| Name | Comment | Date | Location |
| prumke@netcomuk.co.uk (Paul Rumke) | My history with Butlins would probably fill your computer memory several times over, and as some of you are aware alot of it can't be printed. I hope to see many old friends and collegues in the New Year at the re-union, if I ever get round to completing the paper work - never was my strong point. Regards from all the left over Rumke's (inc elder brother Michael) | 10 Dec 2002 | UK |
| RedcoatDes@aol.com (Des Bober (Bingo Des)) | I was a Redcoat at Clacton from 1970 until 1975. I was the Bingo Caller in the Blinking Owl Bar. The Best Days Of My Life. Hi De Hi Des | 14 Dec 2002 | UK |
| Marshall@pigsty213.freeserve.co.uk (Marshall Steele) | Hi I worked in the Grand Hotel Dining Room Cliftonville as a waiter in summer of 1967, the following year, in the George again in Cliftonville and in the dinning room. Evenings swapped jackets to work as bar waiter in Grand ballroom. If you recall me do get in touch. Marshall | 14 Dec 2002 | UK |
| Dave Ellis normael@alltel.com.au | I was born at Clacton on 27thAugust 1938 and lived most of my life there until 1957, when I joined the RAF and eventually moved to Oakham in the midlands. I attended Clacton County High School. Would be interested to hear from, Brian Strickland,Tony Farthing or Jimmy Rignall. I now live in Australia and have come into contact with the Newton family from Jaywick, Kenny Townsend and John McCurdy from Clacton. If we knew each other, please Email me. Incidentally I had a sister, Muriel and a brother, Patrick and we lived at 20 Oxford Crescent. Regards.............Dave Ellis | 6 Nov 2002 | Australia |
| julieseals@tds.net (Julie Seals) | I am looking for information on my grandparents who lived in Clacton, Elsie and George(Horace)Deighton. They lived on Old Road. I think my grandpa died there in Clacton but grandma moved away after his death. I left England to move to the states when I was 16, my maiden name was Witham, my Mum, Pamela Violet Deighton, and Dad divorced when I was young and Mum has since died so I am trying to discover my roots. Can anyone help me in my quest, rootsweb and ancestry.com have yielded no results. | 23 Oct 2002 | |
| helene.helr@wanadoo.fr | I'm French. When I was a student, I worked in Clacton Butlin's camp in 1968 and 1969 during my summer holidays.I first worked as a dining hall assistant, then as a waitress. There was a lot of foreign students, tzech, norwegian, american and I remember I had a lot of fun at these times. I remember the english boys at the washing up who kept some tomatoes for me. If you ever remember me, (I was short-haired) I w'd love to hear from you. Helene | Tue, 1 Oct 2002 | France |
| byrona@cwcom.net | I was a Dishwasher at Clacton in 1959. Marvelous, all the grub I could eat, all the crumpet I could chase (can't remember sleeping in my own Chalet), easy work and 5 quid a week too. Jimmy Bingham, Jimmy Zammutt, love to hear from you also a 'bird' called Jackie who didn't work at Butlins but lived in Clacton. | 1 Oct 2002 | |
| patchart40@msn.com (floyd) | can any one send me some photos of butlins clacton or tell me were i can get some plz.i often go back to look at the old place it wos such a happy place to be so exciting i loved the swimming pool were you could dive under and see the ppl sitting in the cafe through the windows | Sun, 22 Sep 2002 | UK |
| wendywoo14@aol.com (wendy jones) | Iv worked at Butlins Skegness for four & half months now & its the best thing iv ever done. Im 28 years old & have always wanted to work in an holiday camp & thought Butlins would be the best one to work at & iv not looked back since. You can also end up with NVQ's in most of the places of work, so if you are thinking of going to work at Butlins GO FOR IT | Wed, 4 Sep 2002 | Skegness |
| egon.eisermann@eurodok.de (Egon Eisermann) | I ' looking for a friend of mine. We lost us . Now i try to find him. His last addres was: JA Technicial Services; Jeremy Arnold * Telefon: 0044 255 815850 * 76 Salibury Road * Clacton -on-Sea * Essex CO15 5LL Could somebody help me ? Thanks from germany! I have a friend living in your town (or he was living in your town, 6 o 7 years ago). We lost us. Now I try to find him. His name is Jeremy Arnold. He must be arround 45 years old. Could somebody help me to find him. Thanks in advance. My phone number ++49 6252 69501 email: egon.eisermann@eurodok.de | Tue, 3 Sep 2002 | Germany |
