Difference between revisions of "Safari Park"
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| − | The '''West Midland Safari and Leisure Park''', often referred to as Bewdley Safari Park, opened in the spring of 1973 under its original name of the West Midland Safari Park. It attracted 700,000 people in 2018 and features a four-mile safari drive through. In January 2019 it was acquired by the Looping Group, a French amusement park operator, which intends to "develop the park into an even more exciting family destination".<ref>[https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-hereford-worcester-46813530 'West Midland Safari Park bought by French firm', BBC News, 9 January 2019] (Retrieved 13 January 2019)</ref> It is situated north of the SVR between [[Bewdley Tunnel]] and [[Bewdley]], and can be seen on the right when travelling towards Bewdley from [[Kidderminster]]. The curve in the line at that point has become known on the railway as 'Safari Park Curve'. | + | The '''West Midland Safari and Leisure Park''', often referred to as Bewdley Safari Park, opened in the spring of 1973 under its original name of the West Midland Safari Park. It attracted 700,000 people in 2018 and features a four-mile safari drive through. In January 2019 it was acquired by the Looping Group, a French amusement park operator, which intends to "develop the park into an even more exciting family destination".<ref>[https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-hereford-worcester-46813530 'West Midland Safari Park bought by French firm', BBC News, 9 January 2019] (Retrieved 13 January 2019)</ref> It is situated north of the SVR between [[Bewdley Tunnel]] and [[Bewdley]], and can be seen on the right when travelling towards Bewdley from [[Kidderminster]]. The curve in the line at that point has become known on the railway as "'''Safari Park Curve'''". |
Two areas of the park are visible from the railway. Travelling towards Bewdley, the first area is the 'African Plains', which most notably includes the Park’s white rhinos. The second area is 'Elephant Valley', home of the Park’s African elephants. | Two areas of the park are visible from the railway. Travelling towards Bewdley, the first area is the 'African Plains', which most notably includes the Park’s white rhinos. The second area is 'Elephant Valley', home of the Park’s African elephants. | ||
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*BBC News reported in 2011 that the SVR was "not against the idea" of a new station to join the Park with the railway<ref>[http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-hereford-worcester-13546830 BBC News] ''West Midlands Safari Park considers new railway station'' (Retrieved 26 November 2015)</ref>. | *BBC News reported in 2011 that the SVR was "not against the idea" of a new station to join the Park with the railway<ref>[http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-hereford-worcester-13546830 BBC News] ''West Midlands Safari Park considers new railway station'' (Retrieved 26 November 2015)</ref>. | ||
*The Express & Star reported in July 2014 that "Plans are also in the pipeline to link the safari park with the nearby Severn Valley Railway. A new stop would be introduced serving the park."<ref>[http://www.expressandstar.com/news/2014/07/05/west-midlands-safari-park-reveal-80-million-transformation-plans/ Express & Star] ''West Midlands Safari Park reveal £80 million transformation plans'' (Retrieved 27 November 2015)</ref> | *The Express & Star reported in July 2014 that "Plans are also in the pipeline to link the safari park with the nearby Severn Valley Railway. A new stop would be introduced serving the park."<ref>[http://www.expressandstar.com/news/2014/07/05/west-midlands-safari-park-reveal-80-million-transformation-plans/ Express & Star] ''West Midlands Safari Park reveal £80 million transformation plans'' (Retrieved 27 November 2015)</ref> | ||
| − | *The West Midlands Combined Authority's 2017 "West Midlands Rail Franchise Award" report says: <ref>[https://governance.wmca.org.uk/documents/s603/TDC%20Franchise%20Award%20Report%204%20September%202017%20Final%20v2.pdf "West Midlands Rail Franchise Award"] (retrieved 17 September 2017</ref> | + | *The West Midlands Combined Authority's 2017 "West Midlands Rail Franchise Award" report says: <ref>[https://governance.wmca.org.uk/documents/s603/TDC%20Franchise%20Award%20Report%204%20September%202017%20Final%20v2.pdf "West Midlands Rail Franchise Award"] (retrieved 17 September 2017)</ref> |
:"2.9 WMT will also be actively developing proposals for a number of new services within the WMR area including [...] New service to West Midlands Safari Park as an extension of Birmingham - Kidderminster services which will operate along the Severn Valley Railway | :"2.9 WMT will also be actively developing proposals for a number of new services within the WMR area including [...] New service to West Midlands Safari Park as an extension of Birmingham - Kidderminster services which will operate along the Severn Valley Railway | ||
:2.10 The delivery of these new services have not been explicitly contracted within the new franchise and are subject to feasibility studies being undertaken and support from WMCA/TfWM as required." | :2.10 The delivery of these new services have not been explicitly contracted within the new franchise and are subject to feasibility studies being undertaken and support from WMCA/TfWM as required." | ||
*Abellio, the new mainline franchisee, in 2017 published plans showing: | *Abellio, the new mainline franchisee, in 2017 published plans showing: | ||
:"December 2018 - We plan to extend Kidderminster terminators onto the Severn Valley Railway, subject to a new station being built at the West Midlands Safari Park." | :"December 2018 - We plan to extend Kidderminster terminators onto the Severn Valley Railway, subject to a new station being built at the West Midlands Safari Park." | ||
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| + | ==History of the area== | ||
| + | The OS Map of 1883 shows that the northern half of the area now occupied by the Safari Park was formerly the large estate of '''Spring Grove'''.<ref>[https://maps.nls.uk/view/101586016 OS Map Worcestershire XIV.NW, Published: 1883]</ref> Spring Grove House was built by local chemical manufacturer Samuel Skey between 1787 and 1790.<ref>[https://www.revolutionaryplayers.org.uk/the-wyre-forest/ RevolutionaryPlayers.org.uk] (retrieved 4 March 2021)</ref> The house was badly damaged by fire in 2006.<ref>[https://www.expressandstar.com/news/2006/12/26/blaze-wrecks-christmas-day/ Express and Star] (retrieved 4 March 2021)</ref> Skey's chemical works was situated on the west bank of the River Severn, about half a mile north of the current Bewdley bridge<ref>[https://wfhrg.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/ForestClearingFeb2016.pdf Wyre Forest Historical Research Group] (retrieved 4 March 2021)</ref> and the same distance south of [[Dowles Bridge]]. | ||
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| + | The same map shows the area south of Spring Grove to have been open heathland, much as it is today. | ||
==See also== | ==See also== | ||
Revision as of 13:07, 4 March 2021
The West Midland Safari and Leisure Park, often referred to as Bewdley Safari Park, opened in the spring of 1973 under its original name of the West Midland Safari Park. It attracted 700,000 people in 2018 and features a four-mile safari drive through. In January 2019 it was acquired by the Looping Group, a French amusement park operator, which intends to "develop the park into an even more exciting family destination".[1] It is situated north of the SVRSevern Valley Railway between Bewdley Tunnel and Bewdley, and can be seen on the right when travelling towards Bewdley from Kidderminster. The curve in the line at that point has become known on the railway as "Safari Park Curve".
