Hidden Horsham - Giant Ferris Wheel, 2008 update

Ferris Wheel

Between the 19^th and 30^th of June 2007 Horsham hosted a 90' Ferris wheel for the first time. It was parked outside Sussex Stationers and King & Chasemore but visible from a great distance. The second visit was timed to co-incide with the schools' Easter Break; 7^th - 19^th April 2008.

The structure is transported on two lorries, the trailer of one transforming into the base of the wheel. It takes about 12 hours to erect and about 15 hours to take down again. The six tonne structure can operate in wind speeds of up to 120 mph although the current owner will only run it in winds less than 60 mph

The wheel was imported from Italy two years ago when it was one year old. Each of the 20 gondalas has glass walls and ceiling enabling it to operate in the rain. The cost of the rise was just £2.50 for adults with under 12s paying £2.00 - prices held from 2007. Whilst not being as slow as the London Eye the wheel was designed to allow you to get views over the rooftops of Horsham in the style of an observation wheel. Unfortunately the weather was poor throughout the ten days in 2007 so it was not possible to get distant views. For Hidden Horsham's 2008 visit the visibility was no better

2007 pictures
View over the Crown and beyond	Ferris Wheel detail
towering over Boots and King & Chasemore	Central Carfax rooftops

The Ferris Wheel is operated to a high safety standard, supported by the owner and carefully laid down in British & European law. The ride is thoroughly checked every year for electrics, welding and corrosion. Without this certification the ride will not be authorised for use. Even before its first use in the UK the ride had to undergo a £10,000 design review to check its compliance with our regulations

The ride will operate for about three days on a tank of fuel, the cost of which has risen from £75 at the beginning of 2007 to £135 in April 2008. Extensive use of the lights reduces the life of the fuel tank

2008 stripdown pictures
The Ferris wheel with the 20 gondolas removed.	Ferris Wheel supplier's logo: Technical Park
3/4 of the wheel dismantled and lowered on the trailer	One of the two tractor units

The owner is currently considering whether to invest in the 60m version of the wheel although this could not fit in the footprint available in the Carfax

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