| jrtice@beeb.net (John Tice) | When I was younger I spent many a happy holiday at the Clacton camp. I can recall collecting autographs of not only the Redcoats but other staff as well. My 'fondest' memory was going up to the dining room which I seem to remember was above reception. There was an escalator which was 'guarded' by a man who only let six or so people up at a time - the gent used to have a walking stick which he used to block the way when there was enough 'passengers' I assume the escalator was on its way out! I also remember being rather vary of the Pig Dustbin which was located next to the helter-skelter in the fun park. When rubbish was deposited (through its nose!) it made an oinking noise in appreciation. This noise used to scare me to such a point that I used to insist that we went the other way around to avoid it! Happy days!! I actually paid Clacton a visit on August Bank Holiday this year. I ventured down to the old site to find a coach park and housing - very sad. I have enjoyed reading your pages. Regards. | Fri, 30 Aug 2002 | UK |
| bobpcarrick@aol.com (bob carrick) | does anyone have any photos of ayr, apart from the ones already available, thank you bob | Tue, 27 Aug 2002 | UK |
| nh003d0804@blueyonder.co.uk (matthew cox) | i remember going to clacton butlins when i was a young boy i am interested in getting some photos or video footage from the week when the russell harty show filmed there as myself and many of my family were on the tv shows | Sat, 24 Aug 2002 | UK |
| Stephen Adams Editor Clacton-on-Sea Web | I have found the following Email addresses of Redcoats on the Internet | 19th Aug 2002 | UK |
| Email address | Name | Butlins Site | |
| paullatham@justchat.co.uk | Paul Latham | Bognor Regis between 1994 and 1998 | |
| peachymead@aol.com | Peachy Mead | Clacton 61-64 | |
| alannichollsavfc@aol.com | Alan Nicholls | Pwhelli from 76 to 80 and Skegness from 81 to 85 | |
| campbellbrambell@yahoo.co.uk | Steve Campbell | Skegness in 1991 | |
| barbprovis@mclarenstoplis.ca | Barbara Provis | Bluecoat Clacton in 1958 and 1959 | |
| Donmedlock@btinternet.com | Don Medlock | Barry Island in 1967 | |
| dlj.dlj@ntlworld.com | David Lloyd-Jones | Cliftonville in 1979 | |
| andywint@manxradio.com | Andy Wint | Radio Butlin (where?) 1974 | |
| drew@drewarmstrong.co.uk | Drew Armstrong | Skegness 1980's | |
| martyn-johnson@lineone.net | Martyn Johnson | Filey in 1976 and 1977 | |
| anneelaine@lineone.net | anne rogerson-howard [lou] | bognor regis nursery 1970 till 72 then Minehead Nursery | |
| david.hubbard@dmr.com.au | Dave Hubbard | Office at Filey during 1974 | |
| HowardBober@aol.com | Des Bober | Clacton Camp 1970 | |
| Redcoatfiley@btinternet.com | Kookie | Filey & Minehead in 1964 | |
| mdreilly15@aol.com | Stevie B | Ayr between 1990 -1996 | |
| grahamebrind@euphony.net | KAREN BRIND (SMITH AS WAS!) | FILEY 1980-82, SKEGNESS 83, BOGNOR 83 | |
| graham.eagland@btopenworld.com | Graham Eagland | Pwllheli 1964 | |
| thestanways@yahoo.co.uk | Ron Stanway | Clacton '55/'57; Pwllheli '58/'62,Filey '63/'65,Barry Island '66,Clacton '66,Pwllheli '67/'70,Head Office '71/'90 | |
| diane.allen@consignia.com | Dee Bance | Head Office 967/8,Redcoat Courier to the Ocean at Brighton winter weekends. Also worked at Bognor for Easters, Minehead at Christmas. Worked in Head Office again in 1990 for Director of Entertainments. | |
| chrissie.g@lineone.net | chrissie grimston | Butlins hotels from1978 - 1987 | |
| ghillean5@aol.com | Ghillean Bates Salter AKA Gillian Reid (smiler) | Ayr 1982 | |
| spider_webb99@yahoo.co.uk | Lisa Collier | Wonderwest World, Ayr in 1990 | |
| babs.mac@cableinet.co.uk | Barbara MacDonald (lees) | Ayr from 1987 to 1993 | |
| www.kellabel1@aol.com | Rita Lidguard or choochy-face | 1966 | |
| dtebbutt@tampabay.rr.com | Debbie Tebbutt | Clacton in the early 80's. | |
| roycharlespfc@yahoo.co.uk | ROY CHARLES | BOGNOR IN 1987/88 | |
| martin.kelleher@c2i.net | Martin Kelleher | Skegness in 1980 | |
| adeevans@orange.net | Ade Evans | Minehead from 1991 to 1993 | |
| Name | Comment | Date | Location |
| des@djstarkey.freeserve.co.uk (D Starkey) | Can aanyone tell me who performed the opening ceremony at the 1st ever butlins holiday camp, and was this at skegness?. | 31 Jul 2002 | UK |
