Latest News from your host:

17 January 2009

With Christmas over, bookings are now coming in thick-and-fast for the REDCOAT REUNION at Minehead (18-25 May). I'm delighted to announce that, among them, are DAVE & TINA SIMPSON. David's history goes back, would you believe, to Skegness 1947, and lasted many years - including several as a very popular Ents. Manager. Tina started as a Redcoat Dancer at Skegness in 1962, and went on to work at Filey, Blackpool and Ayr. I'm sure many more of you will be thrilled to know they are joining us. Dave is the second former Ents. Manager to book.

We are extremely pleased that former staff from other departments are also coming along. We have nurses, dining-hall staff, a photographer, a sound & lights man, and bar waitresses - to name but a few. Add to the mix the HOLIDAYMAKERS, who are coming back to relive those GOLDEN DAYS, and you'll see that we have something for everyone.

We are currently negotiating with a huge name-act to perform for us, but that will only be viable when we get the numbers required. So book yourselves in, then contact as many friends, family, and former staff as you can, and get them to come along. The more people who attend, the more attractions we can put on the Programme.

It won't be long now!

"A.J"

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4 DECEMBER 2008

THE WIZARD OF AUS

A couple of days ago, I got an enquiry - from someone called Andy, who also lives in Australia, and is making plans to come over. Again I found this remarkable - on two levels. The first was, obviously, that he is coming from Australia. The second is that he has never actually worked at Butlins, but has only ever been to Butlins' camps - as a HOLIDAYMAKER. It just makes you realise, that it's not just Redcoats who've had their lives touched by their time at Butlins - it's EVERYONE who ever spent time there.

I've actually had a couple of people from the Midlands who say they won't be coming because: "Minehead is too far away." After reading about Andy's travel plans, I hope that all of you who are put off by the distance will reconsider.

22 NOVEMBER 2008

Ex-Butlins Ents. Manager Books for Redcoat Reunion

I'm am delighted to confirm that former- Butlin's Entertainment Manager TERRY HERBERT, has just booked up for the REDCOAT REUNION, at Minehead in May 2009.

Terry started off as a GD Redcoat in 1956, at Margate. He ended his Butlins' career at Margate, in 1965, where he had by then worked his way up to Ents. Manager. Between years, Terry alternated between Margate, Brighton, Bognor, Pwllheli, Minehead (Winter 1962), and Blackpool. When he left Margate in 1965, he was given a fantastic bonus - his lovely wife Averil, to whom he is still married after all these years.

During those years he has toured the world as a very successful Magician and Children's Entertainer. If you've never seen Terry work, you will be able to do so at the Reunion, as one of the first things he asked me was: "Can I be in the Redcoat Show?" Terry - we're honoured that you wish to be in the show.

One of Terry's claims to fame was that, when he was Ents. Manager at Brighton in 1961, JIMMY TARBUCK was one of his Redcoats.

To learn the circumstances of just how Tarby left Butlins, and other insider stories, you'll need to ask Terry at the Reunion.

TERRY HERBERT - Magician

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17 NOVEMBER 2008

Ex-Butlins Redcoat stars on the pier

Johnny Laff is the star of this year's Christmas Seaside Special at the Pavilion Theatre, Cromer Pier. Like many of today's performers Johnny Laff started his 'show biz' career as a Butlins' Redcoat, doing what he likes best - making people laugh. He was then asked to appear with Hughie Green on the "Opportunity Knocks Roadshow" which Johnny admits taught him a great deal. After touring with Gary Wilmot, Johnny worked on several cruise ships, before returning to dry land for a tour with Joe Longthorne. For the past 12 years, he has been touring with Freddie Starr and can be seen on Freddie's video 'The Legend Returns'. When not working on-stage, Johnny works in television; appearing in series including The Bill and Eastenders.

Johnny worked with Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons, at the London Palladium; and has also supported Neil Sedaka and Gene Pitney. Johnny, like so many of today's variety performers, has always wanted to star in "Seaside Special" so, when the opportunity to headline came up, he was over the moon. Johnny has appeared in several Christmas Pantomimes, so this year will not be only a real change, but also a chance to fulfil a dream. Christmas Seaside Special opens on Friday 5th December and runs until the 27th. December. Tickets are on sale now, and selling fast.

[The above item appeared in the North Norfolk News on 05 November 2008]
NORTH NORFOLK NEWS

Guess what? Johnny will be spending the full week with us,
at the Redcoat Reunion at Minehead - as "Camp Comic,"
and will also be appearing in the "REDCOAT SHOW."
But don't wait till then, go and see him at the Cromer Pier Theatre

Go to this link:
CROMER PIER THEATRE

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CALL UP THE BAND

Sunday 2 November 2008

Hello Team-mates!

