Reception

[summer]

Now that you?re on the site why not tell us a little about yourself to give people a snapshot of who you are, where you're from, hobbies & interests - nothing too personal!
hi butlins! my name is summer my hobbies are drama music and creative stuff i like being in theatre productions . my interests include bowling, going to parties and discos, going out to dinner with my friends, going to the theatre and cinema, and my favourite interest is butlins and seeing fireman sam and titan and angelina ballerina and the skyline gang and buying stuff in the treasure shop. love summer best wishes love you butlins

[Kurt Frohman]

Sup BM! El Frohman here [not my real name lol]
Been around here before. always is a joy to read memories, particularly if they're form 2001 onwards! My hobbies consist of gaming, photography and guitar :)
Not sure how many teens are on here, but if i do find some, might be nice to coincide on holidays.

[valmos123]

Hi, my name is Valerie. I started going to Skegness on holiday with my family in 1970, the same two weeks every year! for many years. In 1982 I went there on my honeymoon (in my defence, the trip I should have gone on was to Austria)

I returned to Skegness in 2002 as a security officer. The whole entire camp had changed, and I felt the heart of Butlins had been ripped out of it. The saddest time for me was watching them taking the monorail down.

However living on site I made many friends which I now class as family. I left October 2003 to return to Dundee. Great times!!

[catmad]

Hi Val, welcome to the forum. I too felt the heart had been ripped out when I went back this year.

[Kath]

Welcome to the board - hope you enjoy it here.

[valmos123]

I have just had a look at the 2008 Skegness photos, I left five years ago, and it has changed again, some parts for the better. It appears they have spent a lot of money on plants!! But when I think about the gardens they ripped out, my heart sinks!! And where did they get the new Redcoat outfits from!!

[valmos123]

Just out of interest, if any of you are on facebook, there is a group I have joined called "Butlins Nostalgia Appreciation Group" There are some interesting photo's on there, including Filey being bulldozed. I never went to Filey, however it is very sad seeing a Butlins being pulled apart.

[JeffB]

Hi, My 7 year old daughter recently found an old magic tricks book, that belonged to my Uncle. I tried to explain that my Uncle, Brett Cresswell was an accomplished magician (Magic Circle) spent many years at Butlins, had met my Aunt (my Mums younger sister Brenda Maguire) as Redcoats at Butlins etc etc - so I googled Brett and found references to him, here on Butlins Memories.

Brett and Brenda had met via Butlins in the late 50s, Brett moved to Australia to work in the new commercial TV channels out there, Brenda followed him there, and they were married in Sydney in the early 60s - you can imagine how glamourous this sounded to a young nephew, how we used to wait for the christmas tape message, and then in the 70s an actual phone call (max 2 mins!!).
Brenda and Brett returned in 1971 or there abouts, they ran a golf club in the NWest and then a pub in London, before returning to Ayr - where Brett was Ents Manager and Brenda was in charge of Radio Butlins. This was to be my first Butlins holiday, we went to Ayr for a week, my Dad won £20 on the bingo - so we stayed a second week - heaven!

From Ayr over the winter I guess about 72, they were at the Blackpool hotel, before going to Minehead. I had 5 fantastic years holidays at Minehead, sometimes on camp, and sometimes in local accomodation.

After Minehaed Brett transferred to the offcies at Bognor, and then I think at the time of Rank's acquisition he moved to Rank, where he became effectively the Ents Director for Caledonian Holidays, Brenda and Brett jetted around the place sourcing acts, checking the hotels programmes in place such as in the Carribean and Gambia. Again all very glamourous sounding, but I think at this stage for them the glitz was wearing thin, so it was with some relief when Rank went through another re-org, and Brett managed to get out.

Not one to let grass grow under his feet, Brett became the Leisure Director at the Portsmouth Pyramids, from where there are great shots of him surrounded by celebs and stars of all generations, from the Beverley Sisters to Freddie Starr.

From there Brett moved to a relatively comfortable semi-retirement in the Bognor area.
Unfortunately Brett died in 1996, and Brenda the following year. Very happy memories for me of my Uncle and Aunty, Brett and Brenda, and of course further great memories of Butlins in the 70s.

Just to keep the family connection my sister Sue Bulmer, was a redcoat at Bognor in about 1986.

[keno051]

Nice intro, welcome to the forum pal.

[Dvinski]

Hi all,
I'm Mark
I worked at Butlins Pwllheli for 3 seasons 1979 - 1981, Mainly on the Chairlift and Amusment Park. I worked the last 2 weeks of the 79 season at Barry Island in the Kitchens. (Barrys season went on 2 weeks longer than Pwllheli's.)
I was christened Dvinski by one of my co workers on the Chairlift, he said I looked polish? The name stuck! (Only person who has ever said that to me. British through "n" through) Really enjoyed working at Butlins. Would love to hear from anyone who worked there or was on holiday there at that time and if anyone remembers me.:thumb:

[TMB]

hi, im Tom, ive joined because i need help with a pontins related topic, go to the pontins page and serarch for the report by me
thanks :popcorn:

[joeythewoey]

hello all!
im Joanne, most people call me Jo :D
im 18 years old, but i act like a massive kid! i guess you could say im like Peter Pan - I'll never grow up
im from the land of Robin Hood (Nottingham)
i had a Funstar audition with Haven last year. but due to my age (i was 17), i didn't pass them. so on 16th January 2009, at Birmingham, im re-auditioning for the Funstar position
it's my dream to work at a UK holiday camp like Haven, so im not giving up on my dreams just yet
im in my 3rd year at college, doing a Travel and Tourism course. everyone on my course wants to be a overseas holiday rep, so i stand out by being the UK lover. im proud of it tbh
ermm, i can't think of anything else :D
oh!! i used to always go to Butlins for my holidays! earliest memory i have of Butlins is in 1991 (or was it 1992?), my mum, dad and older brother went on holiday to the Pwhelli site (now known as Hafan Y Mor - i went there last year and my god! a trip down memory lane!!) and i got badly sunburnt. didn't put me off though, cause every year until 2003, we kept on returning to Butlins! i even celebrated my 13th birthday at Butlins (it was only a day visit and i was so upset to leave)
i did want to go back to Butlins in July this year, when Elliot Minor were there, but due to lack of funds in my bank account, plus i can't drive there...yet ;). i couldn't go :(

would love another trip down memory lane again though!

oh! and somewhere around my house, we have videos of the old Pwhelli site, plus some 1993 videos of Minehead and Bognor Regis sites!

i miss the monorail. used to scare me, but i still miss them!


anyways, hiii!

[redcoat wana be rose]

Heyah I'm Rose, 18 and I study Travel and tourism @ college. I have 4 sisters who also like goin 2 Butlins specially to see the redcoats and the adorable Billy Bear.:photo: I enjoy listening to the chart music - mostly pop, watching the soaps, especially Hollyoaks and I like meeting new people and chillaxing with friends and family.

