Folly Farm Adventure Park and Zoo, near Tenby, today officially opened its new ride The Pembrokeshire Wheel, the largest permanent ride of its kind in Wales. The Pembrokeshire Wheel, a half a million pound investment, stands at 25 metres/82 feet and to date has already carried over 50,000 passengers. The proceeds from today’s launch day will go to former Wales flanker Richard Parks’ 737 Challenge for Marie Curie Cancer Care and Wales players Huw Bennett, Paul James and Aled Brew were in attendance to represent the charity challenge.
Approximately one third of visitors to Folly Farm are taking to the skies to enjoy the unparalleled views of the Pembrokeshire countryside and coastal landmarks. With 18 carriages each accommodating six people and no height restrictions for children when accompanied by an adult, The Pembrokeshire Wheel is a new ride for the whole family. A special rectangular carriage has also been added to allow access for wheelchair-users.
Chris Ebsworth, Managing Director of Folly Farm, enthused; “In these testing economic times it’s vital as a tourist operation that we continue to invest to keep the attraction fresh for our loyal return visitors and The Pembrokeshire Wheel is already proving to be another good investment.
“We’ve stayed true to our market by listening to what our customers want and introduced a ride suitable for the whole family from babies to grandparents!”
Minister for Business, Enterprise, Technology and Science, Edwina Hart, performed the ceremonial cutting of the ribbon to officially open the ride, she said; “I’m delighted to visit Folly Farm to see the importance that the owners place on continually investing in their product to make sure that they meet customer demand. I wish them every success for a busy summer season.”
Councillor David Pugh, Chairman of Pembrokeshire County Council who officially opened the ride with Mrs Hart, added; “The Pembrokeshire Wheel is another landmark addition to Folly Farm and Pembrokeshire’s fabulous tourism offering.”
Richard Parks, former Wales Flanker sent this message from his base camp at Everest; “I am thrilled that the donations raised at today’s launch of The Pembrokeshire Wheel are for the 737 Challenge which is raising funds in aid of Marie Curie Cancer Care. I hope everyone has an awesome day and enjoys the ride, I’ll be there to have a go myself when I finish my challenge!”.
Lillian Lowe, of Tenby and oldest user of Facebook fame, looked a young 104 as she took to the skies representing four generations of her family; “I’ve been very excited about my visit to Folly Farm to ride the Big Wheel with my grandson, great grandaughter and great, great-grandaughter Jessica. I can definitely confirm I “Like” this new ride!”
Robert Rhodes on holiday from Derby, added; “Every time we come back to Folly Farm there is something new and The Pembrokeshire Wheel is a fantastic new addition. It’s great the whole family can ride together in one carriage as it saves arguments about who’s going with who!”
In order to attract the whole family on board the cost to ride The Pembrokeshire Wheel has been kept deliberately low at just one funfair token/50 pence per person.
