each ride has a daily check book attached to it, there is a rigorous inspection list that must be checked every day before the ride is operated, with any repairs or points of concern being listed in the book along with remedial action taken by the operator. This results in an audit trail being present for every item of equipment.
All of these procedures are overseen by the industry trade body, The Showmen's Guild of Great Britain. They require proof of these safety certificates along with public liability insurance before any member is allowed to operate at a funfair in the U.K. There are a very small number of operators who do not belong to this organisation, but the vast majority of funfairs you visit will fall under their auspices. A few year ago following an accident with a funfair ride, the Showmen's Guild along with the Health and Safety executive cast doubt on the ability of a particular independant engineer, immediately the Showmen's Guild prevented any item of equipment being operated that had been inspected by this man, and they commenced a full re test of everything to ensure the safety of the public.
The only aspect of safety that the industry cannot control is the actions of members of the public. No matter how safe a ride is and how well it has been maintained, someone deciding to lark about not only places themselves, but those around them in danger. In an attempt to remedy this, operators are now trained to look out for members of the public misbehaving, or under the influence of drink or drugs, and if there is any doubt as to their conduct, they would be removed from the ride and in extreme cases from the fairground.
The Seven Beautifully Located Hotels In UK Location is one of the key factors that ensure the success of any hotel. This any entrepreneur who is building the hotel should be careful about the location. The Richardson hotels developer has kept in mind this important fact. The Richardson hotels are located in some of the beautiful places and it has made them popular. They are located in Devon, Lancashire, Cornwall and Cumbria. In Cornwall we have four hotels. Located in the popular towns of Padstow and Fowey are The Metropole (AA 4 star, 1 Rosette) and The Fowey (AA 4 star, 2 Rosettes) overlooking the Camel Estuary and the Fowey Estuary respectively. The Idle Rocks hotel (AA 3 star, 2 Rosettes) sits in the pretty village of St Mawes, perched on the edge of the harbour wall, getting you as close to the to the water as it is possible to be. The Falmouth (AA 3 star, 1 Rosette) in the port of Falmouth offers an endless sea view as well as a bonus magnificent view of historic Pendennis Castle. The water views from each hotel are different but equally tantalising and waiting to be experienced by all! Just across the border in Devon is the AA 4 star Grand Hotel, situated on Torquay's sea front in the heart of the English Riviera. Aside from a great location, the Grand offers excellent facilities with indoor and outdoor pools, gym, sun shower, Jacuzzi, tennis court and sauna. Not to be outdone is the Beech Hill hotel (AA 3 star, 2 Rosettes), which sits on the eastern bank of Lake Windermere - its vista of lake and mountains is so good it's mesmerising! We have dipped our toe on the land too, with Eaves Hall (AA 3 star), a delightful country house hotel set in 13 acres of landscaped gardens and countryside in the heart of Lancashire's Ribble Valley. This peaceful corner of England has a lot to offer and it's still a best kept secret!
The Grand Hotel, Torquay, Devon The AA 4 star Grand hotel is a beautiful Victorian building situated in a prime position on Torquay's sea front at the heart of the English Riviera. A fine example of Victorian Hotels in Devon. Inside it's a marvellous mix of period character from the Victorian and Art Deco eras and modern chic. It has 131 bedrooms, many of which overlook the majestic sweep of Torbay. The Gainsborough restaurant offers a varied a la carte menu of delicious dishes, catering to any size appetite. The Compass Caf? Bar has acres of comfortable seating, fantastic views over the bay and a delightful all day and evening menu that takes advantage of the hotel's in-house bakery. The Caf? Bar's terrace is one of the best spots in Torquay for a sundowner or something to eat. The hotel has an excellent range of leisure facilities that include: indoor and outdoor pools, Jacuzzi, Gym, sun shower and outdoor tennis court. From The Grand it's a short stroll into Torquay's centre and harbour area following the sweep of the bay. There you'll find plenty to do with shops, cafes, Torquay's Living Coasts, theatre and even a Victorian shopping area - no chance of being bored here! The hotel also has easy access to the beauty of Cockington village and Country Park and of course, the neighbouring resorts of Paignton and Brixham are just down the road. Beech Hill Hotel, Windermere, Cumbria Some hotels are fortunate in being situated in the most perfect of natural locations and The Beech Hill hotel is one of them. As you enter its doors you are confronted with a floor to ceiling, end to end panoramic vista of Lake Windermere, with the mountain of Coniston Old Man framed bang in the centre of it. Everything else is immediately forgotten! This charming hotel has 58 bedrooms and 52 of them offer views of the lake. It also has one of the most luxurious suites in the Northwest in The Wordsworth that boasts, amongst other luxuries, its own outdoor hot tub and private access to the hotel's indoor swimming pool. The Beech Hill has held 2 AA Rosettes for good food for over 8 years and eating here is an unforgettable experience. Choose from the Simple Taste menu or the Gourmet menu - whichever you opt for you are in for a culinary treat! The Griffin Bar also offers tea, coffee, light lunches and meals. The hotel has an indoor pool and a large