The responsibility for entertaining the campers and ensuring they were happy rested with a group of men and women whose beginnings can be traced to one of the first weeks of 1936 at Skegness holiday camp. During the first few days after opening his first camp, Billy Butlin realised that something was missing. The campers were not using the site as he had imagined they would. Many sat around without purpose, staying within their family groups. More concerning to Butlin, some appeared bored. Although Butlin’s provided all the facilities campers needed, it became clear that they had to be encouraged to make use of them. Later that day, or perhaps the following day, Billy Butlin was talking with Norman Bradford, a senior engineer who had worked on the construction of Skegness camp. Billy Butlin asked Norman whether he could do something to entertain the campers. Norman was naturally outgoing and fun-loving; he enjoyed making people laugh and joke, and found it impossible to resist performing for an audience.
After dinner that night, Norman went on stage and entertained the campers with jokes and laughter. He then explained the facilities and activities available around the camp. Next, he asked everyone to turn to the person on their right, introduce themselves, and shake hands. At first, people seemed a little embarrassed, but they soon did as Norman had asked. “Now,” Norman continued, “turn to the person on your left and do the same.” This time, they responded with greater enthusiasm and warmth. The ice had been broken. Across the dining room, people began chatting, and the atmosphere finally became the friendly, happy one Billy Butlin had hoped for.
