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UPDATED: SNOW JOKE (From Thisisdorset)
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UPDATED: SNOW JOKE
8:30am Tuesday 2nd December 2008
LAPLAND New Forest bosses could be taken to court following an unprecedented level of complaints.
Trading standards officers have visited the site and are now considering the evidence they have gathered.
If any laws have been broken at the controversial attraction, Dorset County Council could prosecute or demand that the company makes changes to what is on offer.
They are studying their own photographs as well as those provided by disappointed customers to establish whether or not there have been breaches of consumer rights.
Dorset County Council’s divisional trading standards manager Ivan Hancock told the Daily Echo: “I’ve never known anything to spark so many complaints in 20 years working with three different authorities.
“In the South East region alone 1,300 people contacted us.
“I’ve heard of someone spending £3,000 on tickets and terrible stories of real human misery like a terminally ill grandparent taking all their grandchildren to the park.
“They were selling dreams on their website but the picture portrayed fell a long way short of the real experience.”
The RSPCA is also involved after receiving more than a dozen complaints about the alleged treatment of animals at the site.
And an employment agency has pulled staff out amid fears for their safety.
Farcical scenes at the weekend saw “elves” involved in scuffles with furious parents in a “gingerbread house” and Father Christmas punched in his grotto, according to angry customers who are now demanding their money back.
One parent complained her children even stumbled across “Santa” during a smoking break at the back of his grotto.
Hundreds of people had paid £30 each or £100 for a family of four.
But as the Daily Echo first revealed yesterday, many who braved the cold over the weekend were shocked to find the attraction did not live up to its billing and are hoping to get their money back.
The attraction was put on by Lapland New Forest Ltd, based in Brighton.
Some of the staff were provided by an agency, Richard Events, which has since advised its staff to leave.
Managing director Sue Holzher told the Daily Echo: “Our staff have been so good and they were getting tarred seriously by the complaints and we could not put their safety at risk. The girl that got slapped was an elf. Two elves in the gingerbread house were threatened.”
But speaking on Radio Solent, Mr Mears defended Lapland New Forest. He said: “I just think it’s beautiful. There were loads and loads of other people who really enjoyed it.”
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Your Say YourDorset
frying leper, says...
8:17am Tue 2 Dec 08
i cant believe i'm back.but they have warned me imust be respectful in future, i'm so happy to be back they say this site is crap without me
ps anyone know where the short legged ossie IDIOT has got to,perhaps hes the boscome santa using slymos dog for a reindeer
Jamaal, Townsend says...
8:56am Tue 2 Dec 08
WOt is dis eh??
ONE LOV YO!
ZombieJesus, says...
9:21am Tue 2 Dec 08
Adrian XX, Poole says...
9:40am Tue 2 Dec 08
ZombieJesus wrote:Ha ha - well said ZombieJesus.
£3,000?? What kind of cretin spends three thousand pounds on any theme park, let alone a glorified funfair? Come round my house, I'll spray white paint on the grass and cook you some sausages, and you'll only have to pay £1,000.
£3000 would buy a holiday for about 15 in the real Lapland. I guess the aforementioned cretin would be unaware of its existence.
poolebabe, poole says...
9:41am Tue 2 Dec 08
I am not normally someone who laughs at people's mis-fortunes, but I couldn't help but almost wet myself laughing at fighting elves and an assualted smoking Santa. :D You couldn't make it up!!
grumps999, Kinson says...
9:43am Tue 2 Dec 08
amused, poole says...
9:49am Tue 2 Dec 08
cmitchellmx, bournemouth says...
9:59am Tue 2 Dec 08
terra firma, wimborne says...
10:02am Tue 2 Dec 08
FrogKiss, Mudeford says...
10:09am Tue 2 Dec 08
Brings the wonderful reputation of the New Forest into disrepute - and its not even in the National Park!!
My children always enjoyed the magic of Stapehill Abbey. There was always a really authentic father Christmas who sat next to a big Victorian aga -and spent a minute chatting to the them. The presents received were great value for money. It was a well ordered system where you purchased a raffle ticket and were given a rough time slot. Apart from all the craft shops - there is a farmyard where you can feed the chickens, goats etc, a farming museum, play park, gardens, performances and entertainment through-out the day, winter wonderland walk - coffee shop. I would recommend it to anyone who has experienced this disappointing sham!
Zzzz, Poole says...
10:12am Tue 2 Dec 08
ZombieJesus, says...
10:18am Tue 2 Dec 08
terra firma wrote:By origin and meaning of the season, I assume you are referring to the feast of the son of Isis, a Pagan festival that took place on 25th December and involved lots of eating and gifts. Or perhaps the Roman Winter Solstice. Or maybe the Pagan Yule festival in worship of Mithras on the shortest day of the year.