terraced garden that leads down to a private beach and jetty. It also has a generous parking area. The lounge area, with those mesmerising views, is full of comfortable seating that you can just sink into and drink in the vista before you. If you can muster the will to leave the hotel you'll find there's plenty to do. Bowness-on-Windermere, the heartbeat of the area, is just down the road. William Wordsworth, Beatrix Potter, Holker Hall and Gardens, Lakeland Plastics kitchen delights, sticky toffee puddings from Cartmel, cycling, walking, fishing - whatever your interest or hobby, the team at the Beech Hill will do their utmost to point you in the right direction. One of the finest Hotels in Windermere The Metropole Hotel, Padstow Cornwall The Metropole hotel dominates the landscape in the popular resort of Padstow, sitting on the brow of the gentle hill that leads into the town. This AA 4 star hotel has 58 bedrooms, many offering lovely views out over the Camel estuary and the harbour. It has an AA Rosette for good food and whilst seafood features on its menu (after all, Padstow is famous for it), there are dishes that feature more of the top quality, local produce that Cornwall is known for. The Met Caf? Bar offers a terrific menu for a less formal lunch or dinner. The hotel has an outdoor pool, open during July and August. It's worth noting that it also has more car parking space than most places in town! One of the finest hotels in Cornwall. From its situation it is but a short stroll into the vibrant town centre. Aside from all the harbour activity - Padstow is very much a working harbour - there is a wonderful selection of shops, galleries and pottering stops. The town is busy throughout the year, more so in summer when there is often entertainment on the quay front adding to the lively atmosphere. There are 7 beaches to choose from in the vicinity, including Rock on the other side of the estuary, accessible via foot ferry. The area is popular for water sports, walking and cycling as the Camel Trail section of the national cycle route leads from Padstow to Wadebridge. Some "must see" highlights easily accessible from Padstow include Bedruthan Steps, Lanhydrock House, Prideaux Place, Bodmin Moor and of course the spectacular cliff top walks around St Agnes.
The Idle Rocks Hotel, St Mawes, Cornwall The Idle Rocks occupies one of the prettiest and most desirable spots in Cornwall. It sits perched on the edge of the harbour wall in the quaint fishing village of St Mawes, on the tip of the Roseland Peninsular, an AONB. (Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty). From its spacious terrace one can sit for hours watching the hustle and bustle on the harbour and quay front. An outstanding location for any Hotels in Cornwall. The hotel has 27 bedrooms and many offer fantastic water views - in fact, some are so close to the water that you can almost imagine you are floating in it! The Idle Rocks has a fabulous reputation for its 2 AA Rosette Water's Edge restaurant, a venue that offers culinary delights that easily rival the wonderful water views enjoyed from every table. It's a friendly, warm and hospitable little hotel that is every bit as charming as it looks. The Fowey Hotel, Fowey, Cornwall The AA 4 star Fowey hotel sits majestically above the Fowey estuary, offering wonderful views out over the water to the opposite village of Polruan and to sea. It is set in lovely landscaped gardens, one of which is open for Tea in the summer months. The hotel has 37 bedrooms and many provide those fabulous water views that confront you in every public area of the hotel. The hotel has held 2 AA Rosettes for excellent food for nearly a decade so dinner at The Fowey is always an occasion to look forward to. The hotel also has a comprehensive Bar menu for lighter meals, prepared with equal care and attention. From the hotel it is only a short stroll into the town of Fowey, with its irresistible collection of narrow streets, lanes, shops, galleries, eateries and its bustling harbour. In the opposite direction is some wonderful coastal walking and the hotel is only 15 minutes drive from the renowned Eden Project. Most of Cornwall's key attractions and sites are within easy driving distance of the hotel so it serves as a good base for exploring the rest of the county. Voted one of the most elegant hotels in Cornwall.
The Falmouth Hotel, Falmouth, Cornwall The AA 3 star Falmouth hotel sits adjacent to Castle Beach (Blue Flag) in Falmouth with the glory of Pendennis Castle on the headland to its left and the bustle of town just a short walk away. Standing since the 1860's, this elegant chateau-style building, set in 5 acres of gardens, has 69 bedrooms, most offering wonderful sea, harbour or garden views. The hotel has an AA Rosette for good cuisine and its facilities include an indoor pool, gym, sauna, Jacuzzi, outdoor putting course and a snooker room. There is also a Beauty Centre on site offering a wide variety of treatments for women and men. The hotel is perfectly positioned not only to discover Falmouth and its surrounds, but also for exploring the far west of Cornwall and areas like the The Lizard, St Michael's Mount and Land's End, to name but a few. A unique example of Hotels in Cornwall.
The Eaves Hall Hotel, Clitheroe, Lancashire One of the UK's better kept secrets is Lancashire's Ribble Valley where you will find Eaves Hall, an elegant example of hotels in Lancashire nestled in 13 acres of landscaped formal gardens and
Both Jarm69 & Yvonne06 Scott06 are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Jarm69 has sinced written about articles on various topics from Personal Desktop, Wedding Reception and Travel and Leisure. The Author Jason Moody is a 5th generation showman, who specialises in supplying funfair rides and games for corporate events, weddings and parties.