I have been going to Butlins since I was one + I can't get enough of it , it's fab : ) lol
At the age of 7 , i have always dreamed of becoming a redcoat. My confidence is growing and when I'm in the resort I'm more chillaxed because I think of Butlins as my 2nd home haha. I have good knowledge of the facilities and accommodation in Skegness. I don't smoke or drink which is also a good point because I am reliable and I wouldn't need cigarete breaks or come 2 work with a hang over.

I love Butlins Skegness with a passion.

The :sleep: nightlife and entertainment @ Butlins is amazing :cheer2:

[rhiasaint]

hi my name is rhia im 22 fromalton hampshire

i have just applied to work for butlins

i use to go on holiday to butlins every year

if i dont get in at butlins i will b starting uni in sept to study criminology and forensic science

im a qualified childcare worker, i love to babysit and spend time with my friends

[happy camper]

Now that you?re on the site why not tell us a little about yourself to give people a snapshot of who you are, where you're from, hobbies & interests - nothing too personal!

Hi im Barbara nee (Mack) enjoyed Butilns holidays from the early 60s till the late 70s mum and dad worked hard all year to give us lovely holidays and the memories will live on forever.
We visited Bognor Clacton Minehead and Skegness over the years with Mum and Dad continuing to "holiday on" untill the mid 90s Minehead being their favourite camp, we got to know all the redcoats year in year out and keep in touch with many over the years I have loads of photos and names so I will get my act together and try to sort them out!

[Joy Renshaw]

Now that you're on the site why not tell us a little about yourself to give people a snapshot of who you are, where you're from, hobbies & interests - nothing too personal!


Hi guys! I was a Red Coat at Butlins in Cornwall in 1978 at the Duporth Holiday Resort in St Austell. Thoroughly enjoyed it and I am thrilled to be part of this forum and to be able to connect with fellow Red Coats.

[Joy Renshaw]

Hi I am Joy and live in Brighton. I run my own Pitman Training Centre (Business college) and I used to be a Red Coat in 1978 at the Duporth Holiday Resort in St. Austell, Cornwall.

[ragdoll]

Hi I am Ragdoll, normally known as Catrina. I am 30 and I worked at Bognor in the summer of 1998 as FOH staff. In other words a waitress. Loved every minute and I miss it. Miss seeing the shows and my friends. I can still remember singing the "Wizzard" song.
Went back in 2007 for a 4 day break with my husband to be. Loved it and I got all nostaligic!
I used to work at woolworths now I am training to be a carer.
I am getting married in 5 months.

[kaciemorgan]

Hi all!

My name is Kacie Morgan, I am 19 years old and I have lived in Cardiff for the majority of my life. I am currently in my second year of an undergraduate degree in Journalism, Film and Media at Cardiff University. Part of my course requires me to select a topic of interest to me and to find a selection of photographs, from which I will tell a story about a local person/s. As a Cardiff resident, I have chosen to study Barry Butlins because I have fond memories of visiting this place as a child, as I am sure many others on this site will too.

If anyone would be kind enough to show me some of their photographs of their time at Butlins this would be really appreciated. I can be contacted on this website, as well as on my email address morgankl1@cardiff.ac.uk and my mobile number 07814467725. Please do not hesitate to ask any questions you feel you need answering :)

Kacie

[Maureen Downing]

Now that you're on the site why not tell us a little about yourself to give people a snapshot of who you are, where you're from, hobbies & interests - nothing too personal!







Hi All,

Im a new member and a massive adult weekend fan the 60's my favorite, im from West London work full time in the Medical field. I love meeting up with friends and chilling out normally in Irish Bars and with St Pats day coming up will be celebrating the great man's Birthday in the time honoured fashion. My parents are both from Ireland and i was born in London. I have a good sense of fun and can be a bit wacky at times. Would love to hear from any like minded members.

Thanx Maur :drum:

[Maureen Downing]

Hi Joy

Just read your message my name is Maureen im a massive adult weekend fan and the 60's is my fav, love Brighton great memories im from London. All the best M.

[Mr Pogle]

Hi all, I found this site whilst off on a nostalgia trip LOL.
As soon as my boss's back is turned, I'll add a bit to the 'Corton Caravans' thread Hehehehe




Mr Pogle

[butlinbaz]

Hi, I'm Barry, 40, and live in North Wales with my wife and 10 year old son.
I am a Licensed Retail Manager and my hobbies include collecting Butlin's postcards - I've got hundreds of them!
I've been going to Butlin's every year for the past 32 years and totally love everything about it. Have been to Pwllheli, Barry Island, Skegness, Bognor Regis and Minehead - Pwllheli was always my favourite.
I admire everything about the great man - Sir Billy - what he achieved and how he was always one step ahead of everyone else. My honour to the man was to name my son "Billy" after him.
I'm looking forward to discussing many things here with so many like minded people.

[alan700]

hi i'm Alan from Leicester, I'm 22, and been going Butlins since i was 2 years old, and have been every year, i am hoping to get a job as crew in one of the performance space's this year when they start looking for staff in may, an also wanting to take a group of friends and go on one of the over 18's weekend's away this year again,

[HibbyPaul]

Hi I'm Paul. 38 years old and live just outside Edinburgh with my wife and two daughters aged 8 and 5.

Went to Butlins, Skegness for the first time as a family last year, (holidayed years ago with my parents several times) and going back to Skegness in July for a week.

Hobbies include Football, movies and DIY.

[Janey]

Hi my name is Janey, I live in Bucks and am married with 3 children most of my time is taking up with the work I do, I am a genealogist and also research for the BBC for there adoption programs, hence why I am here as I need the help of you wonderful people although I will post that on a different thread I look forward to chatting to you and if you need any help searching for a family member or a family tree then drop me a mail

[MDAV1970]

Hi,

I 1st worked for Butlins at about age 18 back in 1988. This was for the Tariff department at Southcoast World. I use to work with Matt Smith maintaning all the sites arcade & gambling machines. We use to have a great time, lived in the old staff chalets with 2 inch gaps under the front door and broken furniture. Moved to the supervisor chalets which were great as they were more like flats. Good drinking times they were, and of course the women (well i was only a young lad, what else was there to do.) After about 2 and half years, moved upto the head office working in the call centre dealing mostly with group bookings. Stayed there for a while and then when the Grand Hotel Bayswater opened moved there. That was great too, lived there, fed there partied in London. Was promoted to Assistant Front of House Manager, did 6 months as bar manager, then last was reservations manager, working with Michael Khan. The manager then was Michael Predegast. My girlfriend there was Carolyn Lidbury on reception. I left there about 6 months before they sold the hotle off with all the others.

I now live in Staffordshire working for NHS, been a hotel owner, garage owner but the best time of my life was Butlins. It would be good to hear from anyone who remembers me.

[Andy & Sue]

Hi i'm Andy and have lived in Chichester near Bognor all my life so have visited the Bognor Butlins many many times over the years.

I own a small carpet & Upholstery cleaning business which has been going now for 9yrs but hope to retire from it on my 60th. I'm 57 my Birthday is on 16th September.

Nice to be part of the Forum and i hope to contribute to later when i can find my way around.

