Latest news with #Ingoldmells
The Sun
a day ago
- The Sun
Popular beachfront theme park forced to close twice a week
A SEASIDE town theme park has revealed they are being forced to close twice a week. Fantasy Island first opened in Ingoldmells near Skegness in 1995. 2 While the theme park is open every day during the summer season, they have confirmed this won't be the case for the rest of the year. Outside of summer, the theme park is now going to close on Mondays and Tuesdays. A spokesperson for Fantasy Island told local media: "Whilst our rides remain open every day during the summer, we have made the decision to restrict our opening outside of this peak period." The theme park cited increased wage costs as well as an increase in electricy prices. They added: "This, coupled with growing caution in consumer spending, makes it increasingly difficult to operate sustainably outside peak periods." This means the theme park will only be open from Wednesday to Sunday instead. According to the website, the new changes will affect the months of April, May, June and September. The park is only open for limited days in October and March, with the park closed from December to February. Many seaside towns only open many of their attractions on reduced hours outside of the peak season. Until then, the theme park is open seven days a week, which also includes " Europe 's biggest seven-day market" with 320 stalls. Inside the UK theme park that is free to visit with terrifying rollercoasters and the largest seven-day market in Europe It has a number of rollercoasters include The Odyssey, The Millennium and the smaller Rhombus Rocket. To cool off, there are water rides including a log flume and river rapids. You can even spend the night, with the Fantasy Island Holiday Park included wristbands and discounts for the theme park. Despite opening 30 years ago, the theme park went into administration back in 2014. It then reopened in 2021 after being bought out, and has remained open since then. Here are five other coastal theme parks in the UK. And here is a seaside theme park that is opening a new log flume ride this year. 2
BBC News
06-06-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Lincoln shopper feels 'held to ransom' by contactless payments
A shopper said he felt "held to ransom and bullied" by the "phenomenal" amount of businesses which only accept contactless Wicks, 62, from Ingoldmells, Lincolnshire, said he believed people should have more choice as to how they can Wicks said he was recently unable to use public toilets at Waterside Shopping Centre in Lincoln which have only accepted a 20p charge by contactless payments since Shopping Centre has been contacted for comment. Mr Wicks said he did not mind the fee, but said he felt "frustrated" by the lack of payment options and people should not be "held to ransom" by companies. "I don't see why people should be bullied into things they don't agree with.""We're meant to be inclusive and democratic in this country yet we've been stopped from using toilets because businesses have decided they want us all to be contactless," Mr Wicks said it was unfair the public had no say in the rise of contactless payments. "It's not been voted on. We haven't had a referendum have we?" In June 2021, Age UK published a report on how the decline of cash was affecting older people. It said there was a "critical importance of cash to older people in a world which is increasingly forcing all of us to use digital payment and banking services".The charity warned the government and industry needed to take action to protect access to cash to ensure "millions of older people and other citizens are not cut off from their money".A further report in May 2023 said: "No matter what advances in technology occur, there will always be people who depend on cash."It is imperative that it remains in circulation and as a payment method for retail customers." Mr Wicks said he contacted his bank and asked for the contactless option on his card to be disabled. "I won't have one, I don't want it and I don't see why anyone else should if they don't feel that way." Bill Draycott, from Lincoln, said he used contactless payments "very seldom".He said he was concerned scammers could access his money."I just prefer cash really," he said. However, Ben Whitfield-Heap, from Lincoln, said: "I don't think we need cash anymore." He said he often used contactless payment methods. Helen Lloyd, also from Lincoln, said she used contactless several times a day and had "never had a problem". According to UK Finance, contactless payments accounted for 76% of all debit card transactions made during March Richardson, deputy editor of Which? Money magazine, said contactless methods were secure and could be trusted."We've had over 10 years of mass contactless use with very little in the way of fraud," he said."Everyone thinks about fraudsters running off with our cards. Whilst that occurs, it's actually a very small amount of fraud."Listen to highlights from Lincolnshire on BBC Sounds, watch the latest episode of Look North or tell us about a story you think we should be covering here.