As an active Christian I am saddened that mankind in pusuit of happiness at whatever the cost has lost sight of the origin and meaning of the season.
silky, says...
10:20am Tue 2 Dec 08
cmitchellmx wrote:It's only world renowned for being extortionately expensive with disgusting facilities. Pikey central. They love it. Try Wimbledon for decent banger racing in comfort...... Flatten matchams and start again.
This is a real shame, someone trying to cash in on xmas, matchams is a superb world renowned venue but is always let down by the greedy people that try and run the place, why not put it back to what its good for and successful at which is off road motocross bike racing!! and the market, and leave christmas for places that do it well!! like stewerts garden centre and the free venues provided by the local authorities, i hope everyone who has been ripped off gets there money back,
cmitchellmx, bournemouth says...
10:26am Tue 2 Dec 08
silky wrote:world renowned for over 30 years of motocross racing, hosting the Grand Prix of great britain over 50,000 spectators watching the best riders in the world compete at the highest level, televised supercross etc????
cmitchellmx wrote: This is a real shame, someone trying to cash in on xmas, matchams is a superb world renowned venue but is always let down by the greedy people that try and run the place, why not put it back to what its good for and successful at which is off road motocross bike racing!! and the market, and leave christmas for places that do it well!! like stewerts garden centre and the free venues provided by the local authorities, i hope everyone who has been ripped off gets there money back,It's only world renowned for being extortionately expensive with disgusting facilities. Pikey central. They love it. Try Wimbledon for decent banger racing in comfort...... Flatten matchams and start again.
i agree the facilities are awful and that access off of the a338 is needed but this is a world class venue in the right hands!!! and yes much of it needs rethinking,
Linz79, Frome says...
10:27am Tue 2 Dec 08
Zzzz wrote:Because some of us have very poorly children who we think deserve a special treat & thats what the website promised. It looked absolutely beautiful & magical. We are due to go today & am completely heartbroken by the reality that visitors are speaking of.
Why the heck would anyone pay £30 a head to visit an unproven attraction they know nothing about? They've obviously got more money than sense. Shame for the little kids though.
Zzzz, Poole says...
10:32am Tue 2 Dec 08
Linz79 wrote:No offence intended. I'm sorry that you've fallen victim to what appears to be a scam - or at least extremely misleading advertising. All the best and good luck trying to get your money back.
Zzzz wrote:Because some of us have very poorly children who we think deserve a special treat & thats what the website promised. It looked absolutely beautiful & magical. We are due to go today & am completely heartbroken by the reality that visitors are speaking of.
Why the heck would anyone pay £30 a head to visit an unproven attraction they know nothing about? They've obviously got more money than sense. Shame for the little kids though.
Adrian XX, Poole says...
11:14am Tue 2 Dec 08
You should think yourselves lucky that the event owners were sensible to keep these things chained up. If you're silly enough to part with £200 to see the innards of a bean bag scattered all over the forest floor, then you are certainly stupid enough to get you and your children attacked by these beasts.
Yep. Working huskies are always chained up. They appear no less happy for it. They are not pets, they are working dogs.
DailyView, Bournemouth says...
11:44am Tue 2 Dec 08
If you know the area as well as I do, you know that Matchams is a con, but most of these people were from outside of the are having seen the advertisment online.
You must sit there and see where the flow is going, and then deliberately go the opposite way.
terra firma, wimborne says...
11:46am Tue 2 Dec 08
ZombieJesus wrote:I couldn't have explained it better. Your description shows just much impact paganism has had / is having with regard with us celebrating God's free gift to the world - the birth of Christ
terra firma wrote: As an active Christian I am saddened that mankind in pusuit of happiness at whatever the cost has lost sight of the origin and meaning of the season.By origin and meaning of the season, I assume you are referring to the feast of the son of Isis, a Pagan festival that took place on 25th December and involved lots of eating and gifts. Or perhaps the Roman Winter Solstice. Or maybe the Pagan Yule festival in worship of Mithras on the shortest day of the year.
MoordownMarc, Bournemouth says...
11:46am Tue 2 Dec 08
clamfather, Ferndown says...
12:04pm Tue 2 Dec 08
As a thought why not include those who carry these adverts or host websites in the liability chain. After all if you use a credit card and are ripped off, there is an accepted liability. Deny them the oxygen of publicity after all the Echo appear to have accepted this advert at face value. As a local media source perhaps alarm bells should have sounded given the rather colourful history of this site.
Santa - 'punched in the grotto' - OUCH!
JLC, Bournemouth says...
12:08pm Tue 2 Dec 08
This weekend: BARBADOS IN BOURNEMOUTH!!!
Tat's right for only one weekend we'll be bringing Barbados to Bournemouth.
Take a walk across our sandy beaches. Drink fresh coconut milk and pineapple cocktails. Mingle in the hustle and bustle of the traditional Barbados fish market.