Bye for now...:Banane30:

[Andy & Sue]

Hi i'm Andy and have lived in Chichester near Bognor all my life so have visited the Bognor Butlins many many times over the years.

I own a small carpet & Upholstery cleaning business which has been going now for 9yrs but hope to retire from it on my 60th. I'm 57 my Birthday is on 16th September.

Nice to be part of the Forum and i hope to contribute to later when i can find my way around.

Bye for now...:Banane30:

[Bunnykins]

Welcome to the forums Andy & Sue.

Look forward to reading some posts about your previous visits to Bognor and hearing your opinions in due course.

[centre stage forever]

hiya everyone!.

i'm daniel and i live in london. :)

gosh... buttlins is so awsome, i really don't know where to start. :)

i remember being there during a massive powercut and i nearly missed my entertainment at centre stage (all say aww!)

also remember the skyline really well, and the yummy food at ocean drive!.

the fairs are also good, anyone remember the mexican hat?

i'd love if possible to talk to someone who works there (like a redcoat) or someone at centre stage. :d. oh yeah.... centre stage!

does anyone remember there used to be an eating place, then you'd climb down the stairs to see the show?. when they used to have the wrestling too... and the hungry horse too!

i wish i could go back soon...

[lillybit]

hi liam
my mum has one of your records from when you were at filey. i was brought up and butlins and loved fiely and rember you as a redcoat there.
lillybit

[lillybit]

hi
i am a big butlins fan and me and my family (husband phil sons jack and tony)
go to butlins skeggy every year at the same time this year its aug 21 - 4th sep we have met quite a few friends there we met tina and andy from essex plus niclola and andrew from bristol there was also steve and his girlfriend who were getting married this year. there was also karen and her girls ellie and jodie. so we have made a few friends what we like most is our boys can go of on there own and have fun without us and we can take things at our own speed my hubby phil loves the front room i love playing bingo and we all love centre stage and que there early so we can get a good seat we all take it in turns to que as we have to be near the front as phils eyesight is failling so need to be near the front to see plus i have bad legs and havebeen told could be in a wheelchair in the next few years. it wont stop us coming to butlins thou we love it so much we spend our wedding anversay there ever year for 2 years on the trot we have won a bottle of champagne on our anvesrry so heres hoping we can do it this year. we have even joked about renewing our wedding vows at butlins you never now it might happen. if anyone goes to skeggy the same time as us and sees us sitting outside centre stage dont be afraid to say hello.
liz
p.s jack my oldest is 18 this year and has applied to work at skeggy. heres hoping he gets his dream job he will be like his dad then.

[Vicky at Prescot Museum]

Hi everyone - my name is Vicky, I'm 29 and I work at Prescot Museum (a small local history museum in Knowsley, Merseyside).

I went on holiday to Butlin's Pwllheli a few times in the 80s when I was little. I'm very proud to say I won a few competitions (First prize Fancy Dress as a Belly Dancer wearing a hastily-made outfit of beads, bikini and Mum's shredded underskirt!)

I'm organising an exhibition called "Wish You Were Here!" about the development of holidays, and found this fab website whilst doing my research.

I would love to include Butlin's as a big part of the exhibition (after all, it's a massive part of British leisure culture), but I only have a few small objects so far. Any help would be gratefully received, thanks.

[skegred]

Hi Vicky would any Butlin photos be any use from 1950s,60s, ??



Skegred Andy

[vanessa]

I have photos of Filey, 1976 and Barry, 1977?

[durrow18]

Hi, I'm Frank,
Married for 44+ years to a beautiful Spanish lady. One son aged 43.
My brother Tony Barron was the singer/bass player who played in the ballroom at Mosneyfor 27 years, first with the Neil Cearns band and then with his own band. They also played at Dan Lowery's.
Regrettably he passed away a month ago and I was astonished by the number of people (some had grown up to his music and had fond memories of him at Mosney) who came to his funeral as they remembered 'the good ol' days' when as children they had the time of their lives. Mosney was the place to go for your holiday then and Tony was regarded as a 'must' when it came to music and dancing.

[deelieta]

Well I’ve been a member of Butlin’s Memories for a few years now, but have never checked into reception, so thought it was about time I got my chalet key and became a legitimate camper!
As most of you probably know by now, my name’s Dee and I live in London. I am an avid Butlin’s fan and have been since I was a child.
From the age of about 4 I went to Butlin’s camps with my family. We went to Minehead, Bognor and Barry Island - although we went extensively to Minehead and Bognor - and we went every year. I also went extensively to Butlin’s Cliftonville Hotels in Margate.
Anyway, I could go on and on writing about my memories but will save them all for specific threads – will also get round to getting all my photos from all the camps and Cliftonville uploaded soon.
More about me - I am a teacher, teaching English to foreign students. I am happy swimming, cycling and singing. I lived in Italy for a few years and speak fluent Italian - am currently learning Greek ready for when I get my villa on a Greek Island ;-)
Anyway, That’s it for me, time to say, goodnight campers,
Hi Dee Hi!

[Vicky at Prescot Museum]

Thanks Skegred Andy and Vanessa for your kind offers. I think I'll start a new thread so I don't ruin the Reception one.
Looking forward to seeing those pics!

[tornmean9]

hello


my name is peter im 22 and live in east midlands

i have been going to holiday resorts since i was really little some times haven some times butlins and been to pontins few times aswell

i went to bognor regis for christmas last year and going to skegness for christmas this year with family

i currently dont work but plan on going to college september next year which is why i also plan on going to two adult weekends next year aswell before i get stuck down in to college


:Banane03:

[Dave Sansome]

:welcome::welcome::welcome: Dave Sansome

[dollybaby]

Hello im dollybaby , I come from south wales and have great interest in all holiday camp history !!! Ive very fond of Barry butlins/Majestic/Barry Island Resort and I am totally devestated on what became of this camp its so sad and I believe it should be here today not an housing estate !!! Im going to stop ranting now !!! I would look foward to getting to know you all very soon !!! xxx:wave:

[JackieStockton]

Hello everyone.

I have been reading through some of your posts and found them full of interesting stories. I had many fun holidays at Filey in the 1960's & 70's as a child and I know my mum has loads of photos. I might have to borrow some to scan and upload.

I also worked 3 Summer Season at Butlins, 1979 at Barry Island as a dancer in the Gaiety Theatre. Then in 1986 at Pwllheli and 1987 at Skegness as part of a trio in the Resident Revue Company.

Was at Butlins a couple of weeks ago at Skegness for a Mon-Fri break. It is all so different now, although still good fun!

[jane ferguson]

i worked at butlins in 1971 and 1972 in the dining room with a good load of friends maggie houlihan and anne mcconochie the first year the next year i went around with sandra macarthur the first year i was great friends with tam hartley from castlemilk it was one of the best times i had we were all like one big happy family it would be nice to here from any of these people again and more its a pity there was no reunion before the camp was refurbished if anybody knows of these people it would be nice to know how they are doing:Banane31::bananajump:

[keno051]

Welcome to all the new members.

