Gulliver’s visitors set to take a walk down Chuckle Street
KILLJOY councillors may have ended the Advertiser’s Chuckle Square campaign but Rotherham’s famous comedy duo will have a street named in their honour after all.
Gulliver’s Valley will feature a tribute to the kids’ entertainers when the £37 million theme park opens on the former Pithouse West site between Wales and Aston.
Paul and Barry will be celebrated with Chuckle Street, an indoor area of the site where visitors will see a colourful timeline on the walls displaying the brothers’ remarkable journey.
It will include a Chuckle Bank, where donations of books and toys can be made for children’s charities and community initiatives reflecting the famous “to me to you” catchphrase.
Gulliver’s managing director Julie Dalton said: “We knew from the very beginning of this development that we would have to recognise the unbelievable careers of Paul and Barry.
“Not only are the Chuckle Brothers proud Rotherham people but they have also worked tirelessly throughout their lives to create amazing, fun experiences for children up and down the country, which aligns exactly with the ethos of Gulliver’s.
“They are both true local legends that deserve all the accolades they have received, and we hope by honouring them in this way it goes a little way to showing them how proud the people of South Yorkshire are to call them their own.”
Mrs Dalton said the Chuckle Street display would chart and celebrate the brothers’ career milestones and submitted photos will be welcome too.
She added: “We know people of all ages love the Chuckle Brothers as they are such a reminder of our childhoods or our children’s childhoods, so parents and grandparents can also get involved by submitting their own memories or photos.
“It is terribly sad that Barry is no longer with us to be part of this, but we know how much it means to Paul and his family and we look forward to welcoming him to Gulliver’s Valley as soon as we can to show him our tribute to him and his brother.”
Paul, currently starring in BBC One’s The Real Marigold Hotel, said: “It’s a real honour for the Chuckle Brothers to be recognised in this way. I’d like to thank Gulliver’s Valley as it really does mean the world.
“Everyone knows that Barry and I were proud Rotherham lads who flew the flag for the town wherever we went, so to have a place in this area that showcases our lives and careers is just wonderful.
“It’s also particularly fitting because Gulliver’s Valley is a place dedicated to family fun and adventures, which is exactly what Barry and I set out to achieve with our act and subsequent TV shows all those years ago.
“I know how much this would have meant to Barry so it is bittersweet, but I’m incredibly proud and can’t wait to visit the park and Chuckle Street myself as soon as I can.”