Feeling lazy? Take a break and relax under our fake sun (warning-may be 40 watt lightbulb). Have a dip in our traditional Barbados pool and hang out with the locals (warning may be chavs with boot polish on).
We suggest you spend 4-6 hours at this fake paradise. after soaking up the local culture you might want to watch the sun set over our neighbouring island of Trinidad and Tobago (warning T&T may be the Isle of Wight. Sunset may not actually be visible). You can barter with our locals for a series of traditional gifts (warning. May be pikeys selling fake DVDs). Or have a drink at one of our tropical paradise bars (warning bars may be Weatherspoons). Don't forget to say goodbye to our traditional Tigers before you leave (warning. May be a house cat tied to a concrete bollard).
So what's keeping you? I've just given you a load of gaff, hell I could even put up some pictures of fake sand, but you're probably gullible enough for me not to bother.
Send £200 immediately to JLC or honest Barbados holidays in Bournemouth. We can make your dreams come true.
(Disclaimer. we may not actually make your dreams come true. Actual site may not represent Barbados)
frying leper, says...
12:36pm Tue 2 Dec 08
ah
ahah ho ho ho in the crotcho ah ah ah ah OOOOOOh oh nooooo donk
claire.b, poole says...
1:16pm Tue 2 Dec 08
GAHmusic, Bournemouth says...
1:22pm Tue 2 Dec 08
ZombieJesus, says...
1:27pm Tue 2 Dec 08
terra firma wrote:The Pagan festivals were around a long time before your messiah showed up. And it's unlikely that Jesus, if he ever existed, was born in December.
ZombieJesus wrote:I couldn't have explained it better. Your description shows just much impact paganism has had / is having with regard with us celebrating God's free gift to the world - the birth of Christ
terra firma wrote: As an active Christian I am saddened that mankind in pusuit of happiness at whatever the cost has lost sight of the origin and meaning of the season.By origin and meaning of the season, I assume you are referring to the feast of the son of Isis, a Pagan festival that took place on 25th December and involved lots of eating and gifts. Or perhaps the Roman Winter Solstice. Or maybe the Pagan Yule festival in worship of Mithras on the shortest day of the year.
The religious aspect of Christmas is becoming increasingly irrelevant. There's no reason we can't still enjoy it, but we don't need to pretend it's about miracle virgin births and a magical sky god.
JLC, Bournemouth says...
1:28pm Tue 2 Dec 08
JLC, Bournemouth says...
1:28pm Tue 2 Dec 08
thelittlepeople, bournemouth says...
1:34pm Tue 2 Dec 08
JLC wrote:Could you be more patronizing? It must give you smug satisfaction to poke fun with an air of hindsight superiority. Enjoy your pot noodle Xmas day......
So if I built a flashy website and offered an amazing untold experience, you, the little people, would all come running. This weekend: BARBADOS IN BOURNEMOUTH!!! Tat's right for only one weekend we'll be bringing Barbados to Bournemouth. Take a walk across our sandy beaches. Drink fresh coconut milk and pineapple cocktails. Mingle in the hustle and bustle of the traditional Barbados fish market. Feeling lazy? Take a break and relax under our fake sun (warning-may be 40 watt lightbulb). Have a dip in our traditional Barbados pool and hang out with the locals (warning may be chavs with boot polish on). We suggest you spend 4-6 hours at this fake paradise. after soaking up the local culture you might want to watch the sun set over our neighbouring island of Trinidad and Tobago (warning T&T may be the Isle of Wight. Sunset may not actually be visible). You can barter with our locals for a series of traditional gifts (warning. May be pikeys selling fake DVDs). Or have a drink at one of our tropical paradise bars (warning bars may be Weatherspoons). Don't forget to say goodbye to our traditional Tigers before you leave (warning. May be a house cat tied to a concrete bollard). So what's keeping you? I've just given you a load of gaff, hell I could even put up some pictures of fake sand, but you're probably gullible enough for me not to bother. Send £200 immediately to JLC or honest Barbados holidays in Bournemouth. We can make your dreams come true. (Disclaimer. we may not actually make your dreams come true. Actual site may not represent Barbados)
GAHmusic, Bournemouth says...
1:44pm Tue 2 Dec 08
JLC, Bournemouth says...
1:54pm Tue 2 Dec 08
The only problem is that saying something like "it is a winter wonderland" is really open for personal intepretation. The owner may well have considered it a wonderland, and he provided everything he said he would.
Anyway i wont be eating pot noodle this Christmas. I've saved £200 by not being duped into thinking Lapland was in the new forest.
Sgt Wibble, says...
2:09pm Tue 2 Dec 08
Anyway back on subject. I'd hope these people are brought to book for this. Spending GBP3000 pounds is excessive, but the Website does make it look fantastic. With 20-20 hindsite you can think how were they ever going to create a winter-wonderland in the middle of a English Winter, unless it was all indoors or undercover.