Well! Things are moving on apace. Getting people to book is like the "empty dancefloor syndrome" - whereby hundreds of people may be sat around, meaning to get up and dance, but then say to themselves "Let's stay here until the dancefloor gets full - and THEN we'll get up." Obviously this doesn't work. You have to get up NOW, which then encourages others.

Thankfully, many of you realised this, and have booked. Not only did they confirm, but they also got the £15 per person DISCOUNT, which officially ended on 31st October. However, for those of you who were "hovering on the edge of the dancefloor" (to keep the analogy going) I will extend the £15 per person discount till 7 November. So get your deposit off to me - IMMEDIATELY.

On Friday, I spent an hour negotiating with a Dance Band, to come and play for us for TWO NIGHTS. All us older Redcoats are used to spending our evenings in a huge Ballroom, with a large Dance Band playing LIVE Music - so this will really transport us back to those great times. The catch is, is that we have to have a certain number of Guests to be able to afford the Band. So! Once again I would urge you to BOOK IMMEDIATELY so that we can add the Band to the programme.

The more people who attend, the more attractions we can add.

We also need you to bring as many friends and family along as you can muster, as we want to generate a fantastic atmosphere.

So come on - YOU REDS. Get those old persuasive skills working again.

Happy Days!

"A.J"

MINEHEAD PIONEERS

Tuesday 21 October 2008

Hello Teammates!

  I recently did an article about the Filey Redcoat team of 1973, when three of its members came along all at once. (See below: "People are Like Buses"). Well! the story has repeated itself, but this time with Minehead. First  of all I got an email from Alf Hill, who was Uncle Arthur at Minehead in 1963, then Robert Walker - who was on the first ever Redcoat team in 1962 (See below "Redcoat Responses"); and now I've just been contacted by Selwyn Bowen, who started at Minehead for the Christmas of 1963, then came back for the Easter of '64. Amazing that three Redcoats, who were at Minehead over 45 years ago, should all turn up within such a short space of time.

  Because of the great response we've been getting, the accommodation on Special Offer is going VERY fast. Therefore, the DISCOUNT we offered, if you pay before 1st December, has now had to be brought forward. If you still wish to take advantage of the DISCOUNT OF £15 per person, currently on offer, you will now need to book BEFORE 1st November. That still gives you 10 days, so get your forms off quickly. Go to BOOKING FORM 2009.

We're still recruiting for our Redcoat team, to do Redcoat duties at the Reunion, so put in your request to be included ASAP.

All for now. Keep 'em coming.

Happy Days!

"A.J"

REDCOAT RESPONSES

Monday 13 October 2008

Hello Teammates!

  Well! We've had nothing but positive comments for the whole premise of the next Redcoat Reunion - i.e. running it as a 70s themed-break; having Redcoats on duty throughout, and admitting holidaymakers as well. Just to clear up a point: we're not letting in the people who are booked into Butlins itself. The "holidaymakers" referred to will be the ones who book through us as "Guests" for the Themed-Break - those who have a special desire to re-experience those Butlins' days of yesteryear, and to meet their favourite Redcoats, Comperes, and Entertainers from those years.

   As for the Redcoat Team, we've already recruited 1 Ents. Manager (no guesses there); 3 male GD Reds; 1 Hostess; 1 compere; and 1 Radio Butlin announcer. If you are keen to join our team, you need to book up quickly.

  On a general note of interest, Butlins Minehead opened in 1962. One of the first Redcoats to confirm he would be attending the Reunion was Alf Hill, who was "Uncle Arthur" at Minehead in 1963. I thought this was wonderful - having someone with us who's history with Minehead goes back that far.

Finally, you need to book up pretty quickly if you want:- 1) the accommodation which suits you and your party best. 2) to take advantage of the current DISCOUNT of £15 per person. 3) to apply to be on the Redcoat team. 4) to reserve your place before we open the doors to "Holidaymakers."

Looking forward to confirming your booking,

Happy Days!

"A.J"

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21 September 2008

Well! after months of searching, and then weeks of negotiations:

WE'VE DONE IT!!

We've booked BUTLINS MINEHEAD for the next:

REDCOAT REUNION

We have done a fantastic deal with the Management of Butlins Minehead, which includes exclusive use of the CRAZY HORSE SALOON - a THEMED VENUE, which has been used to entertain Butlins' guests for over four decades. You'll be delighted to know that "The Crazy Horse" has its own dancefloor - in fact, it was formerly the Olde Tyme Ballroom - so we will be putting it to good use for a revival of Olde Tyme, Modern, and Ballroom dancing. We're even having TEA DANCES - with your favourite dances being played on 12" vinyl, just like in the old days.