[ShaneC]

Hello all

Just joined up to the forum, been lurking for sometime. Have been visiting butlins minehead since I was a kid (30 or so years ago). My wife has also been a regular at minehead. We have just come back from our 2nd visit to minehead as a family (3 children) and loved it. We got upgraded for free a couple of days before we went from gold self catering to deluxe half board so was really happy (as you can imagine).

Since our last visit the beachcomber had been knocked down and the blueskies apartments were built. We decided to take a look around the blueskies and because the kids loved the holiday so much and the apartments were so nice we have signed up as blueskies members :Banane04:

We heard that this summer they are going to have a beach football competition (which will be on the TV) and after that the site will become an ice skating rink and maybe a sauna of some sort. Also new log cabins will be built at minehead.

Anyway, hello all :D

[Angel84]

Hi,

Been AWOL from this Forum for a year or so but seeing as I'm back and posting (and have never posted an intro on here) here goes :)

My name is Lindsey, I'm 25 years old and live in South Wales. I found this site some years ago whilst still in university and posted a request as to whether anyone who worked or holidayed at Barry Island Butlins remembered my dad; who was a Redcoat there in the 60's but who sadly passed away 9 years ago. Growing up I used to holiday primarily at Minehead starting in the 80's- with either my mum or my dad (who were no longer together) this meant sometimes two Butlins holidays a year; can't be bad! :D I also visited Bognor and used to go to the camp at Barry Island quite regularly with dad; with the place obviously holding lots of fond memories for him. As an ex-employee and a bit of a 'Del Boy' ;) he knew a few "holes in the fence" (literally!) which he once posted me through for a free day-trip! We tried this once more the following summer, but much to his dismay I was too big for the hole- lol!

Nowadays I holiday legally (!) and- thanks to my mum who unbelievably booked the holiday for us as a treat (thanks mum!)- am returning to Butlins in around 5 weeks with my sister and her two children who have not yet had the Butlins experience that me and their mum love so much; can't wait!

I work as a Residential Child Care Worker in a Children's Home for kids aged between 11 and 17. It can be a challenging job but also a lot of fun- each day is different and I love it!

[crowlrod]

Hi,

joined up as I have started collecting the badges again and I guess that all you Butlins experts will be a valuable resource... how selfish!

Hopefully the collection will be of interest to you though even if i did get my name wrong (its normally Crowlord!)

Look forward to finding out some more of the background and lives that revolve around my silly little hobby.

A bit about me

Real name is Paul, im a dad of three living and working in Peterborough. I have never actually been to butlins! As a 33 year old the Golden Age was before my time.

Im a bit of a :nerd:

[claz16]

Hi

I am Steve 38 and wife Jane 38 and we have 4 kids.

We have been going to Butlins for the past 10 years since 2000 with family

Looking forward to going on hols 19 June to Skeggy

Both if us grew up on holiday's at Pontins and Butlins so should be able to provide images of seventies camps.

Regards

[Peter138]

Hi everyone.

My names Peter, and i live in Belfast Ireland. As a child, i visited the Mosney site in County Meath for over 16 years with my family and they were the best holiday memories i will ever have.
After the Summer of 1998, i posted a handwritten letter to the owner of the site, Phelim Mc Closkey, saying how much i loved the camp, and tht one day i hoped to be a Redcoat at the camp. I was only 16, but just after the new year of 1999 i got a phone call from Phelim himself saying how impressed he was with my letter and would like to offer me a weeks experience working as a redcoat! Not only that, but due to my age he would offer my family a free weeks stay in the camp for so many years of loyalty to Mosney.

The week was the best of my life, and with so much pride i wore that red jacket and worked my ass off all week to ensure that everyone there had the best holiday possible. The ironic thing is that i wish i was a little bit older to enjoy the experience, but in fact the year i worked was the last the camp operated before it was bought and used as a refugee camp.
Mosney is the only Butlins camp ive ever visited and will always have a special place in my heart. I will be found in the Mosney topics all over the boards, so i hope to see some of you soon!

[sarebear]

hello my name is sarah. we are a family of 4 from poole in dorset. we went to butlins a few years ago and are going back this november to the wwe weekend. staying half board in gold apartments . cant wait 3 days without cooking !!!!!

[cortinatobognor]

I've only just found this site and I'm very happy about it! Our family was at Butlins Bognor in 1973 and 1974 (I think) so I would have been 11 and 12 years old. Two visits, 35 years ago but the memories are still quite clear - and happy! We also visited the Pontins camps at Bracklesham Bay and Hayling Island in the late sixties. More sweet memories. Really looking forward to posting. :)

[Stevex85]

Hi Everyone.

Only found this site yesterday. I was sitting here thinking about days gone by and thought about all the fun that was had at Butlin's back in the 80's.
I started in, i think it was 1980/81 at Minehead in the kitchens, laying out the food. A short while later i went into the dining hall as a waiter.
I remember Tuesdays and Fridays was always roast chicken and then Chocolate cake to finish. I also remember all the waiters and waitresses going around collecting the chocolate cake that was left to take back to their chalets.
Always a race to get the tables set for the next meal.

I then went back to Skegness in i think it was 84/85 as a red coat. I have seen a few names on here of ents managers, like Terry Rainsford and Joe Cousins, they were my bosses at the time. Alan Nicholls was the resident compere and organised the Red show and another show in a smaller bar, cant't remember the name.

Who was the black guy who was a Red coat DJ, big afro hair style, think he was from Manchester.

After being a Red for a season, i went back to Minehead and was heavily involved in the Caravan Park project they started. I was the sale manager for it. My boss then was a guy named John ? silver haired guy.

One person in particular i would love to get in contact with is a guy nmed Paul Chadderton, black guy, Red coat from Manchester.

Anyone remember Phil (don't mess with me) the head of security at Minehead.

I could sit and right forever, but i won't (you breathe a sigh of relief)

I have pics somewhere, will dig them out and get them on here as soon as i can.

Great site, loads of memories.

Steve Elwell

ps.

For those that were at Minehead first time around, you may remember me if you were kitchen staff, as i fell off a horse and smashed my head open. Managed to keep my job too.

[cortinatobognor]

Hi Stevex85. I only joined yesterday and am not sure if the forum works like others I belong to where members welcome each other, but, ...er, welcome! There doesn't seem to have been a senior member or moderator here saying hi to new members for a month or so.

Never-the-less, this really does looks like a great forum :)

[Bunnykins]

Hi Stevex85. I only joined yesterday and am not sure if the forum works like others I belong to where members welcome each other, but, ...er, welcome! There doesn't seem to have been a senior member or moderator here saying hi to new members for a month or so.

Never-the-less, this really does looks like a great forum :)

Hi there ... and welcome to all the recent new members! I think most regulars don't tend to visit this page on a daily basis but am certain nobody meant to ignore you and they would have got round to welcoming you in due course.

I am sure I speak for all when I say we look forward to hearing your Butlins stories and memories (or even memories of other holiday camps) and if you have any old photos then please share them with us.

Warning, this site is so good it can be addictive - LOL!

