Ladbrokes Holidays

[Befo76]

Anyone ever holiday in the old Ladbrokes camps in the mid 80s? IOW camps and Caister for example

[Bionic Redcoat]

In 1980 I worked at Pontins South Devon, in Paignton, just down the road from Ladbrokes Devon Coast Country Club. I sometimes used to go there on my night off. It was one of only two Ladbroke camps that were full board, the rest were self catering. It was very posh, guests even had to dress for dinner!

Last I heard it had been demolished, and is now a housing estate (now that's unusual!).

I have attached the cover from the 1980 entertainment programme.

[Smileysal]

Devon Coast was then taken over by Warner Holiday. Was the last year of it being a family centre in 1990, then in 1991 it was adult exclusive. Shearings took it over in 1993, and it was only open for a year then they closed it. Then place was bought for housing. Loved it working at Devon Coast. Things had changed a lot since it was an exclusive Country Club.

When it was a country club, there used to be fields opposite the camp on Smallcombe Road, with Riding stables that belonged to the camp. Sadly they'd gone years before. Houses are there now as well.

Shearings also bought Sussex Coast holiday village, Middleton-on-Sea, and that one only stayed open for a year under them as well. Another damm housing estate. grrrrrrrrrrrr!!!!

Stayed at Caister centre when it was two separate centres. Both owned by Ladbrokes. As you're looking to the sea, the camp on the right was Silver Sands and the one onthe left was Caister. That was around 19 years ago, when there was a marching band competition.

Cheers,

Sal

[Befo76]

think i stayed there summer 87 and seem to remember it was set up the same. Also stayed at Nodes Point, Lower Hyde and Fort Warden on the IOW. Seems a long time ago now though ....

[CurlyTherms]

Went To Caister When It Was Ladbrokes Back In 1985 When They Used To Have The Lions Club Disabled Week There. It Was Only About ?84 Full Board.
It Was A Lot Different Then.
There Was A Ladbrokes Camp In Sussex At Middleton On Sea Which Was Part Destroyed By The 1987 Hurricane.

[Roy S]

Went to Caister in the early Eighties, my main memory was the entertainment - same every night, different derivatives of some twins band - can't remember their name.

[glenjarnold]

Originally Posted by Roy S

Went to Caister in the early Eighties, my main memory was the entertainment - same every night, different derivatives of some twins band - can't remember their name.

Yes it was the Lees Twins!! We started going there in 1981, right through till 1987. The first 3 years was my Parents, Grandparents, sister and my best mate. We used to take 2 cars , and stop near Kings Lynn on the Saturday morning (always spring bank week in May) at the Little Chef for breakfast. Me, Pete (my mate) and my sister used to then drive on ahead of the rest and get there quite a while before the others. And we always used to be a couple of hours too early to go in the chalet, so it was straight into Neptune's Palace for some beers! We used to love Neptune's of a night, and always end up drunkenly trying the rides at Fort Caister afterwards! Then in 1984, 85 and 86, we had 2 chalets, 160 and 161, I seem to remember, right opposite Neptune's on the corner! My family had one chalet, me and 3 or 4 mates would have the other. My mum always fiddled it somehow 'cos I'm sure there was a ban on all male or female parties in one chalet, and there was 4 or 5 of us lads in one! A great vantage point it was in those chalets for pulling birds too! I also remember the football games on the pitch somewhere in the middle of the camp. Very disorganised but great fun...there was always this bunch of lads (from London or Essex I think) nearly all Tottenham fans, who always came the same year as us and played in the football. And there were always 100's of Mods/Scooter lads in Yarmouth itself at Bank holiday in May. They were a great bunch, we used to drink in the pubs on the sea-front with them and they were no trouble at all. And one of my other greatest memories was in 1984. We'd just piled out of my car into 161, turned the Ghetto Blaster on in the chalet, and picked up Laser 558, just 2 days old, and one of the greatest radio stations EVER! Shame they were forced off the air!
PHEW!! I think that's it for now! Anyone else remember any of all this lot?

[glenjarnold]

Oh, by the way, we've booked up to go again next May (same Spring Bank week) after a gap of 20 years...many happy returns! A bit miffed though..when we booked it was as full board (buffet breakfast/dinner) Then yesterday we got a letter to say they don't do full board all of a sudden. We've now been offered ?10 voucher a day each to get food at one of the cafes on the camp, or a full refund, or transfer to a full board camp in Wales...I don't think so, and honestly, what is ?10 gonna get you for breakfast AND dinner at camp prices?? And all this after we've already paid up!