4) How not to secure a bouncy castle – a very true story.

This story originally appeared in the Inflated News magazine – issue 7, and has been reproduced with the kind permission of the editor. The author of this

story wishes to remain anonymous and you will soon realize why.

“Always secure the castle, those were the last words of advice Peter (of Whitehall Inflatables) said to me as I left with my new pride and joy bouncy castle

. An hour later, I was on my driveway, ground sheet down, fan secured to the castle and my 3 and 4 year old girls eagerly awaiting to get on their very

own bouncy castle – but not yet. I remembered those words “Always secure the castle”. So one corner was secured around the gate post, and one around

the garage post, so far so good. This new venture’s going to be easy! The car with its tow-bar parked at the side of the castle made another securing

point.

Get on kids and off they went, smiles all around. The wife got the camera out and started clicking away, so far so good you may think until I had a

brainstorm (or the lack of one). You see the pictures were okay, but the car was getting in the way to get a decent shot of the castle and really

needed moving. So, without hesitation, I jumped into the car, started it and set off………Now, I’d only gone five feet when I heard the first

scream from my wife and I realized what I’d done. Oh b***** hell and oh no! went ringing through my ears. You see, I’d forgotten that

the castle was still tied to the car and even worse, my two kids were still or should I say had been bouncing on it!!

So now you can picture the scene….a castle at right angles to my drive, a ripped anchor point and my two kids walking around the garden

rubbing their necks and crying. Talk about the ride from hell! I’d only had the castle twelve hours and had torn off the anchor point and

given the kids whiplash!!!

I had to get the castle fixed quick and I told the truth about how it happened and did they at Whitehall take the mick?? Did they!

And from this day forever I shall never live it down. So just remember a couple of things when it all goes wrong: Never admit

to how the castle got torn, this lot will take the mick forever and towing inflated castles to venues is not recommended”!!!

This synopsis of events was presented to Peter at Whitehall Inflatables and framed using the dreaded anchor point.

Thank you for this interesting story, the author wanted to stay anonymous for obvious reasons.

If you would like to receive a regular copy of the Inflated News Magazine – please contact Paul at editor@inflatednews.com

Or write to Inflated News, P.O. Box 824, Aylesford, Kent, ME20 7WA.