[Doncaster_Dave_Skegness85]

a belated welcome to you all !

stevex85..if you have any photos from Skeg '85 that would be fab!

Dave

[discokev]

Welcome to all new members, it's always great to see new members joining the forum! :)

[cortinatobognor]

Thanks for the welcome :) I think my earlier post may have sounded a bit pointed. Sorry, it wasn't meant to. Great site! Great forum!

[Bethanie]

Hi everyone,

Just joined :) I LOVE BUTLINS. I'm going in to Skegness Butlins in 18 days! Can't wait, Hope to join in other threads :)

Beth x

[Steve K]

Hi my name is Steve K i was a Red at filey in 75-76 and would like to hear from any one who knows me.

[Gibbsyboy]

Hi Everyone. I'm Paul from Peacehaven, near Brighton. I'm married with a son (7) and daughter (2).

I've been a fan of the site for a few years now and have submitted pics into the picture gallery in the past and really love a good look around the site to refresh those Butlins memories. I have stayed at butlins for a week three times (Clacton 1980, Minehead 1984, Bognor 1985), all during my childhood and have been a day vistor to Bognor many, many, many times. The most recent in May 2009.

I'm desparate to stay at Butlins again soon (even if it's just a weekend) so that I can give my kids the fantastic memories of Butlins that I had as a child.

See you around the forum.

Paul.

[Filey83-RIP]

Hi -

Stumbled across this site a few weeks ago & think it serves a real purpose - so well done guys for taking the time to put it together.

A bit about me -

Well I was fortunate enough to work at Butlins Filey in 82 & the fateful last 83 season - although I was just a good time student on a summer job in those days I honestly don't think the camp management had any idea it was to close.

Those two summers gave me a real taste fo working in the sector, and a few years later I was back for more - working with Haven in H/O.

I have stayed in the industry ever since, and am now enjoying life with Park Holidays UK - we have 25 parks on the South Coast for anyone that doesn't know (www.ParkHolidaysUK.com)

Anyway - enough about me - I'm off to explore some of the posts.......

[catmad]

welcome to the site, enjoy.

[Russell Rees-Davies]

Now that you're on the site why not tell us a little about yourself to give people a snapshot of who you are, where you're from, hobbies & interests - nothing too personal!

Hi ! I'm Russ. I'm an ex-farmer and former sales representative and area sales manager for forty years until my retirement 10 years ago. I've been involved in part time entertainment since I was Redcoat House Chairman at Butlin's Pwlheli in 1963. After 'redcoating' I attended training courses on drama and stagecraft and played many comedy roles in dramas, operatics, and music hall. I'm still performing my 'one man show' and my act consists of singing with my ukulele...telling a few corny old jokes...and doing my funny, lifelike animal and bird impressions and telling yarns about the tramps of yesteryear. I've done over 250 radio broadcasts and made over 60 appearances in popular, top-rated television programmes in Britain, Thailand and Jay Leno show in America. I'll be on Channel 4 television almost every day in September and up till 5th. October 2009. See you then !!!

[fours]

Hi I'm Kevin and 47 years old.

I was lucky enough to go to Pwlheli and Filey between 1968 and 1975. I loved it! We didn't have much as a family but the week at Butlins was fabulous!

We were "all in" usually and Red camp was where our chalet was situated.
It was heaven, so much to do and I was usually so tired at the end of each day. I loved waking up to the tannoy and the announcer, it was so exciting for a kid of my age.

Anyway, look forward to reading all the messages:D

[Jomer]

Hi everyone my names Jo and im 18
Ive been reading the forum for about two years but never registered till now.
Ive been to Butlins Skeggy twice July 2007 and ive just come back from a 10 day break there.
Looking forward to talking to other Butlins fans!!

[Doncaster_Dave_Skegness85]

welcome to all the latest joiners!

Dave
:yo:

[Skegness_is_so_bracing!]

this perhaps has no relevance but does anyone know how top start a new thread, and could they put it simply for me:frown:

[Angelbabe]

HI skegness is so bracing have sent u a message on your wall explaining what to do. any other queries dont hesitate to ask

[Topteacher]

Hi All,

I spent all of my summer holidays as a boy at my beloved camp BUTLINS FILEY. Every summer my parents would take me away to the camp for our summer holidays. We often went 3 or even 4 times in the year and I became so attached to the place. It was the first time I had ever been given my own door (chalet) key and I was only 11. We always went self-catering and I would only see mum and dad at meal times and bed time. We would participate in the family games in the ballroom on a Sunday morning. I even got to see vince Hill in the late night cabaret! Not a patch on little rosa sung by Liam Kelly! (Still got your album in the loft Liam!)

I have very fond memories of my site at Filey and always had good family holidays there. Sadly Dad is now ridden with Parkinsons Disease and recently celebrated his 80th birthday. Mum is 79 and suffers from ill health also. However I take them away to Butlins (Skegness) every year for a week and I take my springer spaniel (Domino) with us, and we stop in the Skyline Caravan park. While it is not my beloved camp, it is still Butlins, and I love to wander round looking at the old camp featrures.

I really miss Filey, and while I agree that the camp was becoming dated at the time, I always believed that it closed too soon. I thought, back then, that they should have flattened the old chalet lines and put static caravans on like its close neighbour Primrose Valley. It would have survived, well I like to think so. I laugh when I think back at the times we used to get a PASS out of the beach gate and go visit the 'other place' at Primrose Valley. I remember the small camp shop and the kiddies rides outside. I used to pester mum to ask when were we going back to 'our site'.

Well 35 years on and my memories of Butlins are still vivid in my mind. They will stay with me for my lifetime at least. It saddens me when i get the opportunity to take mum and dad to Primrose Valley for a break and I wander off into the hallowed ground. I stand, alone, and hear the kids, the people, Radio Butlin, and smell the donuts, the knicker bocker glories and the sounds of the funfare, the beachcomber storm and of course the weather (rain!)

I was so pleased to find this site many years ago, and keep coming back to read the forum pages and look at the photos. The site admin have done a fantastic job, and long may they remain. i want to continue to visit this site for many, many more years to come. After all its a way of hanging onto your childhood!

I express my gratitude to all who take the time and trouble to upload to this site, for it brings me hours of joy and tears of sadness all the same time!

Thank you!

[wearecity]

A very nice post Top Teacher and one I'm sure many of us can throughly relate to.

