ValuerJim 277 Posted February 24, 2016 Report Share Posted February 24, 2016 As a relative newbie, I haven't trawled through all of the topics on this site, but I am surprised there is no mention of Butlins on this thread. I landed a summer job at Skeggy around 1964, but was held to ransom by my girlfriend - the song of the moment was 'It might as well rain until September' - who suspected, quite rightly, that I might go on the pull. I turned the job down, and married her four years later, and we are still going strong. But I still occasionally look back and wonder...... 4 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
carni 10,094 Posted February 24, 2016 Report Share Posted February 24, 2016 We had some great holidays at Skeggy Butlins in the 70s when the kids were younger. Half a dozen familes would go and all get chalets next door to each other. We had some happy times, wore the kids out in the day and had Chalet Patrol at night. Little did we know that the kids had worked out how long it took the patrol to pass by, and as soon as they had gone by, they would all run amok in and out of the chalets and diving under cover when the patrol was due past again. Of course, when they grew up and confessed, we all had a laugh. On the last night to have a final rebel, lots of the late nighters would jump fully clothed into the open air pool. We used to enjoy the Oompah Bands in the "Beer Keller", but I can't remember which Butlins it was. We holidayed at Minehead, Skegness and Pwllheli and Ayeshire. We loved the atmosphere in the Pig and Whistle, got some great photo's and memories of that time. Later in the 80/90s Chris and I would go for the 1960s weekends, and saw lots of the 60s bands performing. Freddie and the Dreamers, Marty Wilde and Dave Berry were impressive, but many, many more, they all created a great atmosphere, we would just walk from one venue to another, dancing and partying all night. Loved It all! EDIT. When I was 50 in the 1998 we treated ourselves to Mon-Fri at the Butlins Hotel in London, Bayswater? before it closed and had a fantastic time,my first stay in London and I thought it was amazing. 8 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Michael Booth 7,364 Posted February 24, 2016 Report Share Posted February 24, 2016 Nice post, carni. ValuerJim, there has been mention of Butlins because I put a post on braggi mentioning that I won a gold medal in a 'Dads' race at Butlins, Skegness. I can remember being disappointed because it wasn't on Nottinghams Central News. 5 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ValuerJim 277 Posted February 24, 2016 Report Share Posted February 24, 2016 Never tried Butlins, Carni. Was it just like Hi de Hi? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
carni 10,094 Posted February 24, 2016 Report Share Posted February 24, 2016 It might have been in its early days, but not when we started to go in the 70s. Though I do remember doing the three legged race and wheelbarrow race on the Green. There was a Donkey Derby as well, and Glamorous Granny contests. Ya Know, I think it was a bit Hi de Hi. Lol. My memory fades in a flood of " What was it then, Oh yes..... Bitter and Lime" Good times. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
OrphanAnnie 296 Posted February 25, 2016 Report Share Posted February 25, 2016 I worked at Skeggy Butlins the summer of 1974, went up with my friend on the spur of the moment as they were recruiting at the Labour Exchange on Castle Boulevard. She only lasted a couple of weeks but I did the whole season, I worked in the rock shop. The whole time I was there never went near the beach once, however we did join all the nightclubs. In those days you had to pay a joining fee and couldn't come back for 48 hours, they must have made a fortune out of folks on a week's holiday. Quite a few of the pubs had signs up 'No Butlins Staff' but don't know how they knew us. We were banned from The Hildreds Hotel (now a shopping centre I believe) and the Cherry Tree amongst others. Had a whale of a time, earned £12 a week. Spent most of it in the Pig and Whistle, on a night out we knew what time it was by what song was being played in the bars! It was very Hi De Hi with 'radio Butlins' playing the same songs every morning over the tannoys, 'Kung Foo Fighting', 'When Will I See You Again' and 'Rock Your Baby' must have been worn out. The drink of choice was Snakebite or Black Velvet I recall. Happy days!!! 4 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Tompa 285 Posted February 25, 2016 Report Share Posted February 25, 2016 Alls well as long as you don't look back in anger. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
MargieH 7,607 Posted February 25, 2016 Report Share Posted February 25, 2016 We go to Skegness Butlins most years for 'Spring Harvest' at Easter time. It's a huge gathering of thousands of Christians and others associated with them (like Youth Clubs) and we always have a brilliant time. There are talented worship bands, loads of really interesting talks/seminars - some on controversial subjects, plus the usual amenities on the Butlins site with an amazing leisure pool complex, snooker hall, table tennis, and good accommodation! We also sometimes have a short break there at other times, because we love that part of the east coast anyway..... memories of our childhood, youth and early married life with our children. 5 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
denshaw 2,872 Posted February 25, 2016 Report Share Posted February 25, 2016 Butlins do some great weekend breaks, 80s and soul weekends are very good. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
carni 10,094 Posted February 25, 2016 Report Share Posted February 25, 2016 Not forgetting Biker Week. During our years of having a Caravan on Skegness Sands, we often found ourselves at the van during the Biker Break. The roar of the bikes always got our Adrenalin going and we saw some fantastic stunts. The Bikers used to ride their fabulous Bikes up and down the road into Skeggy and back, showing off their "Pride and Joy" to everyone and they were never a nuisance, always quietened down at a decent time. http://www.motorcyclenews.com/news/2015/october/mcn-live-2016-book-your-place-now/ 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
