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1972
Taken over by Rank Organisation, Bobby Butlin remained as managing director.
Late 1970's
Sir Billy Butlin used to hold a Variety Club weekend at his Portlet Holiday Village. The Jersey Radio Lions were always invited to go along and record interviews with the show-business personalities that attended, and had the good fortune to be able to talk to stars such as Morecombe and Wise, Dame Vera Lynn, Jimmy Saville, Paul Daniels, Rod Hull (without Emu!) and even Telly Savalas!Radio Lions in Jersey
1977
Wakey Wakey Call in the morning was scrapped. Bobby Butlin broke the last recording himself.
1979
Butlins took over the El Griego Hotel in Spain which had Spanish Redcoats with names like Migel who organised Bingo and Fancy Dress.
June 1980
Billy Butlin dies and is buried in St. John's cemetery, St. Helier, England. He was buried dressed, in accordance with an obscure fairground showman's tradition, in a blue suit with brown shoes. His headstone is engraved with images such as a holiday camp scene,an amusement park and a 'bracing' Skegness fisherman.
It is also recorded as an event in NHS History
1983
Clacton Holiday Camp closed as uneconomic, having been run down by the organisation. At the time it could accommodate 5,400 people.
Bobby Butlin was at this time spending £1.6M in advertising to counteract 'negative style'.
Clacton had not made a profit in the last three years said Bobby Butlin in his announcement to the East Essex Gazette. The bookings for the camps for Christmas of 1983 and the Summer of 1984 were cancelled.
The council at the time were criticised for not expanding the towns facilities to cater for more than just Butlins holiday makers.
They also had not the cash to purchase the 45 acre camp to convert it into something useful.
Clacton was catering for a maximum of 6,000 visitors with a seasonal staff of 950 and providing £216,548 in annual rates to Tendering District Council. 67 Permanent staff were left without jobs.
The East Anglian Tourist Board inspected the site, but said that it was in such a poor state of repair that future buyers would be put off.
The Town started to decline into day-tripper trade, rather than week long holidays.
The Amusement Park Enterprises Ltd however did take it over, before collapsing a year later and the company was wound up at the request of the Inland Revenue.
1985 Wed 22nd May
Sale of the remainder of the Clacton camp by Websters Auctioneers spread over three dates.
1985 8th June
Clacton Sale of more of the ballroom furniture.
1985 19th June
Clacton Sale of the bar fixture and fittings.
2000
The Holiday Camp has now been replaced by a Coach Park and Housing Estate next to the Martello Tower to the West of the Town.
People still ask where the camp was!
2000 3rd October Butlins Empire sold by Rank
Memories of the early days still spring to mind when ever Butlins is mentioned.There may even be a Butlins Museum at Southwest World!
Butlins at Minehead sold to Bourne Leisure
2003 January
The Author of "The Amazing Life of Billy Butlin" , Jim Wright wants to raise a Plaque in Clacton to Celebrate his achievements
My Thanks to Goodnight Campers, the history of the holiday camp by Colin Ward and Dennis Hardy (not currently in Print)
ISBN 0 7201 1836 0
Published by Mansell Publishing, London and New York.
The Billy Butlin Story is no longer in print. But was Published by 
Chrysalis Books Ltd (ISBN: 0 86051 864 7)
Many stars were 'made' at Butlins in Clacton and other Holiday Camps.
May be you can tell us of more -
please write to use here of your memories of the Clacton Camp and it's stars.
Your Comments :
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