| willofloxsly@aol.com | I and two friends spent a week at Butlins the first year it opened after the war, it was great.I remember we went on the disputed foot-path down to the beach and went on the Brigg, coming back we had a hairy time as the tide was coming in and we had to scramble at times, I think it was 1947. Still have the badges somewhere, I have enjoyed this web-site thanks to all W.E. | 4 Aug 2002 | UK |
| charles@nationalprinting.ca (Charles Vince) | I remember when I was seventeen (1963) spending a fantastic week at the Clacton on sea camp. I met this great girl whose name was Ann or Anne Molden who came from Carpenters Park, near Watford, Middlesex. She was to get engaged to a boy named Alan. I would love to hear from her again. | 6 Aug 2002 | Canada |
| gary.duke1@bigpond.com (gary duke) | i moved to australia when i was 3 that was 38 years ago thanks for the look around clacton it was interesting | 7 Aug 2002 | Australia |
| dark@bloomberg.net | Having been brought up in Clacton (born 67) where i lived till 1990...i have nothing but great memories of Butlins. Trying to climb over the fence every saturday night to get in and try n 'cop off' with the holidaymakers.. great fun. and then having to climb back over the fence the next morning without getting caught!! all until a friend i was with lost a finger when his ring got caught on the barb wire. I had a great aunt who worked there in the ice cream kiosk for what seemed like a lifetime.. so ice cream was always free which helped no end when chatting up the mainly London girls on there hols... i also remember a fellow called rodger morgan who was something like entertainments manager or something in the late 70s early 80s.. he played for my fathers football team in Clacton at weekends and every year arranged for the team to get passes in to play the holidaymakers on wed nights during the summer.. Butlins was a great place and i think everyone in Clacton will agree! that the town as a whole died the day Butlins closed its doors for the last time.. (to make way for a crappy housing estate that is slowly sinking into the sea.) | 19 Jul 2002 | UK |
| petersykes@ntlworld.com | BUTLINS FILEY The company who now own the site flattened and removed the remains of the buildings last winter. Plans are passed for a new holiday village (cabin style buildings apparently. The reason for my entry is that the footpath running down to the beach and back along the top cliff passed Primrose Valley is constantly being blocked by this company. Initially the explanation was "safety because of heavy plant on site" but that wore thin when no heavy plant appeared. I'm a caravan owner at the Primrose Valley site and a local petition of evidence is being put together for North Yorks Council to arbitrate or whatever. The company say they own the land right to the beach and the footpath is on their land so everyone can get lost. So any photos of that area prior to 1972 (30 years use and its a public right of way) would be great. Anyone you know used the path when Butlins was open prior to 72 would be great news. Whilst I went to Filey for a couple of holidays as a child, my Butlins experiences in the late 50s were at Ayr and Minehead. |
Wed, 3 Jul 2002 | UK |
| dean@asmus.fsnet.co.uk (dean) | my mother worked at clacton butlins during late 1960s.her name was maureen terry then.does this ring a bell with any ex butlin workers especially at the souvenir or toy shop? please reply .DEAN | Wed, 3 Jul 2002 | UK |
| peachymead@aol.com (Peachy Mead) | As a redcoat at Clacton 61-64, I would love to hear from friends i made in those good old days, both ex coats and punters. I was also lucky enough to appear in many of the Hi-Di-Hi, series which re-lived those days. And it's a fact I am still appearing on Holiday Camps, excuse me Parks,In the Great Yarmouth area, but nothing was ever like those early days at CLACTON Peachy Mead East Anglia's best known entertainer | Sun, 16 Jun 2002 | UK |
| roytwicks@aol.com (Roy Wicks) | I was the Entertainments Manager at Clacton from 1977 to 1982 i have lots of happy memories of the Center and of clacton its self. I would love to hear from anyone who remembers me.I now live in deepest Scotland | Sat, 22 Jun 2002 | UK |