I what I'd like to know is are they going to replace the 'snow' once it's washed away over the next week.
I would like to see the oragnisers paraded through bournemouth so people can see these people for who they are.
Julie G, Christchurch says...
2:36pm Tue 2 Dec 08
SANTADOESNTEXIST, Mexico says...
2:43pm Tue 2 Dec 08
JLC wrote:Well other than animal cruelty laws it seems as if they haven't done anything wrong at all...
What laws have they flouted exactly? The "not enough fake snow law"?
I don't know what all the fuss is about...
In our village we don't get snow. We kidnap it from the rich.
sexy 69, town says...
2:49pm Tue 2 Dec 08
SANTADOESNTEXIST, Mexico says...
2:54pm Tue 2 Dec 08
sexy 69 wrote:SANTADOSENTEXIST wrote:
Well I dont know about all of you, but i had a whale of a time. Thought it was top notch. Dont know what all of you are complaining about. You've got to have 13 complaints for it to be bad. Take the jon ross case, only 13 complaints. WORLD NEWS. Shame on you. bet half the people are complaining havent been,youre only foing it because of the media. Shame on you!
Well I dont know about all of you, but i had a whale of a time. Thought it was top notch. Dont know what all of you are complaining about. You've got to have 13 complaints for it to be bad. Take the jon ross case, only 13 complaints. WORLD NEWS. Shame on you. bet half the people are complaining havent been,youre only foing it because of the media. Shame on you!
SANTADOESNTEXIST, Mexico says...
2:58pm Tue 2 Dec 08
Sgt Wibble wrote:Couldn't agree more with ZombieJesus, Christmas is a hijacked pagan festival, as is Easter, I mean whats with all the bunnys and chicks and things. It's a fertility festival though and though.
Couldn't agree more with ZombieJesus, Christmas is a hijacked pagan festival, as is Easter, I mean whats with all the bunnys and chicks and things. It's a fertility festival though and though. Anyway back on subject. I'd hope these people are brought to book for this. Spending GBP3000 pounds is excessive, but the Website does make it look fantastic. With 20-20 hindsite you can think how were they ever going to create a winter-wonderland in the middle of a English Winter, unless it was all indoors or undercover. I what I'd like to know is are they going to replace the 'snow' once it's washed away over the next week. I would like to see the oragnisers paraded through bournemouth so people can see these people for who they are.
Anyway back on subject. I'd hope these people are brought to book for this. Spending GBP3000 pounds is excessive, but the Website does make it look fantastic. With 20-20 hindsite you can think how were they ever going to create a winter-wonderland in the middle of a English Winter, unless it was all indoors or undercover.
I what I'd like to know is are they going to replace the 'snow' once it's washed away over the next week.
I would like to see the oragnisers paraded through bournemouth so people can see these people for who they are.
sexy 69, town says...
3:01pm Tue 2 Dec 08
Miracle worker, Wimborne says...
3:01pm Tue 2 Dec 08
sexy 69, town says...
3:03pm Tue 2 Dec 08
look at me im sanadoesntexist!
Miracle worker, Wimborne says...
3:07pm Tue 2 Dec 08
amused, poole says...
3:08pm Tue 2 Dec 08
Miracle worker wrote:To be fair we all read about the terrible things that happen in other place but this is a local issue and important to the people who paid money and does not lessen the awful events in Mumbai or the killing of baby p or any other news. Its just a thread of opions from local people and I cry when I watch the news but I can still feel for families who have been ripped off especially if the people involved have sick relatives and took them to cheer them up
Well I think this whole fiasco is utterly ridiculous. Morethan 100 people were killed last week in the Mumbai attacks and yet, in the light of this, that seems to be forgotten. Who the hell cares about some two bit theme park anyway! Some of you should realyl have thought things through before buying tickets - if this was Lapland at say, Thorpe Park for instance, then paying £30 seems fair. But it wasn't. It was at Matchams. I think that alone is a warning sign.
sexy 69, town says...
3:08pm Tue 2 Dec 08
SANTADOESNTEXIST, Mexico says...
3:10pm Tue 2 Dec 08
sexy 69 wrote:Apenas porque tengo un grado inglés no significa que no puedo hablar el lenguaje de mis antepasados.
OI! If youre really in mexico, why is youre english so good. and why are you down here p****** everyone else off. if youve got something sensible to write it.otherwise f off and leave everyone alone!
Me pegan en el sótano de Hilton Ciudad de México. ¡Ayúdeme!
SANTADOESNTEXIST, Mexico says...
3:13pm Tue 2 Dec 08
sexy 69 wrote:Well you should have thought of that before you bought the tickets. You should have read on the website where it says 'Artist's Impression' and the images are clearly off Google you bloody idiot.