We have a full programme of events, to include most of your favourite games and competitions - both indoor and outdoor. And not forgetting, of course, that you will be able to enjoy whatever entertainment and facilities are laid on by Butlins itself. We quite understand that you may not want to spend all of your time in our venue, and that places like discos and other bars may, at times, be more to your preference.

Our venue also has its own stage, and all those ex-Reds attending will get the chance to perform on it. Not only will there be a TALENT SHOW, but also a fully-produced REDCOAT SHOW. For those of you who don't have an act, as such, there will be the opportunity to take part in the various classic Redcoat sketches. Or you may be allocated emceeing duties, as we will be rotating different Comperes between the various Games and Competitions.

This time around I'm building a REDCOAT TEAM - and YOU COULD BE ON IT. Yes! Those of you who were Reds before, will have the opportunity to put on that world-famous jacket again, and help run the Entertainment Programme like you used to do in your former life. (I will give details of how you can become a Redcoat, a Compere, and/or be in the Redcoat Show, when your booking has been confirmed.) The accent is on getting as many Reds involved as possible. However, if you just want to stand back and enjoy the holiday - that's fine. It's YOUR CHOICE!!

So all-in-all, we have the makings of a VERY SPECIAL, VERY EXCITING, and VERY NOSTALGIC event.

DON'T MISS IT!!

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8 September 2008

PEOPLE ARE LIKE BUSES

Remember the above photo, on the page titled "RANDOM REMARKS"? I used it to highlight the fact that the Filey Redcoats were conspicuous by their absence at the 2008 Redcoat Reunion at Skegness, and hoped that they would surface for the 2009 one. Well, we've all heard the old saying: "They're like buses: You get nothing for ages, then three come along all at once." Well that is exactly just what has happened. On Thursday I met up with not only Johnny Laff, who is on the above photo, but Mike Jerome as well. And then, just two days later, I got a phone call from Carole Cooper, who is also on that very same team photo. (Centre row - 4th from left.)

I met Mike Jerome at the end-of-season party at the Westcliffe Theatre, Clacton, where he had been lead comic in the 6-week Summer Show. My old mate Johnny Laff, who I've been mates with since we were Reds together at Skegness in 1974, took me there, as he was being introduced as next season's principal comic at this Clacton theatre. This is an amazing coincidence when you think about - 2 Filey Reds being principal comic at the same theatre in consecutive years. Great too, to think that they are still working comics, 35 years after their apprenticeships with Butlins.

And after speaking to third member, Carole Cooper, I next spoke to a fourth member, Kelly Kelleher, who is sat directly in front of Carole on the team photo. I'm delighted to announce that ALL FOUR are about to attend the next Reunion in May 2009. So come on, you ex-Filey Reds, I've started you off with four of your members, let's see a lot more of you joining the ranks.

Contact me at REDCOATS REUNITED

Meanwhile, for ALL ex-REDS, from ALL camps and Hotels, keep watching this space for details of the 2009 Reunion.

IT WON'T BE LONG NOW!

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29 August 2008

CHANGE OF LOCATION

Hello Gang!

Ever been house hunting, and you just keep looking at more and more properties until you find one that ticks 10 out of 10 boxes? Well that's what I've been going through since you last heard from me. I had set my sights on us all going to the Metropole Hotel, in Blackpool; BUT, alas, they're undergoing a £5 million refurbishment programme and, though the rooms will be ready in good time for May 2009, they couldn't guarantee the Conference and Banqueting Rooms would be finished. So, we've put the Met' on hold for another time, and what a great venue it will be when we do go there.

Meanwhile, after months of searching, on every coast and in every city, I believe I've found a venue that comes as near as we're likely to get to ticking all those boxes. It's just a matter now of agreeing on all the fine detail, then we'll release details on or before 21st September 2008.

In my last posting I asked you all to send in your preferences for whether you wanted a mid-week or a weekend break. Thank you to all those who responded. Would you believe that the voting was split exactly 50-50? This meant that, whichever I plumped for, I couldn't help but eleminate 50% of you from attending. So, GUESS WHAT?? We're going to do BOTH. Yes! a weekday AND a weekend break. For provisional details go to the link immediately below.

Meanwhile, keep all those emails coming, and let's have some more photos off you of the various Butlins Camps and Hotels, and the 2008 Redcoat Reunion.

Happy Days! - "A.J"

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Newspaper Coverage

A few newspapers printed the publicity blurb I sent out for the 2008 Redcoat Reunion. Below is one example.

SHEFFIELD STAR

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