| g0yap@msn.com (Ian Bevan) | Nice to see a keen interest still in Butlins. My childhood was spent at Butlins Clacton as my family owned a shoe shop on the camp called..BE GAY ( a time when gay ment happy!) I have fond memories of a more simple way of life, the donkey derby's on the playing field next to the rollerskating rink. The train around the field near the boating lake ( which is the train seen on the opening titles of HI-De-HI) the vast halls, and the windows looking into the swimming pool, oooh.. HAPPY DAYS!.I would like to hear from anybody who remembers the shoe shop or anyone who remembers any of my family, Palmer or Parrott. Please get in touch. I now live in Norfolk, but still go back to Clacton, but now too full of ghosts. | Mon, 24 Jun 2002 | UK |
| Ian D, ian@bitb.co.uk | Very interesting site, my Parent's had close personal associations with Butlin's. Would be interested to know if anyone knows whereabouts of Rocky Mason, held various Management positions with Butlin's for many years at Clacton and also Filey camp. If anyone does know where he is it would be wonderful to make contact. | Thu, 30 May 2002 | UK |
| michael smith-daye,michael.smith-daye@libertysurf.fr | I see my brother John has got his two-pennyworth in about Butlin's Clacton already - but that's accountants for you. Barbara, I remember Dougie very well, he was part of my childhood. Like you, I imagine, I was brought up in the sandpit and the indoor swimming-pool: I can't imagine a happier childhood, but it seemed like it was so normal at the time, like everybody had a right to it and had access to it. But they didn't - I don't know too many others of our generation who had unlimited access to numberless full-size snooker tables and table-tennis tables, and two - count them, TWO - swimming pools! I live elsewhere now, but I grew up in Clacton and lived there for most of my life, and I remember how rude everybody used to be about the Camp during its heyday; how it lowered the tone of the place, how all those 'dreadful' Glasgwegians and Scousers and Geordies used to wreck what Clacton should have been. And then the Camp closed, and the town died an appalling death. The money and the life that the Camp brought to the town were so much taken for granted and part of the nature of things, that nobody seemed capable of imagining what was going to happen when Rank's pulled the plug: the company owned the freeholds of the land that both Clacton and Filey were built on, and it shouldn't have taken too much foresight to have realised that when they needed to 'rationalise' their operation, those two were going to be the first to go. It is, to me, an aching sadness. The Camp was a happy place: most of my school holidays were spent working there, I met people I would never have met otherwise, and I'm grateful for it. When I'm back in Clacton, and see the Martello Bay (Bay? Clacton never had a bay!) houses built on what use to be Kent and Gloucester dining halls, I can't help remembering the way the sea used to undercut the buildings that were there - I do so hope I'm not misremembering that. The town is a sad glimmer of its former self: the Camp gave it life and liveliness; when it went, Clacton became just a weird east-coast mirror of Eastbourne. BTW, I know that Mark Crosby does visit, or has visited, this site. Perhaps he'd like to send me an e-mail sometime. The same goes, of course, for Paul Rumke. | Thu, 23 May 2002 | France |
| davidhartley, odatyork@yahoo.com | has any one any pictures of butlins at filey, particularly the beach area as it was, please | Wed, 24 Apr 2002 | |
| elaine blount, elaineblount@msn.com | i worked as a barmaid in the craz horse saloon in butlins clacton in the summer of 81 it was the besr summer of my life and i would love too here from anyone else who was there at that time my name at the time was elaine skinner | Wed, 24 Apr 2002 | |
| Bill Lisle, w.g.lisle@talk21.com | My father was great frends with the staff canteen manager Billy Vitty and his wife Edna (both now sadly deceased) Do you remember them? | Mon, 13 May 2002 | |
| rita lidguard, kellabel1@aol.com | i was a redcoat in 1966 in minehead i was also nicknamed "choochi-face". i went to a reunion in scarborough this year at the grande hotel, it was nice but theire was no one from my year, which was pretty sad. if anyone knows me please email me as it would be wonderful to hear from you. thankyou all for such wonderful memories. | Tue, 14 May 2002 | |