That was my savings for a month well saved for!
sexy 69, town says...
3:13pm Tue 2 Dec 08
SANTADOESNTEXIST, Mexico says...
3:17pm Tue 2 Dec 08
sexy 69 wrote:sexy 69 wrote:
YOU could of put that in translate! Just dont annoy other people. BTW santa does exist-he was caught smoking behinds his grotto at Lapland new forest! touche!
YOU could of put that in translate!
well i could have, but i didnt.
¡usted retraso absoluto!
amused, poole says...
3:20pm Tue 2 Dec 08
SANTADOESNTEXIST wrote:Just because i have a degree english does not mean that i cannot speak the language of my ancestors
sexy 69 wrote: OI! If youre really in mexico, why is youre english so good. and why are you down here p****** everyone else off. if youve got something sensible to write it.otherwise f off and leave everyone alone!Apenas porque tengo un grado inglés no significa que no puedo hablar el lenguaje de mis antepasados. Me pegan en el sótano de Hilton Ciudad de México. ¡Ayúdeme!
SANTADOESNTEXIST, Mexico says...
3:20pm Tue 2 Dec 08
SANTADOESNTEXIST, Mexico says...
3:21pm Tue 2 Dec 08
amused wrote:Very clever
SANTADOESNTEXIST wrote:Just because i have a degree english does not mean that i cannot speak the language of my ancestorssexy 69 wrote: OI! If youre really in mexico, why is youre english so good. and why are you down here p****** everyone else off. if youve got something sensible to write it.otherwise f off and leave everyone alone!Apenas porque tengo un grado inglés no significa que no puedo hablar el lenguaje de mis antepasados. Me pegan en el sótano de Hilton Ciudad de México. ¡Ayúdeme!
SANTADOESNTEXIST, Mexico says...
3:22pm Tue 2 Dec 08
SANTADOESNTEXIST wrote:SANTADOESNTEXIST wrote:
please reply soon
please reply soon
T.Wes, Bournemouth says...
3:28pm Tue 2 Dec 08
ZombieJesus wrote:Oh dear, stop hiding behind your prejudices, throwing imitation snowballs at each other! The facts are that Easter is in the Spring, because Jesus died at the Jewish Passover festival. The festival to celebrate Jesus' birth started around 440AD, as Christians know. Do Christians like the modern "Christmas"? No we don't, and in my respect for Earth and the Universe, I have more in common with some pagans than with some Christians. And was Jesus a magical sky God? We believe that he is God, yes, but also that he was man and lived and suffered with us on earth. Heck, he had a single mother, he was a refugee, he was hated for helping people, and he was killed for damming corrupt religious leaders and the Government! Not much has changed there, then.
terra firma wrote:The Pagan festivals were around a long time before your messiah showed up. And it's unlikely that Jesus, if he ever existed, was born in December.
ZombieJesus wrote:I couldn't have explained it better. Your description shows just much impact paganism has had / is having with regard with us celebrating God's free gift to the world - the birth of Christ
terra firma wrote: As an active Christian I am saddened that mankind in pusuit of happiness at whatever the cost has lost sight of the origin and meaning of the season.By origin and meaning of the season, I assume you are referring to the feast of the son of Isis, a Pagan festival that took place on 25th December and involved lots of eating and gifts. Or perhaps the Roman Winter Solstice. Or maybe the Pagan Yule festival in worship of Mithras on the shortest day of the year.
The religious aspect of Christmas is becoming increasingly irrelevant. There's no reason we can't still enjoy it, but we don't need to pretend it's about miracle virgin births and a magical sky god.
ZombieJesus, says...
3:45pm Tue 2 Dec 08
T.Wes wrote:Christmas and Easter have their roots in older Pagan festivals, just like the myth of Jesus has roots in earlier legends. Jesus and Christianity are just a newer version of older tales.
ZombieJesus wrote:Oh dear, stop hiding behind your prejudices, throwing imitation snowballs at each other! The facts are that Easter is in the Spring, because Jesus died at the Jewish Passover festival. The festival to celebrate Jesus' birth started around 440AD, as Christians know. Do Christians like the modern "Christmas"? No we don't, and in my respect for Earth and the Universe, I have more in common with some pagans than with some Christians. And was Jesus a magical sky God? We believe that he is God, yes, but also that he was man and lived and suffered with us on earth. Heck, he had a single mother, he was a refugee, he was hated for helping people, and he was killed for damming corrupt religious leaders and the Government! Not much has changed there, then.
terra firma wrote:The Pagan festivals were around a long time before your messiah showed up. And it's unlikely that Jesus, if he ever existed, was born in December.