Daily Mail
27-05-2025
- General
- Daily Mail
Medic father, 60, who 'died a hero' after leaping into the sea to try to save two children was on holiday, devastated family reveal
A heroic medic father tragically lost his life after jumping into the sea in a desperate attempt to save two children who were in trouble in the water. Alexandru Melei, 60, died on May 25 while on holiday in the seaside town of Ingoldmells, near Skegness, after bravely leaping into the sea to try and rescue two twin girls who 'appeared to be in distress'. Emergency services, including an air ambulance, the coastguard and RNLI crews, rushed to the scene just after 4pm following reports that a man had entered the water close to the Promenade to help two struggling children. However, he sadly 'got into difficulty' himself and was pronounced dead shortly afterwards. Now, Alexandru's devastated family has paid tribute to him in a moving statement on a GoFundMe page, describing him as 'selfless, brave, devoted' and revealing that he died as he had lived – helping others. 'On May 25th, while on holiday, my father, Alexandru Melei, lost his life in a final act of unimaginable courage. He drowned while trying to save two twin sisters who were in danger,' the heartbreaking tribute reads. 'He didn't hesitate. He did what he had always done - as a medical assistant, as a father, as a man - he stepped forward to help, even at the cost of his own life. That was who he was: selfless, brave, devoted. He died a hero, but our hearts are shattered.' The family say Alexandru's wife – his lifelong partner – was with him during his final moments and is 'devastated and lost without him'. They are now raising funds to repatriate his body so that he can be 'laid to rest with dignity, surrounded by the love of his family and his homeland'. 'We are left with an unbearable void,' the tribute continues. 'From the depths of our grief, we thank you for your kindness, your messages, and your support. May God guide his soul and reward his sacrifice with eternal peace.' Lincolnshire Police confirmed the heartbreaking news in a statement, saying: 'A 60-year-old man has sadly died after entering the water to help two children who appeared to be in distress. 'The man reportedly entered the sea just after 4pm today (25 May) close to the Promenade in Ingoldmells, he got into difficulty and sadly died at the scene. Our thoughts are with the man's family and loved ones at this very sad time.' Lincolnshire Police have not confirmed the identities of the children involved and say the incident is still under investigation.
Daily Mail
27-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Inside the UK's ‘strangest' theme park – that's home to the biggest suspended looping roller coaster in the world
A lesser-known UK theme park is home to the world's tallest suspended looping coaster. Fantasy Island, located in Ingoldmells on Lincolnshire's coast, is one of the country's more unique theme parks. The quirky theme park has more than 30 rides but there's one that theme park junkies definitely won't want to miss. Fantasy Island's The Odyssey coaster is the world's tallest suspended looping coaster, standing at 167 feet/51 m high. The spine-tingling ride travels at 62mph and opened in 2002, the year of Queen Elizabeth II's Golden Jubilee. Prince Edward was one of the first people to ride The Odyssey. It has five inversions (where riders are turned upside down) including a corkscrew roll and a 124 feet/ 37 m high vertical loop. The Odyssey has a 4.6 rating out of five on Google Reviews with one rider describing it as 'unexpectedly good'. Another rider says: 'I loved it. When I first tried it, it was an amazing ride, probably better than The Smiler in Alton Towers.' The ride sits within Fantasy Island's 'Discovery' category which means it can only be ridden by those 1.1 m tall or above. Fantasy Island adds: 'Hold on tight as you soar through the sky at amazing heights, through a whirlwind of inversions at great speeds. 'The Jubilee Odyssey is a truly terrifying experience and is not a Skegness rollercoaster for the faint hearted.' But The Odyssey isn't Fantasy Island's only standout attraction. The theme park is home to Europe's largest seven day market with more than 320 stalls. Visitors can stop at Fantasy Foods for candy floss, then browse for wooden garden furniture or get a body piercing. The market also has a huge toy shop, face painting, handbag stalls and a baby boutique. On TikTok, @coastertog called it 'the strangest theme park in the UK', noting it's the only place you can go to 'ride the biggest SLC coaster in the world, and walk home with a wooden eagle, dog speaker and a three-piece outdoor furniture set'. A tourist said in a review on Google Reviews: 'The market and all the shops around Fantasy Island are brilliant. You'll find some bargains.' Another said: 'Great rides and a wonderful market makes this a good day out. We enjoyed the various food stalls and even had a cheeky tattoo to round off our visit.' A one day Discovery wristband which allows visitors to access all the park's rides costs £28.80 if purchased online. Visitors can also pay per ride if they get one of the park's iCards which can be topped up by Fantasy Island's cashiers. MailOnline Travel recently revealed where Europe's best theme parks are located - and exactly how much it will cost to visit them.
The Sun
27-05-2025
- The Sun
Man, 60, dies after ‘getting into difficulty' in water while rescuing two ‘distressed' children at popular UK beach
A 60-YEAR-OLD man has died while attempting to rescue two children from the water at a popular UK beach. The man reportedly entered the water near the Promenade in Ingoldmells, close to Skegness, at around 4pm on Sunday and later died at the scene. Emergency services were called to the beach, where rescue efforts were carried out. Lincolnshire Police released a statement on the incident, a spokesperson said: "A man has sadly died after entering the sea in Ingoldmells. "A 60-year-old man has sadly died after entering the water to help two children who appeared to be in distress. "The man reportedly entered the sea just after 4pm today (25 May) close to the Promenade in Ingoldmells, he got into difficulty and sadly died at the scene. Our thoughts are with the man's family and loved ones at this very sad time." It comes after a body was found on the shore of a popular beach just yards away from a holiday park. Passersby tragically found the body at North Beach in Great Yarmouth earlier today. Cops rushed to the beach after receiving concerned reports at around 6.30am. Two men came across the grim discovery close to the Haven Seashore Holiday Park and immediately contacted the authorities. One of the men told the BBC he was on a morning walk before seeing the body and dialling 999. Cops and paramedics attended the scene and Norfolk Constabulary said officers were working on the beach. A tent was put up near the shoreline where the body was found.