| barbprovis@mclarenstoplis.ca | I hope to hear from other Butlin staff members who remember my father too. I was great friends with Iris Hayter and her mother. Sadly both of them have died. Iris and I corresponded for more than 30 years from the time I came to Canada in 1960 until she died. I came to England in 1994 after a long absence and tried to contact Iris as I had not heard from her for several months and she didn't reply to my Christmas card. I knocked on her door and the house appeared empty. I asked the next door neighbour what had happened and he told me she had died the year before. I was upset as we had been close friends for so long and she never told me she was ill. I thought something was amiss as my last letters had gone unanswered and I had tried phoning from Canada but couldn't get through. I couldn't find out anything else about her, such as where she was buried, exactly when she had died etc. I would have liked to have paid my respects and visited her grave but could find out nothing more. Does anyone on the Butlin's website have any information on Iris? She and I worked dining hall allocations for a couple of years together. She was 13 years older than me but we became fast friends nevertheless and our friendship continued after my family came to Canada in 1960. We laughed so much in those days, working in that cramped little office beside reception. Anyone who can help with information, or who knew Iris Hayter, I would like to contact them. I believe Iris knew the Smith-Daye's quite well. Didn't they live down Wash Lane? Thanks. Barbara | Tue, 9 Apr | Canada |
| Neilpearsons@aol.com (Neil Pearson) | Has anyone recorded the recent four part Anglia TV documentary series "hello campers" detailing the history of the east coast holiday camps? I would very much like a copy. Please help. | Tue, 19 Mar | UK |
| john@lambert-chapman.co.uk (John Smith-Daye) | Barbara Provis offers group photos of Butlins staff - how can I get
hold of them? My father was catering superintendent from the late 50's to the
early 70's - he is now 91, and a bit frail! I'm sure that anyone who remembers
Butlimns of that era will remember Father Editors Comment: I have sent this to Barbara to respond to John as I do with all her emails. |
Tue, 19 Mar | UK |
| brian@richardsonb4.freeserve.co.uk (Brian M. Richardson.) | Anyone know of any web-sites about Butlins memories etc. Also where to find old pictures broches badges old camp plans tariffs ETC.ETC. Thaks BRIAN. | Sat, 2 Mar | UK |
| paullatham@justchat.co.uk (Paul Latham) | Hi I was a butlins redcoat in bognore regis between 1994 and 1998. These were some of the greatest days of my life and I often used to sit in Billy Bulins car to have my photo taken for various news papers if anyone can remember me there please contact me. | Wed, 20 Feb | UK |
| jcrabtr2@elp.rr.com (Heidi Crabtree) | Interesting history! I am trying to find out where the 1965 film "Everyday's A Holiday" (Seaside Swingers in the US) was filmed. I know it was at a holiday camp, some of the actors, John Leyton and Mike Sarne included, play redcoats. Anyone know at which camp it was actually filmed at? I have stills if anyone is interested. Thanks from Texas! | Sun, 10 Feb 2002 | Texas,USA |
| Tue, 29 Jan 2002 | UK | ||
| GJBayliss@AOL.COM (Carole and George Bayliss) | We were both redcoats at Clacton George 77 and 78 and Carole 78 - we met and married and still together after 23 years. Fond memories of Clacton and "Reggie Browns" in Clacton centre where we spent many a Saturday on our one day off. Still in contact with John Linney and Jeff Long who were compare and life guard respectively. We have heard that Butlins are actualy arranging a reunion for Reds this year at Minehead? Does anybody have any further information? Have loads of photos of us as Reds mainly black and white. Editors Comment:- I have contacted Butlins PR agency and they are denying the rumors. It may be that someone elese is organsising one, but who? | UK | |
| Stephen Adams Editor Clacton-on-Sea Web | The web address you need for an application form and more details is onButlins Redcoat Recruitment
or you can aply to one of these numbers Bognor Regis Hotline : 01243 841190 Minehead Hotline : 01643 709638 Skegness Hotline : 01754 761502 |
Clacton-on-Sea | |
| Gemma Griffiths | I am at Thanet college studying performing Arts and have been set an assignment to research information about a career we would consider doing Please could you send me some information on becoming a redcoat for Butlins on the above E-mail address | Tue, 22 Jan 20 | Ramsgae, Kent |
