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RAY KING and EVE LACEY |
RAY and EVE |
ANOTHER KING IN SKEGNESS
After a chance comment to a friend about my having worked at Skegness, he informed me that his neighbours had once worked there. A few enquiries down the line and, in April 2007, I was put in touch with Ray King and Eve Lacey - two people I had been on the Redcoat Team with for the 1973 season at Skegness. Following a very lengthy and entertaining phone call, and the receipt of a disc containing some of their archive, I am delighted to bring you the second of this series on "REDCOAT PROFILES."
UNCLE RAY and AUNTIE EVE
Ray and Eve first met in 1971 at Butlin's Clacton, where Ray was the Children's Uncle, and Eve was a Redcoat. The following season Ray transferred to Butlins Skegness, and Eve went with him as "Auntie." They then did a second season at Skegness in 1973. In May 1974 they exchanged a temporary home at Skegness for a permanent one in Derbyshire - which they moved into as man and wife. It's not often that men marry their Auntie but, in this instance, it was quite acceptable.
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RAY KING and EVE LACEY |
RAY and EVE |
As Ray and Eve didn't want to leave the house empty during the summer months, they ceased playing summer seasons. Ray had by then completed eight seasons, and Eve three, so they considered themselves due for a change. Ray kept very busy right up till four years ago - as a Magician, Stilt-walker and Novelty Cyclist - but is now retired at the age of seventy.
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UNCLE RAY |
Eve works at Derby City Church as a Children's Minister, where her duties involve organising all the children's events. [Sounds like the same job, but different jacket, to me.] During their thirty three years of happy marriage, they have raised two children - now aged twenty-eight and twenty six, and are very content with the way life has treated them. They are also, of course, very thankful for the special times they spent at Butlins, and especially for it bringing them together. No doubt that thousands of children too will have happy memories - those of Uncle Ray & Auntie Eve giving them such a wonderful time at BUTLIN'S SKEGNESS. Happy Days!!
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Our thanks go to Ray and Eve for the wonderful
images they have chosen to share with us,
many of which can be found on this website.
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