Sentiment - a thought, view, or attitude, especially one based mainly on emotion instead of reason.

This has no place at Alton Towers in my opinion and the recent news that Corkscrew is to be removed from the park after 28 years of magnificent service just shows that park management don’t believe it has either.

It is indeed sad to think such an iconic structure is to leave the park after what seems an eternity - afterall, the ride has been standing on a lot longer than most park fans have been alive! I admire Alton Towers for the decision that must have been a tough one with the ride’s history and all that goes with it. But to stay on top of your game you have to move on and give the public new and improved rides or else you end up going backwards. You can never stand still in the theme park industry and you can’t let something like sentiment get in the way. We all have to say goodbye to things we cherish and love one day.

I can’t say I’m Corkscrew’s biggest fan in all honesty, I’m not too sentimental about it all really and the sheer state of it at the moment totally warrants its removal. The ride has become rough with age and fell down the pecking order as new thrill machines were introduced to the park. Corkscrew barely had a queue over 20 minutes on most days in recent seasons - a stark contrast compared to the 5 hour queues back in 1980.

The decision to remove it has hardly came as a shock to the system either. Rumours of the ride’s removal have been rife for well over a year now and following the closures of other iconic rides such as Black Hole and Swan Boats, you knew Alton Towers had it in the them to call it a day on such classic attractions should the day arrive.

I’m pleased that the park are holding a special event to see the old girl off though, it’s only fitting to allow people to say thanks to ride that has given so many people, over 45 million infact, some fantastic memories over the years but it’s time for it to vacate the park and allow a new ride to take its place. People will find it difficult and slightly odd to visit Alton Towers without Corkscew standing strong as per usual but I’m sure Alton Towers have something up their sleeve that will leave us standing in awe and thus making Corkscrew’s removal all the more important. However, it would be nice to see Alton Towers implement the two corkscew inversions somewhere in the resort - perhaps just as theming near the entrance or even over Rita’s launchway?

I certainly won’t miss Corkscrew because in all fairness it really isn’t an all exciting ride, but I will certainly miss the whining of the lift chain motor as I walk across the valley gardens.

So thanks for your service old girl, but it’s time for you to go up to the theme park in the sky.