Alan Buckley, a long-serving leading figure in the rides and attractions industry, has been recognised for the contribution he has made to the sector, particularly in the development of children’s rides.

During a presentation made at the Amusement Devices Safety Council meeting at Drayton Manor Theme Park in the UK, Bacta chief executive John White presented Buckley with the highly prestigious Bacta Community Award.

Representatives from Bacta, BALPPA and The Showmen’s Guild of Great Britain, attended the event and watched as John White described Buckley as “the benchmark against which the term ‘Life Long Servant’ should be measured.”

“Throughout his career he has worked tirelessly to ensure that children’s rides operate to the highest technical standards and safety protocols proportionate to the entertainment experience and the businesses of operators,” said White.

“To this end, and based on his detailed knowledge of the business, Alan was responsible for producing the technical standards which later became the ADIPS for children’s rides.

“Alan’s insight and sensitivity to the business dynamics of operating children’s rides obviated the need for the industry to be subject to the third-party inspections required of bigger rides which would, in all likelihood, have made the sector unviable.  Everyone involved in this part of our industry owes Alan a huge debt of gratitude and I am honoured to name him the latest recipient of the Bacta Community Award,” White added.

On receiving the award, Alan Buckley said:

“It’s a great honour to receive this award from Bacta.  The industry has been a really important part of my professional life during which I have enjoyed the friendship of so many people.

“Children’s rides make a great contribution to the entertainment experience the industry provides and I am just pleased that in turn I have been able to make my own contribution to their continued success.”

The Bacta Community Award programme was established as a way of recognising leading individuals who have made an outstanding contribution to the industry and the communities in which they operate.