Occupation Businessperson Name Vera Bryan | Children Colin Bryan | |
Full Name Vera Florence Alice Bryan Born 9 June 1917 ( 1917-06-09 ) Finchampstead, Berkshire, UK Spouse(s) George Bryan (1942–2013; his death) Died October 16, 2013, The Royal Town of Sutton Coldfield, United Kingdom | ||
Vera Florence Alice Bryan (9 June 1917 - 16 October 2013) was a British businessperson who was the co-founder and a director of Drayton Manor Theme Park. She co-founded the company with her husband George, in 1949.
Contents
Career highlights
After leaving school at the age of 14, Mrs Bryan began working at California-in-England Pleasure Park in Berkshire, which was owned by her father, and by 1935, Vera had taken over the running of the tea shop with all the responsibilities that role involved.
However, following the outbreak of the Second World War, California-in-England was shut and the restaurant was converted into a factory manufacturing aircraft parts. Mrs Bryan understood her duty and swapped her apron for overalls and spent five years working at the factory, much of the time as a welder.
It was in May 1942 that Vera met her husband, Mr George Bryan and they married in December that year.
California-in-England reopened after the end of the war but by the late 1940s and inspired by her father’s business, Mrs Bryan and her husband were ready to embark on their own legacy – Drayton Manor Theme Park.
Drayton Manor Theme Park
The couple first arrived at the 80-acre site near Tamworth on 16 October 1949, and the land was covered with 4ft-high brambles, mounds of rubbish and old army huts. Undaunted by the challenge, the couple, along with a small, dedicated team of engineers and mechanics, spent six months transforming the site.
In April 1950, Drayton Manor Park opened and for decades, Vera and her husband worked side-by-side transforming the small attraction into a major national tourism destination. From organising the catering and supervising staff, to making curtains and other furnishings for the tea rooms and restaurant, Mrs Bryan was an inspiration to all.
In addition to the running of Drayton Manor Theme Park, being a mother to Colin, Jane and Andrew, grandmother and great grandmother, Mrs Bryan was also a passionate supporter of various charities, including the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI). In 2004, Vera named the new Drayton Manor lifeboat, which was purchased following fundraising activities by the park.
Personal life
Vera Bryan married George Bryan in 1942 and first arrived at the Drayton Manor site on 16 October 1949. Vera died at the age of 96 on 16 October 2013, less than a month after the passing of her husband of 71 years.