[clanger]

Now that you're on the site why not tell us a little about yourself to give people a snapshot of who you are, where you're from, hobbies & interests - nothing too personal!

barry 72-75/78 plus other campsincl jersey 75/76. Now Tunbridge Wells, Kent. Asst garden centre mgr. Trying to contact other ex reds after a very good reunion in april, to increase numbers for next years

[Curlyat50]

I am not exactly new to this board but have problems logging in with my old user name. I was known as sweetdenzy. decided to upgrade a bit. now everyone will know my age. I had many happy holidays at Butlins Clacton some at bognor, Been to Ayr and Barry and Skegness. Clacton was my fave and I knew my way round that camp backwards.:target:

[Angelbabe]

Welcome back to the forum xxx

[penychainphil67]

I'm Nick

I have great childhood memories of Butlins in the 70's. I was at various:
Minehead 71
Clacton 72
Skegness & Clacton 73
Minehead 74
Clacton 76
Brighton Hotel 77
Bognor 78
Clacton 79

I think it is a shame that those days are gone but things change. I remember the 2 knights on hoeseback at the Gaiety theatre at one camp and those red plastic tubes that had your photo in. And the louges where you could see the legs of people swimming.
NickDear Nick, You have created a really good snapshot of what reminds me so much of Butlins. Those red tubes were called photo keyrings and were like a cross between a slide and a photo, with a magnifying lens one end. Also you mentioned those knights on horseback which I think were at various camps in Butlins . I remember the ones at the Empire Theatre in Pwllheli, must get round to asking Mike Onions or Rocky Mason what eventually happened to them.And also who could forget the marvellous Indoor Pool's at all the camps. Here was a great example of Bill Butlin's understanding of his campers. A really good consise picture you have painted of Butlins.Cheers,p-phil

[penychainphil67]

Hi, I'm Jan and I met my husband Pete (Lacey) during the hot summer of 76 at Skegness. We were both redcoats, Pete worked with the children and I was a general duty red. I was only 16 at the time (had to tell a small lie about my age as I was desperate to be a redcoat) and Pete thought I was 18 until the end of the season. He forgave me tho' and we have now been married for 29 years. I would love to hear from anyone who visited or worked at Butlins around this time. Pete worked there for 6 years, at Barry as well and we both did the season at Pwllhelli in 77.
Hope to hear from you soon
Auntie Jan

Dear Jan do you remember the Vance Clayton Trio from Newcatle in the Regency Bar? p-phil

[Filey65]

Hello Everyone.

My first visit to Butlins was to Filey as a 3 year old in 1965, hence my name. Over the years I was fortunate enough to visit all the camps with the exception of Mosney. The list of my visits is:
1965 Filey
1966 Ayr
1967 Filey
1968 Filey
1969 Filey
1970 Filey
1971 Skegness
1972 Skegness
1973 Barry Island
1974 Skegness and Clacton
1975 Minehead
1976 Barry Island and Pwhelli
1978 Ayr
1979 Bognor Regis

2006 - 2009 Skegness

This is a fantastic site for all of us who love and haved loved going to Butlins. I can honestly say that some of my happiest childhood memories stem from my summer holidays to Butlins and I am happy to say that my kids are now feeling the same way. My favourite camp was Filey, even though my last visit there was as an 8 year old in 1970, but I can still remember the place as if it was yesterday.

[Angelbabe]

Welcome to the forum Filey65.

Look forward in hearing all your memories and seeing any pictures you may have xx

[smelleykins]

Hello, well i joined this site really to find out as much as i can about the one big weekends which i am off to in November for the first time. So best introduce myself.

I'm Rachel, 26 from Birmingham. Work in accounts and enjoy socialising with friends, the odd drunken night and laughs! Love shopping and movies! Um... not alot else to say.
Been to Butlins Margate many years ago when i was around 12/13, when i was at school. It was a weeks break to their... cause havoc but was fab! Never actually thought of going back untill now as needed a cheap break away with three friends. Stumbled across the Skool Reunion weekend & now very exciteD! x

[penychainphil67]

Now that you're on the site why not tell us a little about yourself to give people a snapshot of who you are, where you're from, hobbies & interests - nothing too personal!

Name:Penychainphil67 alias Philip Jason.Alvers BSc Hons.
Age:52
D.O.B: 24/02/1957
Occupation: Geographer, Musician/Entertainer.
Marital Status: Married 3 Children. (All grown up)
Hobbies: Butlin’s, particularly Pwllheli (Penychain)

There are 12,000 people on Pwllheli camp, Billy, said Uncle Sid to my Dad! I can still remember that to this day. It was Monday the 26th July 1965, and Uncle Sid – being Chief Wages Clerk at my Dad’s glass factory – was statistics mad, what do you think Billy. What do I think he said, what I think doesn’t matter it is the wife’s decision to come on these main weeks because of her sister Marge! The crux of the matter was that Dad was production engineer over 2 shops in the glass factory and being high up on the staff could cherry pick his holidays if he wanted. He always argued that he preferred the latter weeks of August because us kids could get on fairground rides, the pools, chairlifts, boats etc (plus he could get his pint) much easier than the traditional main factory shutdown weeks, which were last in July 1st in August. However, Auntie Marge and Uncle Tom were governed to go on those weeks because Bryant and May were he was heating engineer had their annual shutdown on those weeks.
It didn’t bother me though because I was with all my cousins and Aunties and Uncles, and we were at the greatest holiday on Earth, Butlin’s.

We would go every year to Butlin’s and even the looking forward to going there made the summer. The night before we would go it was like Christmas Eve all over again. You couldn’t sleep the night before as a kid you were so excited. There was no virtual motorway like the A55 in those days we were coached in by Crossville from Mann Island by the Pier Head in Liverpool. Although Uncle Sid drove to the camp (Austin A40) my Dad didn’t so it was a 4-hour journey to Pwllheli (Penychain) camp. The approaches to Pwllheli were so exciting. In those days (1965) we used to have a bet, me and my brother about who could spot the chairlifts first – you could see them just as you were approaching Criccieth as you left Porthmadog. But I had a trick up my sleeve, there used to be a spider like object in the water in Tremadog Bay. I learnt later that it was a tie up point for the training boats left over from the war when Pwllheli had been HMS Glendower. So I always got in first.
We had the 2 Nan’s in those days so Dad would go to reception and book in. The Nan’s would go in the quiet chalets in West Camp (later Green camp), and we were always South Camp (later Red camp). We would take the old charabanc style coach over to South camp, or pay one of the Pwllheli trolley boys to take the luggage and we would walk over the bridge.


I could go on and on, I am still a big Butlin’s kid at heart even at the age of 52. I think that like any civilisation or Empire that has existed Butlin’s too can be defined as having different ages of influence. E.g. the post-war community singing and wall-to-wall entertainment going hand in hand with the weeks pay for a week’s holiday (master stroke by the great man himself) necessitating the All-in package holiday. Then the late 50-s and early 60’s the rock’n roll years the consolidation of the All-in package and Butlin’s was becoming a young persons destination. Then the Top Rank period, Self-catering, the 70’s Gaiety fire and the advent of the foreign package holiday.

I feel privileged to have been brought up by a good family who could afford to take us every year to Pwllheli or Filey. I always took my own children to Pwllheli in the Self-catering days mid 1980’s, when I would drive down. I feel even more privileged to be sharing my experiences of this wonderful uniquely British holiday phenomenon, with people who are equally enthusiastic about it as I am. It does not matter what era you experienced Butlin’s at first hand, everyone on this wonderful site has something in common, they all love Butlin’s.