ZombieJesus wrote:I couldn't have explained it better. Your description shows just much impact paganism has had / is having with regard with us celebrating God's free gift to the world - the birth of Christ
terra firma wrote: As an active Christian I am saddened that mankind in pusuit of happiness at whatever the cost has lost sight of the origin and meaning of the season.By origin and meaning of the season, I assume you are referring to the feast of the son of Isis, a Pagan festival that took place on 25th December and involved lots of eating and gifts. Or perhaps the Roman Winter Solstice. Or maybe the Pagan Yule festival in worship of Mithras on the shortest day of the year.
The religious aspect of Christmas is becoming increasingly irrelevant. There's no reason we can't still enjoy it, but we don't need to pretend it's about miracle virgin births and a magical sky god.
ColbyCapron, Bournemouth says...
3:47pm Tue 2 Dec 08
Mike Pickering, Bournemouth says...
3:51pm Tue 2 Dec 08
The belief that a cosmic Jewish Zombie can make you live forever if you symbolically eat his flesh and telepathically tell him that you accept him as your master, so he can remove an evil force from your soul that is present in all humanity because a woman made from a man's rib was convinced by a talking snake to eat fruit from a magical tree...
Please feel free to correct any of the important points if I've missed any.
Zzzz, Poole says...
4:04pm Tue 2 Dec 08
Mike Pickering wrote:Aw, come on. You'll be saying Santa doesn't really exist next.
Christianity:
The belief that a cosmic Jewish Zombie can make you live forever if you symbolically eat his flesh and telepathically tell him that you accept him as your master, so he can remove an evil force from your soul that is present in all humanity because a woman made from a man's rib was convinced by a talking snake to eat fruit from a magical tree...
Please feel free to correct any of the important points if I've missed any.
ZombieJesus, says...
4:04pm Tue 2 Dec 08
ColbyCapron wrote:Well let's not go too far. I agree religion is silly, but we don't need to start locking people up just because they're Christian.
What bunch of liars. They should be locked up.
Or were you talking about this Lapland rubbish?
frying leper, says...
4:09pm Tue 2 Dec 08
labourse, Dinard says...
4:16pm Tue 2 Dec 08
DailyView, Bournemouth says...
4:33pm Tue 2 Dec 08
But instead you are a pathetic bah humbug scrooge who hides behind the screen of these columns with nothing but a negative attitude to only add more hurt and pain to those who innocently paid out good money to visit what they thought was going to be a good day or evening out.
I cannot believe the amount of people who use these forums for their own benefits and totally try and lead the story away from what it is for their own gain. We are not interested in whether Christmas is Christain or Pagan, it does not bear on the facts of the story.
Your Say means, Your Say on the story.
ZombieJesus, says...
4:39pm Tue 2 Dec 08
DailyView wrote:Oh calm down, his post was funny. You're just boring.
JLC you are one antognistic idiot that anyone could ever know. If you yourself advertised a Barbados Weekend in Bournemouth the way you did in you comments, then the answer is know, but if you put up a lavish website, as did the Mr. Mears and Co did (you obviously did not see it) and did not know Matchams for what it is unlike us local people then you may have taken up the opportunity to visit.
But instead you are a pathetic bah humbug scrooge who hides behind the screen of these columns with nothing but a negative attitude to only add more hurt and pain to those who innocently paid out good money to visit what they thought was going to be a good day or evening out.
I cannot believe the amount of people who use these forums for their own benefits and totally try and lead the story away from what it is for their own gain. We are not interested in whether Christmas is Christain or Pagan, it does not bear on the facts of the story.
Your Say means, Your Say on the story.
DailyView, Bournemouth says...
4:42pm Tue 2 Dec 08
Nothing better to do.
Pienso que es tiempo que fuiste a otra parte antes de los asesores caminas adentro.
Adiós y una feliz Navidad
Dong!, Bournemouth says...
4:43pm Tue 2 Dec 08
ZombieJesus wrote:If it was a Pagan festival it would surely be called "Pagmas". It is called Christmas because that is when Jesus CHRIST was born. QED.
T.Wes wrote:Christmas and Easter have their roots in older Pagan festivals, just like the myth of Jesus has roots in earlier legends. Jesus and Christianity are just a newer version of older tales.ZombieJesus wrote:Oh dear, stop hiding behind your prejudices, throwing imitation snowballs at each other! The facts are that Easter is in the Spring, because Jesus died at the Jewish Passover festival. The festival to celebrate Jesus' birth started around 440AD, as Christians know. Do Christians like the modern "Christmas"? No we don't, and in my respect for Earth and the Universe, I have more in common with some pagans than with some Christians. And was Jesus a magical sky God? We believe that he is God, yes, but also that he was man and lived and suffered with us on earth. Heck, he had a single mother, he was a refugee, he was hated for helping people, and he was killed for damming corrupt religious leaders and the Government! Not much has changed there, then.terra firma wrote:The Pagan festivals were around a long time before your messiah showed up. And it's unlikely that Jesus, if he ever existed, was born in December. The religious aspect of Christmas is becoming increasingly irrelevant. There's no reason we can't still enjoy it, but we don't need to pretend it's about miracle virgin births and a magical sky god.ZombieJesus wrote:I couldn't have explained it better. Your description shows just much impact paganism has had / is having with regard with us celebrating God's free gift to the world - the birth of Christterra firma wrote: As an active Christian I am saddened that mankind in pusuit of happiness at whatever the cost has lost sight of the origin and meaning of the season.By origin and meaning of the season, I assume you are referring to the feast of the son of Isis, a Pagan festival that took place on 25th December and involved lots of eating and gifts. Or perhaps the Roman Winter Solstice. Or maybe the Pagan Yule festival in worship of Mithras on the shortest day of the year.
