The swan was transported to Jenny Walker’s home on a lorry across the M6Jenny Walker, 38, has spent thousands on a swan boat which featured at Alton Towers. Her daughter Summer Jane, three, with the boatA Staffordshire mum obsessed with an Alton Towers ride from her childhood has forked out thousands after tracking down one of its original swan boats,Jenny Walker, 38, spent months trying to get her hands on a fibreglass swans after growing up riding them at the popular theme park, in Staffordshire, near her home.The famous Swan Boats attraction carried up to nine visitors in giant white swans around the lake at Alton Towers between 1987 and 2003.Determined to own one herself, she set her sights on a swan owned by the Lion Bar & Club, in Walsall.She managed to convince the boss to part ways with the swan and even transported it along the M6, with motorists beeping their horns as it went past.It now has pride of place outside Jenny’s home. where it has become a favourite of her three-year-old daughter Summer Jane.READ MORE: The disturbing digital trail left by racist monster who raped Sikh woman he thought was MuslimJenny said: “It wouldn’t be to everyone’s taste, but it’s an iconic thing.”It brings back so many happy memories of waiting in line with excitement to go on the ride.”Jenny, from Wetley Rocks, near Stoke-on-Trent, said she spent much of her childhood at the park and always loved the gentle ride around the water.She said: “We live near Alton Towers and I spent a lot of my childhood there.”It just feels like a part of history.”Jenny Walker, 38, has spent thousands on a swan boat which featured at Alton TowersWhen the ride closed in 2003, the 16 swans were sold off and were dispatched across the country, becoming prized collectors’ items.Over the years, some have appeared at caravan parks, schools and private homes, while others have reportedly changed hands for substantial sums.Jenny said: “It was difficult, because one had recently sold on eBay and there was an offer – which was later retracted – for £500,000.”We know that another sold in our town for £30,000.”It was hard to compare prices, some people were asking for daft money.”READ MORE: Secret to getting the best of BirminghamLive’s storiesDespite the cost, Jenny spent thousands of pounds getting one of the increasingly rare boats for her family.She launched a lengthy hunt, contacting owners, collectors and enthusiasts in the hope of persuading somebody to part with one.Jenny said: “Most people said they wanted to pass them down the generations.”Eventually, she found one owned by the Lion Bar & Club in Walsall.The venue’s licensee Zac Humpage had owned the boat for years and used it as a stage and photo prop at performances and events.Jenny said: “At first, they said they weren’t interested in parting with the swan because they used it on stage.”But we bartered back and forth for months and months.”Her persistence eventually paid off and Zac agreed to sell, with the mum recalling: “It was amazing, we were ecstatic.”Don’t miss the biggest and breaking stories by signing up to the BirminghamLive newsletter here.Jenny Walker’s daughter Summer Jane with the swan boatThe swan was transported home on a lorry, with Jenny and her family following behind as it made its way along the M6.She said: “Even when we were driving down the motorway with it, everyone was beeping their horns because they recognised it.”It’s so well-known and so loved.”The boat now had pride of place outside the family’s home.Jenny said: “[Summer Jane] went to nursery one day and when she got home, she just couldn’t believe what was in the garden.”Jenny’s quest to find a swan came after she bought a house which had become a local landmark thanks to one of the original Alton Towers boats standing outside for around 15 years.The swan was sold before she completed the purchase, leaving the family determined to find another.Jenny said: “I remember always seeing it as a child.”Now I’ve got my own family, the house came up for sale – and we immediately knew it was the house with the swan.”But in between the time it was listed for sale and we bought the house, someone local had spotted the chance to offer money for the boat.”Determined to restore the landmark, she eventually succeeded in bringing another original swan back to the village.Despite the soaring value of the nostalgic attractions, Jenny insists this one won’t be going anywhere.She said: “We’re never going to part with it.”
Mum obsessed with Alton Towers ride spends thousands on Walsall Bar’s swan boat
