The Lightning Skid, a long-forgotten vintage fairground ride, returns to North East England this December for the first time since the late 1960s.
A traditional flat-ride, Lightning Skid spins and swings riders in classic cars on a rotating motorised platform controlled by foot pedals.
Lightning Skid has been commissioned by Baccanalia and Bridge Creative, co-producers of Bishop Auckland’s Christmas Town celebrations, which run from December 4 to 7.
Thomas Wales, managing director of Baccanalia, said: “When we started planning this year’s Bishop Auckland’s Christmas Town, the team wanted to bring something different that would excite people and help make the celebrations our biggest and best yet.
Thanks to our partners at Carnival Funfairs, we’re delighted to bring back the thrills and spills of vintage fairgrounds by welcoming Lightning Skid back to our region after more than half a century away.
It was a regular sight at Shildon Scouts Field and Jubilee Park, Spennymoor. This time, it’ll be located in Bishop Auckland marketplace alongside other Christmas Town favourites like the Ferris Wheel, shuggy boats, ice rink and Santa’s Grotto.”
Skids, or swirls as they are sometimes called, originated in Germany in the 1920s.
They were a family favourite at British travelling fairs for the next four decades before losing popularity when hydraulic fairground rides were exported from the USA in the late 1960s.
This Lightning Skid was commissioned, from new, by Charles Thurston in 1947 and built by renowned ride manufacturer Lakins.
It was acquired by prominent British travelling show family Whyatts Amusements, before passing to Harris’ Amusements and later Carters Steam Fair. The ride was then purchased by a private collector and placed in storage for several years.
It’s now owned and operated by Shildon-based Carnival Fun Fairs and makes its return to the North East at Bishop Auckland’s Christmas Town.
Paul Evans, managing director of Carnival Fun Fairs, said: “Lightning Skid is 18 metres in diameter and takes several days to build and set up. Historically, it’s a true family favourite and we think visitors to Bishop Auckland Christmas Town will love it.”
The ride is included in Bishop Auckland Christmas Town’s Golden Pass, which provides unlimited access to all ticketed attractions, and rides, at the free-to-enter event.
Ben Tinkler, managing director of Bridge Creative and co-producer, said: “Christmas Town is one of those events that appeals to all generations in families and is full of tradition and nostalgia. Grandparents may remember riding a Skid in their childhood and for many others it’ll be their first time, a truly novel experience, and a chance to experience vintage fairground fun.”
Bishop Auckland’s town centre is again being transformed into a festive wonderland for four days, with traders, food stalls, wandering performers, rides and attractions.
This year’s event is the fifth staging of Bishop Auckland’s Christmas Town. In 2024, 32,000 visitors attended, and organisers expect the event to continue to grow in popularity.
Bishop Auckland’s Christmas Town has been funded and supported by its principal partner Bishop Auckland Town Council, since it was established in 2021.
For more, visit: https://bishopaucklandschristmastown.co.uk/
Bishop Auckland's local community newspaper.