ranger_bob, Springbourne says...
4:52pm Tue 2 Dec 08
Dong! wrote:Why is Easter called Easter then? Oops, another flawed argument? Could it be that it takes its name from the pagan festival of Eostre?
ZombieJesus wrote:If it was a Pagan festival it would surely be called "Pagmas". It is called Christmas because that is when Jesus CHRIST was born. QED.T.Wes wrote:Christmas and Easter have their roots in older Pagan festivals, just like the myth of Jesus has roots in earlier legends. Jesus and Christianity are just a newer version of older tales.ZombieJesus wrote:Oh dear, stop hiding behind your prejudices, throwing imitation snowballs at each other! The facts are that Easter is in the Spring, because Jesus died at the Jewish Passover festival. The festival to celebrate Jesus' birth started around 440AD, as Christians know. Do Christians like the modern "Christmas"? No we don't, and in my respect for Earth and the Universe, I have more in common with some pagans than with some Christians. And was Jesus a magical sky God? We believe that he is God, yes, but also that he was man and lived and suffered with us on earth. Heck, he had a single mother, he was a refugee, he was hated for helping people, and he was killed for damming corrupt religious leaders and the Government! Not much has changed there, then.terra firma wrote:The Pagan festivals were around a long time before your messiah showed up. And it's unlikely that Jesus, if he ever existed, was born in December. The religious aspect of Christmas is becoming increasingly irrelevant. There's no reason we can't still enjoy it, but we don't need to pretend it's about miracle virgin births and a magical sky god.ZombieJesus wrote:I couldn't have explained it better. Your description shows just much impact paganism has had / is having with regard with us celebrating God's free gift to the world - the birth of Christterra firma wrote: As an active Christian I am saddened that mankind in pusuit of happiness at whatever the cost has lost sight of the origin and meaning of the season.By origin and meaning of the season, I assume you are referring to the feast of the son of Isis, a Pagan festival that took place on 25th December and involved lots of eating and gifts. Or perhaps the Roman Winter Solstice. Or maybe the Pagan Yule festival in worship of Mithras on the shortest day of the year.
That aside I do feel sorry for those who lost their money
WaveyDavey, Poole says...
4:55pm Tue 2 Dec 08
That'll make his eyes water!!!
JLC, Bournemouth says...
4:58pm Tue 2 Dec 08
But at least they've still got their Elf.
ZombieJesus, says...
5:03pm Tue 2 Dec 08
Oh wow, your argument is so persuasive and logical I shall convert to Christianity at once.
mtraynor, Bournemouth says...
5:24pm Tue 2 Dec 08
amused, poole says...
5:32pm Tue 2 Dec 08
mtraynor wrote:At last a sane comment
Er Hello guys.....this comments section has gone way off the topic. Everyone has their own beliefs which I respect. Aren't we missing the point here. Lapland New Forest has been a complete disappointment for all...especially the kids. Christmas is about family and goodwill to all regardless of what you believe in. Ok so there are some greedy gits out there who always feel the need to exploit christmas but the bottom line is home is where the heart is. I'm a great beliver in Karma...what goes around comes around.
EGHH, says...
5:38pm Tue 2 Dec 08
Bob49, Bournemouth says...
5:42pm Tue 2 Dec 08
Only if you pay £4 for the fairground ride it seems.
SANTADOESNTEXIST, Mexico says...
6:55pm Tue 2 Dec 08
DailyView wrote:Yeah nothing much gets done at school by groups of people together any more...
SANTADOESNTEXIST: Another antogonist who has not interest in the actual story, but someone who preys on this forum and waits for those who have reason to complain, to give out a negative response to add more pain to the people of this matter.
Nothing better to do.
Pienso que es tiempo que fuiste a otra parte antes de los asesores caminas adentro.
Adiós y una feliz Navidad
Feliz Navidad a usted también.
The whole story is shocking. But surely, simply the mentioning of the word 'Matchams' brings up the word 'Pikey'.
john_the_idiot, christchurch says...
8:08pm Tue 2 Dec 08
When I get my Big Mac it dont look like the one on the menu.
