A SIBLING duo who took over as directors of a popular zoo attraction from their parents have paid tribute on its 25th anniversary.
Brother and sister team, Ollie Smith and Cassie Poland, used to visit the park as babies in the 1990s and officially took the reins of Drusillas Park, in Alfriston earlier this year.
Their parents Laurence and Christine Smith acquired the park in 1997, meaning that Ollie and Cassie were frequent visitors.
They both worked their way up the ranks over the years, taking on various roles in the zoo, before spending time at the helm under the guidance of their parents.
Cassie and Ollie marked a quarter of a century with a sweet photo tribute to Christine and Laurence, who stepped down from their roles as part of the business’ succession plan.
Ollie said: “Our parents achieved an astonishing number of successes since they took on the business, and Cassie and I have watched them over the years constantly striving to make the Park better and better – and achieving exactly that.
“We are incredibly proud of their legacy and will try to fill those enormous shoes as best we can.”
Among the most notable developments under Laurence and Christine’s management were a Thomas the Tank Engine train ride, the installation of six new family theme park rides, and the Jurassic Jungle walkthrough.
Cassie said: “Our parents' hard work over two decades truly established Drusillas as a much-loved family attraction, and that has carved out a really exciting path for us to continue on.
“They have set the bar high and we’re working to maintain their careful balance of preserving deeply historic parts of the Park, whilst introducing new and innovative offerings, keeping it both nostalgic and exciting for many more years to come.”
The anniversary falls at the same time as the opening of The Rainforest Adventure, Ollie and Cassie’s biggest development project since being appointed Managing Directors.
Seven years previous, Christine and Laurence opened Europe’s first Hello Kitty attraction and posed in the new ride as part of the opening promotions – the photo has been recreated in the attraction’s new jungle-themed cars.
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