The Dreamland Trust has been set up to actively pursue the implementation of a 21st-Century tourist attraction at Dreamland, based around the listed Scenic Railway and Cinema building. Our proposals for the world's first amusement park of historic rides that will authentically recreate a thrilling seaside amusement park from the past, are now progressing with the support of major stakeholders in the town. These include Thanet District Council, Kent County Council, English Heritage and others.
Nick Laister, Chairman
Nick founded the Save Dreamland Campaign and was instrumental in securing listed building status for the Scenic Railway. Nick is a Chartered Town Planner and Director at the UK’s largest planning consultancy. He works extensively within the visitor attractions industry, advising several UK and international theme park operators on planning and development matters. He has written articles for a number of newspapers and journals and regularly speaks at conferences on the subject of planning for tourism and leisure.
Sarah Vickery, Director
Owner and operator of the Grade-I listed Shell Grotto, one of Margate’s most popular tourist attractions, Sarah joined the Save Dreamland Campaign at the beginning as Local Campaign Coordinator. A former journalist on national newspapers and magazines, she has a wealth of knowledge about the tourism industry on the Isle of Thanet, and is on the Board of Margate arts group Limbo.
Susan Marsh MBE, Honorary Secretary
Susan became actively involved in the Save Dreamland Campaign in 2003 and undertook the advocacy for the Local Plan Public Inquiry. Susan brings knowledge of community involvement in planning matters, equality and diversity, community associations and education.
Mandy Wilkins, Archive
Mandy was the co-founder of the iconic 1960s shoe company, The Chelsea Cobbler and ran the niche heritage houseware company, The Edwardian Company. Mandy took her interest in heritage further and obtained a BA in History and is now overseeing the Dreamland Archive Project.
Neil Sparkes, Youth Cults
Musician, composer and producer Neil Sparkes was instrumental in developing the youth culture strand for the Dreamland project.
Andrew Cannon, Treasurer
Andrew is a director and joint owner of Chartered Certified Accountants, Spurling Cannon. He has played an active role in the local community with voluntary work and fund raising for local causes.
Andrew Baker, Director
Andrew is a partner in Boys and Maughan Solicitors and a Director of the Thanet and East Kent Chamber of Commerce.
Richard Gray, Director
Formerly an Inspector of Historic Buildings for English Heritage, Richard writes and lectures on historic architecture specialising in the architectural history of theatres and cinemas.
Roger Joyce, Director
Qualified architect and principal of Roger Joyce Associates, Roger is a member of the Executive Committee of the Kent Building Preservation Trust.
