KB27

We've been to many play areas over the last few years, including The Pirate Ship, Tots to Tens, Space Funzone, Camelot Castle and even years back Charlie Chalks/Brewsters. Alphabet Zoo more than held it's own the last few months we've been going, it became our place of choice mainly due to the enthusiasm of the owners and majority of staff. It was watching another child's party there that sold a party to us - one of the owners (Dawn?) was excellent with the children.

I don't think he/she is going to say anymore on the public forum if they know anything. I would also be interested though...

Definitely true. Gutted, I had my daughter's party booked there in 3 weeks, lost £150. New owners did actually try very hard, and the place wasn't anywhere near as bad as some on here say. But I never went until they'd had the recent refurb.

OMG, just found this thread and thought I'd join in (and it's a BIG thread, LOL). I was a latecomer to CB, think I was on air around 92-97 (just the FM days). Based in Swallownest, but just from the names on here I remember Big Mac (Andy?), Megadrive (Mick), Fresh Princess (Sarah) Sheffield Blade (Lynn), Mother Eileen, Robocop (as well as most of the family, like Jackie "Minicab" and one or two others who's handles escape me right now)... Others I used to speak to include Movie maker (Paul), Bacon Buttie/Electric Lover (Donna), Nightfox (Paul), Diamond Eyes (Hayley), Pack of 3 (Andy), Black Suspender (erm, forgot!)... and on and on (in other words I can't remember many right now! Might have to add to this list later). And if anybody remembers me I was half of "the pugwash crew" - I was Master Bates and my old mate Seaman Staines now lives in Germany!

Couldn't agree more! We went to Gullivers at Warrington today, a bit of a way out, I know. We couldn't have picked a worse day weather wise, but it was still a very enjoyable day. Their grotto was fantastic (5 santas, no less!). £10.30 per person, £3.95 if under 90cm. As with Sundown, you can make a day of it too.

A year or two ago we went to Adventure Mountain (Ski Village). Kids got to play (wrapped up!) and the Santa there was excellent. He made a rhyme out of pretty much everything he said, which the kids loved. I think they just got a £1 selection box, but I guess that's pretty much what you'd expect nowadays. Edit: Today we're off to either Gullivers or Sundown adventure land - will let you all know what we thought

I got this email too. I don't even have a paypal account! Check the URL too - it's NOT paypal's address.

Eating alone, Princess? You're weird!!!!

Must admit I find it hard to believe that they couldn't identify who was driving the car at the time. Certainly sounds like a bit of a cover up job, no?

Don't like steak and kidney personally, but OMG - can't remember the last time I had a frey bentos pie (normally chicken+mushroom/veg). Certainly at least 12 months ago, I MUST rectify this ASAP.

Don't know about free, but places like The Pirate Ship, Funzone (Hillsborough) etc are a godsend to our family. Kids can play safely, you can relax a little. Not generally too expensive either.

Must admit I'm generally quite sceptical of these things, but there's certainly been some responses in here which have made me think! I lost my Mum last December. My Dad has kept her ashes until a year later, when we buried them. I have a daughter who is 22 months old, and therefore was 10 months old when my Mum died. On the way up to my Dad's on the day we were to bury my Mum's ashes my daughter suddenly looked up and said "gate open". The only gate she would normally notice being open is the safety gate in the house, so I didn't think much of it. However, a few minutes later she pointed in the same direction she had been looking and said "nanan back". Very odd - she wouldn't really have been old enough to remember my Mum, and hadn't seen her other nan for almost 2 weeks.

Got to ask, how old is he? As has been pointed out above you really do get swarmed, and my 4 year old son did find it a tad scary.