| Stephen Adams Clacton-on-Sea Web | I have found a Newsletter for Redcoats/Bluecoats etc run by a Gordon Byan (now disappeared), Newsletter Perhaps those who asked how to organise a reunion could approach the Editor? |
02/09/2001 | Clacton-on-Sea |
| Unknown | Hi-di-hi was filmed at warners dovercourt bay holiday camp which no longer exits like clacton its now retirement homes | 24 Aug 2001 | Unknown |
| Tim Brown | I am after some information regarding a company called 'Hopt's Electronics' a German Company that was once located in Station Road, Clacton-on-Sea, where my Grandmother used to work in 1972 !! Can you help !!! | 19 Aug 2001 | TimBrown@berkeley17.freeserve.co.uk |
| Martin Sykes | I have fond memories as a child in the 1970`s visiting Butlins Clacton, as well as most of the others (we stayed at a different one every year!). The things I most remember where the TV rooms, giant multi-lane scalextrics, smiling red coats, and the overhead chairlifts (which used to have a great habit of stopping every now and then, with you left swinging in the wind for what seemed an eternity!) I was gutted to visit Primrose valley caravan park in 1995, which lies next to the old Butlins Filey camp, and see the remains of the chalets etc which have been just left to rot away. I had a sneaky look round (naughty, naughty!) and I almost felt upset to see it like this, as I spent so much happy time at the Butlins camps (we have loads of family pics at the camps!). It seems such a terrible waste, whoever gave the go-ahead for such action should be shot! Does anyone else feel this strongly about the once great `butlinland` empire? ... ah happy memories! :-) | 17 Aug 2001 | spaceinvader@bushinternet.com |
| HowardBober@aol.com | I was a Redcoat at Clacton from 1970 until 1975. I was the Bingo Caller in the Blinking Owl Bar. If anyone has any photos of Butlins Clacton around that time I would love to see them. I would also like to meet anyone who knows me from there. | Sat, 11 Aug 2001 | |
| Stephen Adams Editor Clacton-on-Sea Web | I have emailed webmaster at Butlins site (Butlins.webmaster@bourne-leisure.co.uk ),but as yet no reply! | Sat, 14 July 2001 | UK |
| Alan Nicholls | Do you know of any redcoat reunion being planned ? .....I was at Pwllheli 76-80 & Skegness 81-85. I do hope you can help ...thankyou. | Wed, 27 Jun 2001 | UK |
| Alan Nicholls | I worked as a redcoat at Pwhelli from 76 to 80 and as the resident compere at Skegness from 81 to 85,I was prompted to add this message by my old chalet mate Ivor Richards Pwhelli 77 to 83 currently staying with us whilst over from Australia. Is there any possibility of a reunion in the future ? or a webpage for old Reds to keep in touch ?? | Sat, 23 Jun 2001 | UK | stuart fisk | I live in clacton and even though i was young i used to love going to butlins (born in 1971) . I loved the radio controlled cars on the massive tracks and the swimming pool where you could look out the windows . I also remember baileys next door with some rides out the back , i loved the bouncy slide but thats another story. :D Good memories. I`d love to see some pics ! Anyone? | Thu, 21 Jun 2001 | Clacton |
| Alan Nicholls | Will there ever be a Redcoat reunion arraged ??? | Sun, 24 Jun 2001 | UK |
| Sun, 28 Jan 2001 | Australia | ||
| Andrew | What a great site i have really enjoyed browsing through it! All the Butlins sites were built to a certain design which was just fantastic. What a crime it was to demolish these complexes. Im only 27 now and still remember the clacton site which I visited on a number of occasions before its closure in 1983 - HOW SAD!! | Sun, 3 Jun 2001 | UK |
| barbprovis@mclarenstoplis.ca | I have many happy memories of the camps. Clacton, Skegness and Filey. My father was Camp Controller of Clacton in the late 1959's. Butlin's was in its heydey then. I spent many wonderful times there under the stern eye of my father, who ran a tight ship. He was reputed to be one of the best controllers Butlin's ever had. I also worked there when I was fresh out of school, seasonal work in 1958 and 1959, as a Bluecoat, assigned to dining hall allocations. We had so much fun. I would be aching from laughter every day. Never a dull moment. I now live in Toronto but remember the Butlin days with fondness. My father (Doug Mason) sadly died in 1988. We have a wonderful store of photographs taken over the years at Butlin's. Particularly interesting are the staff group photographs, with all the staff arranged in lines on the football field. If anyone is interested in the photos I have, I can always have them copied and mail them to you. When I was growing up in! the 1940's and 1950's, the camp was such a big part of my life. I was always warned about the Redcoats though! They were a fast crowd! My father joined Butlin's in Clacton in 1939. Then the war came and he served until 1946. He returned to Clacton and became chief cashier, eventually being promoted to Camp Controller in about 1957. | 30th May 2001 | Canada |
