A beloved song from the iconic Tinkaboo Factory ride at Pleasure Island has been found, delighting fans of the former Cleethorpes theme park. For over a decade, only a short, grainy clip of the tune existed. The full version was rediscovered thanks to the efforts of a young park historian, Alfie Lugsden, and the song’s original composer, Mick Armistead. This amazing discovery brings back a flood of happy memories for thousands who visited the park before its closure.
A Decade-Long Hunt for a Lost Tune
For years, the catchy theme from the Tinkaboo Factory ride was just a fading memory. The search for the full song was led by 19-year-old Alfie Lugsden, who runs the popular Pleasure Island Archive on Facebook. His passion for preserving the park’s history drove him to look for the tune for over ten years.
Before this discovery, all that remained of the song was a low-quality 30-second clip. This short snippet was cherished by former parkgoers, as it was the only piece of the original music that survived after it was replaced in 2008. Many feared the complete version was gone for good, a lost piece of local history.
The Surprise Email that Changed Everything
Just as Alfie was about to give up hope, he received an unexpected email. It was from Mick Armistead, the music producer who composed the song back in 1993. Armistead had stumbled upon the online community’s search for the “Tinkaboo” song and realized he was the one who created it.
He reached out to Alfie and revealed he still had the original master tape of the song. Armistead explained that he was commissioned to write a song about a family who owned a sweet factory. He had no idea it would become the soundtrack to one of Pleasure Island’s most famous rides, as he had never even visited the park himself.
Bringing a Piece of History Back to Life
After connecting with Alfie, Mick Armistead took the original tapes to a recording studio in London to have them professionally digitized. This process ensured the song was preserved in high quality for future generations to enjoy. A month later, he sent the full, crystal-clear version to a thrilled Alfie.
“After years of searching, to finally hear the whole thing again felt incredible,” Alfie said. The rediscovered track revealed details that had been lost in the grainy clip, including the fact that the vocals were simply sped up, which many people had misremembered as children’s voices.
| Year | Event |
| 1993 | Mick Armistead composes the original song. |
| 2008 | The original song is replaced on the ride. |
| ~2013 | Alfie Lugsden begins his ten-year search. |
| 2023 | Mick Armistead contacts Alfie with the original tape. |
Rekindling Nostalgia for a Generation
The release of the full song has sparked a wave of nostalgia online. The Tinkaboo Factory was a favorite attraction for families, and its unique theme song became an unforgettable part of the experience for visitors throughout the 1990s and 2000s.
The rediscovery allows former visitors to relive cherished childhood memories of the whimsical ride. Alfie’s work with the Pleasure Island Archive has provided a central place for people to share these memories. The recovery of the song is a major victory for his mission to keep the spirit of the park alive, even though it closed permanently in 2016.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Tinkaboo Song
Who found the lost Pleasure Island song?
The full version of the Tinkaboo Factory song was found by Alfie Lugsden, a 19-year-old historian, after the original composer, Mick Armistead, contacted him.
What was the Tinkaboo Factory ride?
It was a popular family ride at the Pleasure Island theme park in Cleethorpes, featuring animatronic characters in a whimsical sweet factory setting.
Why was the original song so hard to find?
The song was replaced on the ride in 2008 with a Disney tune, and the original master tapes were thought to be lost until the composer came forward.
Where can I listen to the full song?
The full version of the Tinkaboo Factory song has been shared online through Alfie Lugsden’s Pleasure Island Archive page on Facebook for all fans to enjoy.
When did Pleasure Island close down?
The Pleasure Island theme park officially closed its doors to the public for the final time in 2016, but its memory is kept alive by dedicated fans.
