The last section of the Grand National ride. Opened in 1935, this is one of Blackpool’s classic roller coasters. It is one of only three surviving Moebius Loop roller coasters in the world, and the only one left in Europe. The two trains race each other over a course of about 1km.
LIFE IS ONE BIG ROLLER COASTER
Bro. Andy Hine MBE is the founder and Chairman of The Roller Coaster Club of Great Britain. He is a Middlesex Mason and is Senior Warden of The Circle of Friendship Lodge No 7320. Recently, he was recently Exalted into The Hale Chapter 5141.
He has had a lifelong passion for Roller Coasters which began at the age of six after riding the Grand National at Blackpool Pleasure Beach. Subsequently Andy spent many years traveling across the UK searching for the best rides. No Google in those early days of his enthusiasm.
During his travels he noticed familiar faces at various amusement parks. He placed signs at the venues he visited inviting fellow enthusiasts to meet up. This resulted in the first gathering at Dreamland, Margate in 1988 which drew 11 people, inspiring Andy to form the Roller Coaster Club. He created the club magazine AIRtime to share news and updates. Since then, the Club has grown to over 1,400 members, and Andy has organized more than 200 events with regular turnouts of 300–400 attendees.
Over the past 37 years, Andy has taken more than 40,000 people to amusement parks worldwide. His events have led to 20 marriages. In a personal testament to his passion, Andy also met his wife, Christine, on a Roller Coaster, and they later married on one, with the ceremony taking place on the platform before the train departed. Their daughter Charlotte took her first ride at 14 months old, and Andy recently became a grandfather to Albie, a future rider already donning a themed bib.
Bro Andy MBE
Andy runs the Club as a non-profit and uses events to raise money for charities through auctions, endurance rides, and donations. His dedication was recognised in 2004 when he received an MBE from Queen Elizabeth II, and his favourite coaster, the Grand National, named a train after him.
Driven by his love for wooden coasters, Andy led a 20-year campaign titled “Real Coasters are Made of Wood,” which culminated in the construction of the Wicker Man at Alton Towers in 2018. Blackpool Pleasure Beach remains his top park, thanks to its blend of classic wooden rides and modern thrills, family ownership, and seaside charm.
Andy is a well-known figure in the amusement park community, often appearing in media to champion tourism. He is especially concerned about smaller attractions struggling with rising costs and hopes his events will help them stay afloat.
Reflecting on 37 years with the Club, Andy finds joy in seeing members’ excitement and the friendships built along the way—parallels he also finds in Freemasonry. He even appeared on the TV show You Bet, identifying roller coasters by sound—a testament to his unique passion.
Andy has used this pursuit to raise money for Charity having recently in achieving £1000 for the Men’s Health Charity CHAPS which has been supported by many Lodges and Chapters in the Province.
After running the Club for 37 years Andy said that it is so rewarding standing on a roller coaster station and watching the members smiling as the train leaves, adding that he felt privileged to be able to give his members many unique experiences such as exclusive riding before or after a park opens, backstage tours, factory visits, etc.
ANDY THE MASON
Andy has said that the friendships and camaraderie formed within the Club is also why he likes being a Freemason as over the years he has made many new friends and likes to offer his support and encouragement to ensure that everyone gets the best out of their experiences.
ANDY THE TV STAR
Brother Andy Hine has also appeared on TV and the link below will show his appearance on the TV show “YOU BET” hosted by Matthew Kelly – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EYDaLfhq-j4
BLACKPOOL BASH
For 37 years Andy has organised a 3-day visit to Blackpool Pleasure Beach. The annual event attracts around 350-400 attendees from all over the UK (and one or two from the USA).
It is a full-on weekend of fun which involves many elements. Click Link to get more details of this special event:
Thanks to W. Bro Paul Lowery ProvSGW who provided the story.
Edit by W. Bro Stan Marut PPrJGD SLGR – Communications Team.