| barbara provis | Thanks for an excellent website. As an ex-Clactonian it is nice to check out the website and re-kindle old memories. My father used to run the Butlin's Holiday Camp in its heydey in the 1950's and I grew up in the town. Thanks again, - very interesting. I now live just outside Toronto. | 30th May 2001 | Canada |
| Oscar Pagola | Hello: This is Oscar from Spain. Years ago i visited Clacton-on-Sea several times. I was living in Wellesley Rd in Pat & Ray Salmonīs Bed and Breakfast. Actually Iīve lost their address and phone number. I spent wonderfull days with this family and all the Clacton people. I enjoyed very much your town. I īd like to send the best regards to this family. Could anyubody help me? I donīt know when, but Iīm sure that Iīll go back. Oscar. Thankīs for all :-) | 30th May 2001 | Spain |
| katherine.green | I am doing a degree in tourism and my dissertation is on how Butlins changed the british holiday. I am looking for all the information I can on Butlins from when it first opened to today. If any one knows of any books or sources of information, or has any stories that might be of help please contact me at katherine.green@sunderland.ac.uk | 12th May 2001 | UK |
| Mike |
Hi stumbled on your site brought memories flooding back well done whoever you are. I worked there for a few seasons and a friend who died recently worked there for many many years he was only 41 when he passed away he worked as a red and everything in between I live in Pwllheli and what they have done to the camp is well basically knock it flat and fill it with caravans. It will never be the same |
Thu, 5 Apr 2001 | UK |
| Neil Thornton | For uni i've got to do planning polices in leisure and tourism for england, and this web site has helped me start the work | Sun, 1 Apr 2001 | UK |
| Simon Wood | I was just wondering whether you know anything about Butlins Beachcomber bars? I understand that these Polynesian-styled bars were popular for some time and may be some of the only 'Tiki Bars' in the UK. Does anyone remember them? | Tue, 3 Apr 2001 | |
| drew fraser | Why does Butlins Wonderwest Aye closedown on last 2 years ago? | Fri, 16 Mar 2001 | UK |
| John Copley | I am studying GNVQ Travel & Tourism at Easingwold school in N.Yorkshire and would be extremely grateful if you could send me any info on why tourism increased in Britan increased after the second world war. Any facts and figures would be appreciated. | Mon, 5 Mar 2001 | UK |
| Steve Campbell | I am looking for some sites which feature pictures of old redcoats. I was a redcoat at skegness in 1991. If anyone is out their let me know. | Sat, 24 Feb 2001 | UK |
| Lita Doolan | I love your website. I enjoyed reading it from start to finish. Do you by any chance know where the Hi De Hi TV series was filmed? In the script, they refer to a camp at Clacton. I am a big Butlin fan. Best wishes and thank you for your wonderful site! | Sun, 18 Feb 2001 | UK |
| Rich | You seem to feel very strongly about butlins as i do. the way the camps were treated after the retirement of sir Billy was a disgrace. Clacton and Filey both picked the short straw. And ended up as clacton did and Filey in rubble its a disgrace. Now buildings at the remaining camps are listed buildings so they have to be preserved. but the remaining camps still have the essence of holiday camp life and no matter how much anyone trys to modernise them they will always have it | Sat, 17 Feb 2001 | UK |
| Tony Beehag | I have never been to the UK. But my grandmother lived at Clacton and I can remeber her telling me stories about Butlins Holiday Camp. This was 35 years ago, the name rang loud bells and I was glad to go to your sight to find out more. | ||
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