It happens and once again the law is to blame for letting people get away with it.
conceptsails, parkstone says...
8:14pm Tue 2 Dec 08
Arjay, Bournemouth says...
8:33pm Tue 2 Dec 08
This Christmas fiasco is a very sad saga - it's OK for those of us local, who would know to associate anything sited at Matchams with suspicion, but for those folk from further afield who don't know the area,how would they know? That web site was very pretty!
I suppose a bit of clue might have been in the dates. How on earth would you expect a 'theme park', of any quality, to be set up for just a month?
The similarly named(but with no connection, I understand) 'Lapland UK' has similar features described, plus several reliable endorsements attached. If their prices are representative of this kind of facility, then £25 seems too cheap against their £75 - £85 price range. Surely that would ring alarm bells!?
Sad for all the disappointed children though.
sexy 69, town says...
8:51pm Tue 2 Dec 08
SANTADOESNTEXIST wrote:hey i was supposed to reply. i came off at 315 so someone must of either posed as me or had the same name. see i replied back santa does not exist. lol ;)
amused wrote:Very cleverSANTADOESNTEXIST wrote:Just because i have a degree english does not mean that i cannot speak the language of my ancestorssexy 69 wrote: OI! If youre really in mexico, why is youre english so good. and why are you down here p****** everyone else off. if youve got something sensible to write it.otherwise f off and leave everyone alone!Apenas porque tengo un grado inglés no significa que no puedo hablar el lenguaje de mis antepasados. Me pegan en el sótano de Hilton Ciudad de México. ¡Ayúdeme!
amused, poole says...
10:08pm Tue 2 Dec 08
shankz92, ferndown says...
10:13pm Tue 2 Dec 08
the ground was snowy but the bad weather we have had has washed it away...
the winter wonderland has nothing to do with matchams its some pikeys that are renting the grounds...
matchams shouldnt be getting a bad reputation over some pikeys...
why are some of u moanin coz u cldnt see xmas lights durin day wtf lol, its the day...
lights go on wen starts to get dark...
think about it yeah lol
jst let it go you have been had by a bunch of pikeys
DonG, says...
10:28pm Tue 2 Dec 08
But then I hedge my bets with other gods who don't believe in santa either !
(anagram of santa = satan)
Bob49, Bournemouth says...
10:32pm Tue 2 Dec 08
Any chance of this in English ?
DailyView, Bournemouth says...
11:16pm Tue 2 Dec 08
shankz92 wrote:It would have been far better if you spoke the same language as the rest of us, unless of course you are a pikey yourself. It makes no difference if Matchams is given out to the pikeys, Matchams and Mr. Mears did this, and they are at fault and will be held to account. Personally the whole place would not be missed if it were to be closed down and built on.
this iz rediculous!
the ground was snowy but the bad weather we have had has washed it away...
the winter wonderland has nothing to do with matchams its some pikeys that are renting the grounds...
matchams shouldnt be getting a bad reputation over some pikeys...
why are some of u moanin coz u cldnt see xmas lights durin day wtf lol, its the day...
lights go on wen starts to get dark...
think about it yeah lol
jst let it go you have been had by a bunch of pikeys
PoliGent, Poole says...
12:29am Wed 3 Dec 08
casualtyofchocolate, Bournemouth says...
4:20pm Wed 3 Dec 08
ZombieJesus - I thank you. I haven't laughed so much in ages, you are a true commedian.
shankz92, ferndown says...
4:33pm Wed 3 Dec 08
DailyView wrote:WTF wot a dik...
shankz92 wrote: this iz rediculous! the ground was snowy but the bad weather we have had has washed it away... the winter wonderland has nothing to do with matchams its some pikeys that are renting the grounds... matchams shouldnt be getting a bad reputation over some pikeys... why are some of u moanin coz u cldnt see xmas lights durin day wtf lol, its the day... lights go on wen starts to get dark... think about it yeah lol jst let it go you have been had by a bunch of pikeysIt would have been far better if you spoke the same language as the rest of us, unless of course you are a pikey yourself. It makes no difference if Matchams is given out to the pikeys, Matchams and Mr. Mears did this, and they are at fault and will be held to account. Personally the whole place would not be missed if it were to be closed down and built on.
wtf it got to do with language, tryin to change subject...
This has nothin to do with matchams its rented out to the pikeys..,
wanna get ur facts rite...
will be held to account u some posh geeza?? lol
sort your lyf owt goin on bowt way i rite tingz. lol
its called informal m8
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'FESTIVE ATTRACTION': Trading standards are investigating the theme park at Matchams
KENNEL ON A PALLET: A husky
Eight-year-old Liam and his four-year-old sister Renee were just two of many children disappointed
THE DREAM: An image from the 'attractions' website
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wonderway, boscombe says...
7:32am Tue 2 Dec 08