FLY2 10,108 Posted February 26, 2016 Report Share Posted February 26, 2016 As a kid, I always had a holiday away . Early memories are of mum and me , an Aunt and two cousins at Trusthorp camp near Mablethorpe. Then later my great Aunts hotel at Teignmouth. Parents then bought a touring caravan, and joined the Caravan Club. Mid 50's. When I had a family, early 70's , I too bought a tourer and joined the CC. Fabulous holidays at West Runton, Sandringham, Widemouth Bay, Chacewater and loads more. Brilliant days. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
benjamin1945 16,166 Posted February 26, 2016 Report Share Posted February 26, 2016 Great Topic Compo,........ive just spent best part of an hour going thru it again,...............someone said we all probably met in the 50s/60s on them roads in the photos in Skeg and Mablethorpe..........i reckon most of us are related,judging by the photos of our parents,Grandparents,Uncles and we all seem to have a mysterious Aunty hanging about whose name we can't remember,..........bet they could tell us a tale if they were about today......lol. 5 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Posted February 26, 2016 Report Share Posted February 26, 2016 The one and only time I went to Butlins ..Eric Delaney was kettle drumming to Cockles and Muscles!! Never again: told my Mum I'd rather cut the grass and watch the Whirleybirds! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Michael Booth 7,364 Posted February 26, 2016 Report Share Posted February 26, 2016 I'll bet your Mum was really pleased with you after spending all that money, Ian. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
benjamin1945 16,166 Posted February 26, 2016 Report Share Posted February 26, 2016 Nice one Ian,.......just convinced my 3 yr old Grandson that 'Helicopters' are really Whirleybirds..............and i'd forgot all about 'Eric Delany'...........lol. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Posted February 26, 2016 Report Share Posted February 26, 2016 Permanently etched Benjamin, this bald geezer whacking the drums,watery beans,TopDeck limeade,I moaned all week-'lost a shilling and found a tanner'face. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
MargieH 7,607 Posted February 26, 2016 Report Share Posted February 26, 2016 Who is/was Eric Delaney? Can't be bothered to google him - I'll just wait for one of you knowledgeable people to tell me Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Michael Booth 7,364 Posted February 26, 2016 Report Share Posted February 26, 2016 Here's a snippet from Wicki, MargieH. Delaney was born in Acton, London. Aged 16, he won the Best Swing Drummer award and later joined the Bert Ambrose Octet which featured George Shearing on piano. During 1947–54 he appeared with the Geraldo Orchestra and filled his time with regular session work in recording studios and on film, TV and radio. In 1954 he formed his own band and later signed with the new Pye Records label. He made three Royal Variety Show appearances, the first in 1956. Delaney specialised in up-tempo dance hall music, often carrying a rock 'n' roll label but closer in spirit to that of Geraldo and Joe Loss. As with many similar artists, the music he performed became less popular after The Beatles entered the musical scene. He remained active touring in the UK, notably in holiday resorts, nonetheless. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Posted February 26, 2016 Report Share Posted February 26, 2016 Thanks Michael, Ian. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
benjamin1945 16,166 Posted February 26, 2016 Report Share Posted February 26, 2016 Always remember as a kid,.Dad locking the house up before we went to Rhyl,then getting a Streamline Taxi to Midland station,he even made a point of informing the Police that the house would be unoccupied for 1 or 2 weeks,............we never had a burglary on the old Bestwood estate.........we had nowt to pinch,but Dad always did it.........God bless him............. 3 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Chulla 4,946 Posted February 27, 2016 Report Share Posted February 27, 2016 #213. Wasn't the Eric Delaney number Orange and Lemons? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
OrphanAnnie 296 Posted February 27, 2016 Report Share Posted February 27, 2016 #220 - we used to get amy mail held by the Post Office while we were away too, wonder if they still offer that service? My brother DJs on the 60's weekends at Butlins, always a great time. I think they've been cut back a bit as the bar takings weren't so high - everyone enjoying the music and dancing too much to drink a lot!! Top Deck Limeade - nasty..... 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
TBI 2,351 Posted February 27, 2016 Report Share Posted February 27, 2016 #220 Benjamin, me and mam used to go to the police station on Queens Drive to let them know we were going away. She said the local bobby would check the house whilst we were on holiday. Funny, but in all my years as a kid and teenager, I can't ever remember seeing a policeman on the beat in the Medders. I remember Top Deck limeade and lager and they did shandy too. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Cliff Ton 10,473 Posted February 27, 2016 Report Share Posted February 27, 2016 Always remember as a kid,.Dad locking the house up........,then getting a Streamline Taxi to Midland station,he even made a point of informing the Police that the house would be unoccupied for 1 or 2 weeks,............ I remember us getting a Streamline taxi, and my dad doing the police station thing. Even then I used to wonder if the police paid the slightest attention to what he'd said. In my younger years on Clifton I don't think I ever saw a policeman on our road. I don't suppose they all started coming round when we were away. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
benjamin1945 16,166 Posted February 27, 2016 Report Share Posted February 27, 2016 Same on Old Bestwood estate cliff-ton,...........think Dad let em know to keep my very 'Houseproud' Mam happy......she loved her 'Brasses'....... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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