Explorers: j3bu

Opening on the 28th May 1994 as “the tallest, fastest and steepest” roller coaster in the world it lost this title in 1996 however it remained the fastest roller coaster in Europe until 2001.

At a whopping 213ft (65 metres) high and a drop of 205 (62 metres) and of steel construction painted red (tracks) and blue (supports) it is an impressive sight to behold.

This explore, due to being in a theme park was a task to plan. Once inside I was spotted by pedestrians outside however I stayed completely still and they were convinced I was a plastic model!

Further Reading:

Wikipedia.org

Blackpool Pleasure Beach

Built in 1877 by Maria Holland it opened in 1879 it provided care for the sick and poor. During the first world war it provided care for the wounded soldiers. In 1958 tt later became a training centre for nurses. The hospital closed in the late 1980′s. Currently St. Joesph’s, a grade II listed building, originally an orphanage and later converted in parts to a hospital, is brimming with medical equipment and the electricity was still on. So it was cool to be in one of the operating rooms with the huge lights switch on (momentarily, don’t want to run up a bill for someone!)

Further Reading:

No further reading.

Explorers: j3bu

King Edward VII and Queen Mary School (KEQMS) is an HMC public school in Lytham St. Annes, originally the schools were separate, King Edwards for boys education and Queen marys for girls education. However in 1997 the schools were forced to merge due a parliamentary bill being scraped. The schooling now takes place in the King Edwards buildings and due to financial problems Queen Marys has been sold to developers who are creating flats within the school. Evidence of this was discovered inside.

The school’s motto is ‘Sublimis Ab Unda’, which is Latin for “raised from the waves”, in reference to the fact the school was funded by a flood disaster which took place in the town in 1719. In 1908, 189 years after the Foundation’s initial formation the school was finally built.

REVIST & UPDATE: 10/08/08

Most of the school has been stripped out. Access to the stage is no longer possible but the entrance hall has been converted into an office for selling the apartments.  Contained in the second album are some maps/plans and below is a 3D video of the developers plans for the site:

Further Reading:

Official Website

Constructed between 1972 & 1979 and then partially demolished when a bomb set off by the IRA caused havoc around the city centre in 1996 causing redevelopment to be taken underway. The Manchester Arndale is a building of great engineering an architectural interest. It is a shame that none of this industrial beauty can be viewed from the ground.

The roof is a sprawling area covered in PIR sensors it’s difficult to navigate but would be a haven for freerunners. It provides splendid views of the cathedral, the wheel and many other well known manchester landmarks.

Further Reading:

Official Website

Wikipedia.org