Vera Florence Alice Bryan was a British businessperson who was the co-founder and a director of Drayton Manor Theme Park.
Background
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.
Career
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. 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.
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 2004, Vera named the new Drayton Manor lifeboat, which was purchased following fundraising activities by the park.