A Titanic-themed children's ride at a family farm in Hertfordshire has been branded 'disrespectful' for attempting to recreate the downed ship, sparking a debate over the appropriateness of the attraction.
Ride Details and Criticism
The ride, which costs £2 per go, features a replica of the 1912 sunken vessel with two iconic funnels. It tilts upwards before ejecting riders onto a crash mat. The attraction was promoted this summer at Graveley Fruit Farm near Hitchin, Hertfordshire.
Some families expressed dismay, calling it a 'distasteful' homage to the tragedy that claimed the lives of around 60 children. Andy Turner wrote on the farm's Facebook page: 'I'm sorry, but this is one of the most distasteful, disrespectful, and strange attractions for children. I cannot believe that you have created a game and ride based on such a tragedy. Would you create a game based on Auschwitz or the twin towers? The Titanic is infamous for sinking, causing the deaths of 1,500 people of which 60 were children. This is sickening and anybody who doesn't see an issue with this clearly has no sense of morality.'
Public Reaction and Farm's Response
Claire Borchers commented: 'Strange bunch of people who not only enjoy, but endorse this. A simple change to the name/colour of this ship would make it far less offensive and more appropriate as a children's ride.' She added: 'There wouldn't be a ride focused around the twin towers or other historical tragedies, so why is this acceptable?'
Graveley Farm, which opened in 1981 and offers a playground, crazy golf, and strawberry picking, initially said it would change the ride's name 'ASAP' in response to criticisms. However, the farm later reversed this decision, citing significant support to retain the name, as reported by the Sun.
Historical Context and Farm's Justification
The RMS Titanic sank on its maiden voyage after hitting an iceberg on April 15, 1912. Of the 2,220 passengers and crew onboard, nearly 1,500 lost their lives. The Titanic ride returned in May after having previously run for several years.
Graveley Farm told Metro that while it received criticism for the ride, it faced a larger backlash when it temporarily removed the Titanic name and 'gave into the wokes'. The farm added: 'Titanic has become almost a byword in the English language. There are no survivors, or for that matter children of survivors alive today. I would like to think if we could talk to the ghosts of the people who drowned over a hundred years ago when the ship went down, that if they knew that there was a children's slide made in their memory that gives a lot of pleasure to so many people, then it would be met with a kindly smile.'