Thank you for giving me the warmest welcome fellow ex-campers Reds and staff. I enjoy researching into Butlin’s and I was recently used on BBC Wales’ ‘Back to Butlin’s which featured Pwllheli camp in its prime. Jon Gower made this radio programme for Boomerang productions. I was asked to recall my childhood adventures at Pwllheli camp and I can supply copies or redirect you to a URL for you to listen to it. My Father also filmed thousands of feet of film of Pwllheli for 1967 –1985, these are now being professionally copied to DVD in London and a free DVD of this footage will be available from 15th October to any Butlin’s Memories Forum members as long as they cover postage. Hi-de-hi fellow campers reds and staff.P-phil.

[Bunnykins]

Wow Penychainphil67 - what a great introduction ... and welcome!

I don't look in this thread very often but I hope that others have (so that they have not missed reading these fantastic memories).

[penychainphil67]

Wow Penychainphil67 - what a great introduction ... and welcome!

I don't look in this thread very often but I hope that others have (so that they have not missed reading these fantastic memories).

Thanks BK, I feel really good that you have enjoyed my memories of Butlin's. Great to speak to you, and look forward to speaking to you soon.Cheers,p-phil.

[deelieta]

... I was asked to recall my childhood adventures at Pwllheli camp and I can supply copies or redirect you to a URL for you to listen to it.

Oh, please put the link to this URL in a post so we can all listen to it!
Thank you,
Dee x

[penychainphil67]

Oh, please put the link to this URL in a post so we can all listen to it!
Thank you,
Dee x

No problem Dee, can you give me till after the England Game say Thursday Morning? and will deliver.Cheersp-phil

[penychainphil67]

No problem Dee, can you give me till after the England Game say Thursday Morning? and will deliver.Cheersp-philDear Dee, I'm having a problem on this because of BBC Wales' copyright on the programme. However, I have sent an e-mail to Jon Gower the programme producer and he will advise me on the matter. I will be in touch very soon.p-phil.

[dustin]

Now that you're on the site why not tell us a little about yourself to give people a snapshot of who you are, where you're from, hobbies & interests - nothing too personal!

Hi I'm Dustin. I worked as a Barman at Butlins in Clacton in 1980, met a Nursery Nurse there and we've been together ever since.

Loved Clacton, woprking til 1AM, then bottle up and down the beach for a party til the morning, then straighht to the morning shift!!!

I'd love to track down some of the friends I made there, including a girl called Gerri from the Midland, Barry a tiny HGV driver from the North West, agirl from Oxford called Wendy (I think) and anyone else who might remember me!!

Having great fund searching through this site, some of the pictures really jog the old memory!!

hope to hear from you soon

Dustin




:happy::happy:

[keno051]

Nice intro.

Welcome to the forum, Dustin.

[dustin]

Thanks mate, nice to hear back..from someone..

hope we can speak again

regards

[catmad]

hi dustin, welcome to another Butlins successful partnership, there are quite a few Butlins romances on here.

[catmad]

blimey, penychainphil67, fabulous intro. welcome.

[chell]

hi, im new to the site, i must confess i havent been to butlins since i was about 5 years old, but my grandparents were always holidaying there at different sites. they are the main reason i have joined as they both died a few years ago now and my mum found 24 badges dating from 1939 to 1997 (which would of been their last holiday before my nan passed away). anyway if anyone is interested in the badges please get in touch as i know they would of wanted them to go to good homes.

michelle

[mrlovepants]

Hiya, my name is Duncan, I am 41, I am married to Claire and have 2 girls, Aston aged 3.5 and Georgie 8months.
I first went to Butlins Barry Island when I was at Middle School, won a holiday whilst there and went to Minehead. I then went to Skegness on leaving school and up until this year have not been since. This year we went to Minehead twice, and hope to go at least once a year from now on.

[NicsPlus2]

Hi there.........

Im nics i have 2 kids, amy who's 4 and brandon who's 14months....

i have recently managed to convert my fiance into a butlins lover like myself!! (about time only took 4yrs!!)

i have been to skeggy 31times in 20yrs!!! love it!! and even better my kids love it too!!

hope to get to know some of you soon!!

xx

[keno051]

Welcome to the forum!

[rocky mason]

Now that you're on the site why not tell us a little about yourself to give people a snapshot of who you are, where you're from, hobbies & interests - nothing too personal!

Hi everyone, my name is Rocky Mason, and I had the joy of spending a 30 year career with Butlin's. Every phase of my job was happy in a different way and I enjoyed my first season as a Redcoat boxing instructor. Being Chief Redcoat meant assuming some responsibilities, but was still a very happy time. I quickly became a compere/entertainer and had my own late night show "Rendezvous With Rocky". Going onto management was a wrench, but it could have been bigger than it was because I still continued to compere and did seven years doing the televised grand finals of the major competitions.Old Time Music Hall was such a big money spinner in the bars that they turned a blind eye when I continued to do chairman. Yes every aspect was wonderful in a different way and I would like to start again and do it all over!!! Kind regards, Rocky

[rocky mason]

Hiya, my name is Duncan, I am 41, I am married to Claire and have 2 girls, Aston aged 3.5 and Georgie 8months.
I first went to Butlins Barry Island when I was at Middle School, won a holiday whilst there and went to Minehead. I then went to Skegness on leaving school and up until this year have not been since. This year we went to Minehead twice, and hope to go at least once a year from now on.

Hi Duncan, please read my message (http://www.butlins-memories.com/forums/showthread.php?p=135195&postcount=346) about creating a Redcoat Roll Of honour...Rocky

[rocky mason]

Hi there.........

Im nics i have 2 kids, amy who's 4 and brandon who's 14months....

i have recently managed to convert my fiance into a butlins lover like myself!! (about time only took 4yrs!!)

i have been to skeggy 31times in 20yrs!!! love it!! and even better my kids love it too!!

hope to get to know some of you soon!!

xx

Hi Nics plus, please see my message (http://www.butlins-memories.com/forums/showthread.php?p=135195&postcount=346) about Roll Of Honour and add a few names!"... Rocky

[discokev]

Hi Rocky, I have had to move some of your posts to their own threads in other parts of the forum where they are more likely to be spotted and responded to.

Best wishes,

Kev

[rocky mason]

Thank you for that Kevin, as I still haven't entirely got the hang of things.However, considering I always ran away from PC's until a couple of months ago, I am making progess.

[rocky mason]

Hi Nics plus, please see my message (http://www.butlins-memories.com/forums/showthread.php?p=135195&postcount=346) about Roll Of Honour and add a few names!"... Rocky

The list is now getting bigger and I have to put them into alphabetical order cso anyone who wants in...Soon please..Rocky

[madaboutbutlins]

Hi
I'm Caroline, I have 4 kids from 8 to 1. My kids are totally bonkers about Butlins. We first went to Skegness in 2006 and have been every summer since and this year we went in the October holidays as well. We live in the Scotish Borders. My children think Butkins is a magical place. If they hear a song on the telly or radio that they play at Butlins they start shouting 'Butlin song'!! When the adverts start in January, they shout every time one comes on and we have to stop what we are doing and come and see. No matter how many times that is!

