Weston super Mare, Somerset - beach, unusual donkey rides - Plastichrome 1968

Postcard
• Picture / Image:  Beach & Promanade from the Grand Pier, Weston-super-Mare, Somerset - shows busy beach with 2 unusual donkey rides with fire engine & helicopter in tow
• Publisher:  AJ Howard (Plastichome, USA)
• Postally used:  yes
• Stamp:  3d purple pre-decimal Machin
• Postmark(s):  faint Weston super Mare slogan postmark 4 June 1968
• Sent to:  Victor Crescent, Sandiacre, Notts.
• Notes / condition: 

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Text from the free encyclopedia WIKIPEDIA may appear below to give a little background information (internal links may not  work) :

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Weston-super-Mare (/'w?st?n ?su?p?r 'm??r/) is a seaside resort, town and civil parish in the unitary authority of North Somerset, which is within the ceremonial county of Somerset, England. It is located on the Bristol Channel coast, 18 miles (29 km) south west of Bristol, spanning the coast between the bounding high ground of Worlebury Hill and Bleadon Hill. It includes the suburbs of Oldmixon, West Wick and Worle. Its population according to the 2001 census was 71,758.^[1] Since 1983, Weston has been twinned with Hildesheim, Germany.^[2][3]

Although there is evidence in the local area of occupation since the Iron Age, it was still a small village until the 19th century when it became a seaside resort, and was connected with local towns and cities by a railway, and two piers were built. The growth continued until the second half of the 20th century, when tourism declined and some local industries closed. During the 21st century a regeneration programme is being undertaken. Attractions include the Helicopter Museum, Weston-super-Mare Museum, a pier and an aquarium. The Paddle Steamer Waverley and MV Balmoral offer day sea trips from Knightstone Island to various destinations along the Bristol Channel and Severn Estuary. Cultural venues include The Playhouse, The Winter Gardens, and The Blakehay Theatre & Community Arts Centre.

Owing to the large tidal range in the Bristol Channel, the low tide mark in Weston Bay is about a mile from the seafront. Although the beach itself is sandy, low tide uncovers areas of thick mud, hence the colloquial name, Weston-super-Mud.^[4][5][6] These mudflats are very dangerous to walk in and are crossed by the mouth of the River Axe. Just to the north of the town is Sand Point which marks the lower limit of the Severn Estuary and the start of the Bristol Channel. It is also the site of the Middle Hope biological and geological Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). In the centre of the town is Ellenborough Park, another SSSI due to the range of plant species found there.

...

Weston-super-Mare is still a popular tourist destination, with attractions such as the long sandy beach, the Helicopter Museum,^[60] Weston-super-Mare Museum, the Grand Pier, the SeaQuarium aquarium and the seasonal Wheel of Weston.^[61] In 2009 a survey by Visit England placed the pier at Weston amongst the top ten free attractions in the country.^[62] On the Beach Lawns was a miniature railway operated by steam and diesel locomotives, which closed in 2012.^[63] The Paddle Steamer Waverley and MV Balmoral offer day trips from Knightstone Island to various destinations along the Bristol Channel and Severn estuary.^[64]

The Art Deco Tropicana, once a very popular lido on the beach, has suffered years of neglect. It closed to the public in 2000, and despite a number of attempts to reopen it, its future lies in the balance.^[65]

'International HeliDays', in association with the Helicopter Museum, are staged at the beach lawns over a long weekend around the end of July, when up to 75 helicopters from Europe fly in for a static display. There are frequent Helicopter Air Experience flights from the Museum heliport. There is also an annual display by the Red Arrows.^[66]

Since the 1970s the number of visitors staying in the town has decreased.^[67] In 1995 there were 4 million visitors but by 2005 this had risen to 5.3 million.^[68] In 2007 69% of visitors to the resort were day visitors, compared to 58% in 2005.^[69] The 2005 survey showed that day visitors stay in Weston-super-Mare for an average of six hours whilst overnight visitors stay for an average of five nights. The largest percentage of visitors (22%) were from the West Midlands. Weston was found to attract two distinct groups: ""grey tourists"" over the age of 60 and families with young children.^[68]

Weston Bike Nights are motorcycle meetings on the Promenade each Thursday during the summer. They are organised by The Royal British Legion Riders Branch to raise money for the Poppy Appeal.^[70]

In July 2011, North Somerset Council gave planning approval to the £50 million Leisure Dome,^[71] a 210-metre (690 ft) indoor ski slope to be built on the site of RAF Locking. The site, which had not commenced construction as of August 2012^[update],^[72] is planned to include a 40-metre (130 ft) climbing wall, a vertical wind tunnel for indoor skydiving, indoor surfing, a BMX track, a health and fitness club, and a number of shops and restaurants. The ski slope will be the longest in the United Kingdom.

type=printed postcards

theme=topographical: british

sub-theme=england

county/ country=somerset

number of items=single

period=1945 - present

postage condition=posted