Two areas of the park are visible from the railway. Travelling towards Bewdley, the first area is the 'African Plains', which most notably includes the Park’s white rhinos. The second area is 'Elephant Valley', home of the Park’s African elephants.
Early proposals for a connection with the SVRSevern Valley Railway
In late 1973 the SVRSevern Valley Railway received an approach from the proprietors of the Safari Park for co-operation with them at Bewdley.[2] The SVRSevern Valley Railway reached Bewdley in summer 1974, at which time SVRSevern Valley Railway News announced that "...the Station at Bewdley will shortly be available for the use of visitors to the West Midland Safari Park by means of a footbridge recovered from the former Burlish Halt, to be erected on the island platform.[3]. However by late 1975 the suggested project was in abeyance due to a lack of labour and finance[4].
Olympic Torch
On Thursday 24 May the Olympic Torch arrived on the SVRSevern Valley Railway. 7812 Erlestoke Manor carried the torch between Bewdley and Kidderminster, pausing for a photo opportunity with the two cow elephants, Five and Latabe.[5] A bull calf was born to Five in May 2014 and named Sutton.
Possible future station
- BBC News reported in 2011 that the SVRSevern Valley Railway was "not against the idea" of a new station to join the Park with the railway[6].
- The Express & Star reported in July 2014 that "Plans are also in the pipeline to link the safari park with the nearby Severn Valley Railway. A new stop would be introduced serving the park."[7]
- The West Midlands Combined Authority's 2017 "West Midlands Rail Franchise Award" report says: [8]
- "2.9 WMT will also be actively developing proposals for a number of new services within the WMR area including [...] New service to West Midlands Safari Park as an extension of Birmingham - Kidderminster services which will operate along the Severn Valley Railway
- 2.10 The delivery of these new services have not been explicitly contracted within the new franchise and are subject to feasibility studies being undertaken and support from WMCA/TfWM as required."
- Abellio, the new mainline franchisee, in 2017 published plans showing:
- "December 2018 - We plan to extend Kidderminster terminators onto the Severn Valley Railway, subject to a new station being built at the West Midlands Safari Park."
History of the area
The OSOrdnance Survey Map of 1883 shows that the northern half of the area now occupied by the Safari Park was formerly the large estate of Spring Grove.[9] Spring Grove House was built by local chemical manufacturer Samuel Skey between 1787 and 1790.[10] The house was badly damaged by fire in 2006.[11] Skey's chemical works was situated on the west bank of the River Severn, about half a mile north of the current Bewdley bridge[12] and the same distance south of Dowles Bridge.
The same map shows the area south of Spring Grove to have been open heathland, much as it is today.
See also
References
- ↑ 'West Midland Safari Park bought by French firm', BBC News, 9 January 2019 (Retrieved 13 January 2019)
- ↑ SVRSevern Valley Railway News 30, "THE PROSPECT FOR 1974", R. H. Dunn
- ↑ SVRSevern Valley Railway News 32, "THE RE-OPENING OF THE RAILWAY TO BEWDLEY, An article from the "Kidderminster Shuttle", R. H. Dunn
- ↑ SVRSevern Valley Railway News 38
- ↑ BBC News Flag-waving Elephants join Olympic torch relay (includes iPlayer clip)
- ↑ BBC News West Midlands Safari Park considers new railway station (Retrieved 26 November 2015)
- ↑ Express & Star West Midlands Safari Park reveal £80 million transformation plans (Retrieved 27 November 2015)
- ↑ "West Midlands Rail Franchise Award" (retrieved 17 September 2017)
- ↑ OS Map Worcestershire XIV.NW, Published: 1883
- ↑ RevolutionaryPlayers.org.uk (retrieved 4 March 2021)
- ↑ Express and Star (retrieved 4 March 2021)
- ↑ Wyre Forest Historical Research Group (retrieved 4 March 2021)