[vicky9may]

Hi ya my name is Vicky i am 25. I got married on the 9th May 09 to Simon who is 24. We live in Poole Dorset. Simon is an Electrician and i am hoping to start college in the new year to train as a counsellor (just waiting for an interview date). We have no children yet but are planning to start in the very near future, (Cant wait).

I have been coming to Butlins since i was a baby and i introduced Simon to Butlins 5 years ago. We go to Minehead every year twice a year if were lucky and we went Bognor for the first time in September so now we decided were do Minehead in May and Bognor in September. We had our Honeymoon at Minehead and stayed in Deluxe we loved it wer going to celebrate our wedding anniversary there every year now. We are both Butlins crazy. We need another holiday after he get home from our Butlins holidays as he wear ourselves out wee like big kids and we cant wait to have children and pass our passion for Butlins onto them.

We like walking, riding, going out for meals or take away yummy, reading and listening to music, watching dvds or tv. Simon like dance music whereas i like love songs or cheesy music. Simon likes reading about buses or trains he has a model railway in his unit it is fab. I like reading about angels and mind, body and spirit books and the odd fiction we both lovereading about ghost. We enjoying watching most haunted spooky and i like strictly come dancing and the x factor we do watch some of the soaps and we like like horror and i like romantic films and Simons like action. I also enjoy card marking whilst Simon is in his unit. We are thinking about going horse riding in the new year something i have always wanted to do. We have a westie called Toby he is my little boy and we have a bright yellow budgie called Sparky there both nuts but we love them.

So i guess that is about it hope i havent bored you.

[keno051]

Welcome to the forum, Vicky.

[vicky9may]

Thank you for your welcome message. You live in Runcorn then my Husbands grandparents live in little Sutton. I love going up to Cheshire dont go as often as we like due to 5-6+ drive up there from Poole.

[keno051]

Yeah not too far from me Ellesmere Port.

I would swop Cheshire for Poole anyday of the week.

[rache]

hi im rachael im 30 and live in fife ... i used to live in caister on sea and have worked in a few different haven camps over the years mainly bar work , used to go to butlins a lot as a child and am now getting the chance to relive this with my own children :)

[kodachrome]

oops, wrong thread !

[wendywoo]

Hi, everyone who knows me from any of the following camps and hotels, 1982
Derbyside Miners holiday camp, Skegness, Butlins Grand hotel, Llandudno, Warners Southleigh holiday centre, Hayling Island, Sunshine holiday Park, Hayling Island, Ladbrokes Kidwelly, South Wales, Ladbrokes Nodes Points, Isle of White, Haven Littlesea holiday Park, Weymouth, Haven, various Dorset and Devon camps, Butlins Starcoast World North Wales.
I would like to hear from anyone who remembers me!! :behindsofa::spider::attention::attention:

[JamesHenderson]

What's up everyone, my name is James. I'm new to the forum and just wanted to say hi.. I hope I posted this in the right section.

[David M]

Hi everyone,

I'm new to not only this great website but to the Butlins team.

I'll be looking after all social media activity on the net for Butlins such as Facebook, twitter, You Tube etc and I am also the Community Manager for Butlins Big Weekends.

I followed the Q&A session you had with Richard our MD with great interest, I hope you all found this usefull? I know I did.

I'd just like to say to the BM team and members, great work on creating and maintaing a fasinating and informative website.

David M :)

[Bionic Redcoat]

What's up everyone, my name is James. I'm new to the forum and just wanted to say hi.. I hope I posted this in the right section.(Probably not), but are you the James Henderson who was managing director of Butlins in the late 1980s?

[chor]

:spy::spy:27 years ago at 18 i left my home jumped on a train to a little place called filey did the interveiw got the job and me and my mate denty or adam ant for anyone who remembers him lived the dream

[rocky mason]

Hi David, welcome to the site and I must admit I am fairly new myself, I should think that I have been involved for around three months now. You will quickly find your way around and I feel quite sure you will have a great deal to offer. I am one of the old timers- and I mean the really old timers I suppose! Not to BM but to Butlins as a company, having joined in 1957!!! I am pleased to say I have found a number of friends from those days!! And, almost as pleasing, I have found a lot of curiosity from younger members. I am sure you will enjoy your involvement and the only advice I would give you David, is to get yourself involved. Good Luck, Rocky.

[peter stebbings]

Hi Rocky,
This is a Blast form the past.......1975/76 time .......I produced the panto "Cinderella" for the Starlight Players in Criccieth......This would have not been possible without your help and experience which was fantastic.....they are still going......I'm retired now and live in Albir in Spain and have done for the last three years......It is fantastic to be able to contact you....I think about you on many occaisions......you were in showbusiness when it was showbussiness....do take care and I hope to hear from you sometime
Peter"Stebbo" Stebbings

[rayq81]

Hi, im Ray a Scotsman living in Somerset (not a million miles from Minehead) I have been reading this site for ages and decided it was time to join in, I have lots of fond memories of Butlins and have recently bought points for the Blue Skies apartments and have booked my first week in June, look forward to chatting to you all on this great site. :biggrin1:

[Koala Terrace]

Hi, I'm Gary live in Preston. Found this site a couple of weeks back,brought back good memories. We used to go to Butlins every year when I was younger,mostly Pwhelli,also been to Minehead and Barry Island (long time ago!). Looking forward to being a part of things here.

[Dani]

Hi, I'm Dani and I live in Germany. I was around 10 times at Butlins (all three resorts) from 2004 until 2006. I also visited Pontins, a Caravan Park at Selsey and two Warner Resorts. I'm planning to visit Butlins again this year. I always liked it there and had a lot of fun. I found this page only a couple of days ago and read everything about the history of Butlins. I'm really looking forward to my next stay.

[Bunnykins]

Welcome to all the new members!

I am sure we are all looking forward to hearing your stories/reviews and hope you enjoy contributing to Butlins Memories.

[xxjo1980xx]

hi i am joanna 29 but turn 30 this year am mum to nathan 7 and emily 2 fist went to butllins july 2004 and loved it now go every year , nathan has autism and absolutly loves butlins too

[lisab1984]

Hi

We are going to butlins for my 1st time in september.

Can't wait allready

[AaronTassle]

What's up everyone? My name is Aaron. I'm from Portland. I'm new to the forum and just wanted to say hi.. I hope I posted this in the right section.

[dalton]

just thought i,d say hello too and say a bit about myself. my names jayne and im a single mum with three boys. i was brought up with butlins and loved it and now my kids have been brought up with it. im from liverpool and yes a scouser. this year i was 36 and i still love butlins the same as i did when i was 6

[rocky mason]

hiya, i'm rachel, i'm 35, married for nearly 17 years with a 7 yr old son, i live in accrington but am originaly from ashton-u-lyne.

i love writing, reading books, watching wrestling, music, anything to do with the paranormal and of course----- BUTLINS. (even though i've only been the twice, it was a place that i always dreamt of visiting as a child).

i have a cat called gizmo and a bearded dragon, called stone.:)
Hi Rachel, welcome! I see you are interested in the paranormal, and so you will know more about it than most of us. Please have a look at the postings on "The Filey Ghost" and give us your opinion!!!! Rocky