REDCOAT RANDOM REMARKS

02 September 2020

MINEHEAD HERE I COME!!

I'll be at Butlins Minehead Friday 3rd to Monday 6th September. Hope to meet up with as many Redcoats and Ents. Staff as are in the area. Drop me an email at redcoatsreunited@aol.com and give me your mobile, if you want to arrange a meet.

If you know my mobile - well done!! I haven't got a clue.

Hoping very much to meet up with my old Ents. Manager - Alan Ridgway. Love that man! Great boss!

Will do a mini-report when I get back.

Happy Days

"A.J"

26th July

BUTLINS BOGNOR - BEEN THERE - DONE THAT!!

Am now back from Butlins Bognor, where it was great to meet up with other former Butlins Entertainments staff. Following a posting on this site that I would be there, three ex-Butlins staff also booked in. They were the ever-happy FRANK WORRALL, who was a Redcoat and House Chairman at Butlins Barry in 1969; his charming wife MARIAN WORRALL, who actually met Frank during the season at Barry, where she was a Nursery nurse; and third in our quartette was DAVID MOOREN, who did several seasons for Butlins, working every Camp except Skegness, as Stage Manager. And what a delightful trio of holiday companions they turned out to be.

First person we met up with was ROGER BILLINGTON, who very kindly gave us privileged access to the Butlins Archives - a vast treasure trove of Butlins memorabilia. Among the highlights was watching 1937 footage of the Skegness Camp. Amazing stuff! Until very recently its existence was totally unknown. Roger Billington has several years as a company man, and many Reds will remember him as their Entertainments Manager - Barry Island 1970-71.

The archive room got smaller and smaller as more friends piled in to meet up. First on the scene was RON STANWAY, who, if anyone can be called a 'Butlin legend', it's him - of whom more later. Next to pop in was KENNY JONES. Kenny too has a few decades with Butlins under his belt. He started off as a Redcoat in 1975, and still works in the capacity of Road Manager for one of the visiting acrobatic troupes who play the three Butlins Resorts.

When Roger had to shut up shop, David and I got to have an hour's chat with Kenny, over a coffee (at £2.40 a cup, we weren't going to buy TWO - hot, cold or otherwise!), and it was easy to see why this bubbly, cheeky-chappy, happy-go-lucky lad had been so popular with Campers over all those years. To see Kenny as a Red, use this link: KENNY JONES - Skegness 1988

Wednesday noon, David, Frank, Marian and I walked along the seashore, to have lunch at a local hostelry. There we met up again with the man himself, RON STANWAY, who had brought with him his lovely wife SHEILA. Ron and Sheila, too, are another "Butlins Couple." They met and were married at Pwllheli in 1967.

Joining us were two more "leg-ends" - KEN HOPSON and JOAN HINDE. Ken's name will ring bells with hundreds of ex-Entertainmant staff, as he did THIRTY-SIX years with Butlins - including Ents. Manager at Filey 1968. And Joan Hinde has been an ever-present on the Cabaret and Theatre circuit for more years than she can remember, as "Britain's Foremost Trumpeter Entertainer." As can be imagined, in company like that the stories come thick and fast.

KEN HOPSON - Pwllheli 1965

With good food, and great company, the time passed all too soon, and we had to rush back to the Camp to get our "EVENING" meal. How many times have you done that in your life - had to excuse yourself from a meal table, because you had another meal to go to?

Thursday morning found us round at Ron Stanway's immaculate home, which is within walking distance of Butlins. There we spent a few very pleasant hours going through his personal albums of Butlins photographs and memorabila. What was amazing to discover was the number of events, tournaments, and competitions which Ron Stanway actually invented and instigated, and which ran on all Camps for many years.

Upon leaving Ron, we went to the local St Mary's Church, and paid our respects at the gravestones of Brett and Brenda Cresswell, and Frank Mansell, among others.

Regarding our break at Butlins, it would have been nice to have looked in on the Camp, and found what was there in the seventies. It would also be nice for me to look in the mirror, and find the hair that was there in the seventies. Unfortunately, very little of both remain, and I have to accept that. So what's there now?

I have to say that everyone concerned with the transformation of Bognor deserves huge credit. The site is spotless, and everything looks finished, unlike Skegness where there are huge areas of derelict and unsightly wasteland. The new Ocean Hotel looks very impressive, and is set off by attractive landscaping, and a water feature fronting it. All the staff were very friendly, and seemed delighted to be working there.

FOOTNOTE: It was amazing to think that, between Ron Stanway, Ken Hopson, Kenny Jones, and me, we have OVER 100 HUNDRED YEARS OF EMPLOYMENT WITH BUTLINS. (They have 99 years, and I have 2.)

("A.J" Marriot)

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17 July 2010

BUTLINS BOGNOR

Thanks to all those who responded to my appeal to meet up at BUTLINS BOGNOR next week. I'm looking forward to meeting Ron and Sheila; Ken and Joan; Frank and Marian; Sylvia and Shirley, David, Roger, Kennie, Terry - and I few little surprises, I hope!

Will do a report when I get back.

By the way, I've never been to Bognor, so I'll be interested to learn how much of the seventies camp remains.

Happy Day!

"A.J"

23 June 2010

BUTLINS THEATRES

There is a wonderful high-gloss magazine called "Old Theatres" which, like this site, keeps alive those bygone days which give us such warm memories of how entertainment used to be.

The next issue will contain an article on "BUTLINS THEATRES" - illustrated with great photos.

The February 2011 edition will follow up with hilarious anecdotes from some of the artistes who played them.

Copies of OLD THEATRES magazine cost just £6.66 (including UK postage).

Cheques should be made payable to "T.G. Kirtland" and sent to:

20, Rife Way, Felpham, Bognor Regis, West Sussex, PO22 7BW.

Check out the website:

OLD THEATRES

For further details E-mail: oldtheatres@googlemail.com

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16 June 2010

BIGGER MINI-MEET

I'm delighted to announce that, after reading the article ""Mini-Meet" below, Frank Worrall and his wife immediately booked in at Butlins Bognor, for the same mid-week break.
Frank and Marion both worked at Barry in 1969 - he as a Redcoat, she as a nurse, so it will be great to meet up and compare notes.
Frank, by the way, has been writing some wonderful stories of his time at Barry. Go to this link, and have a laugh.

RED TALES IN THE SUNSHINE

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11 June 2010

MINI-MEET

It's your web-host - "A.J" Marriot - here. I'll be taking a mid-week break at BUTLINS BOGNOR from Mon-Fri 19-23 July.
It's not a Reunion, as such, but I have arranged to meet up with 6 former Redcoats and 3 Ents. Managers.
However, the meetings will be over the four days, and not just one get-together.
If you want to pop on site and have a chat, I'll be delighted to meet up.
E-mail me at:  redcoatsreunited@aol.com

[Please note that I can't get involved in any arrangements for you booking on site, or assist with getting you in as a Day Visitor.]

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Clacton: Roy Hudd launches Butlins exhibition

FORMER Butlins redcoat Roy Hudd has officially opened an
exhibition on the history of the holiday camp.

A Week's Holiday for a Week's Wage will be on display at the town's library for the next year, charting its opening in 1938 to the day its doors closed in 1983. Mr Hudd told the assembled crowd about his own memories of Butlins, where he was a redcoat for two years from 1958. "I know what you're thinking - what was a two-year-old boy doing there?" he joked.

"It was the greatest place to work and to get started in the business, because you didn't have to be very good! "As redcoats, we did everything possible, from refereeing football matches to dancing in the ballroom." He said he was among good company, counting Dave Allen, Jimmy Cricket and Charlie Drake, among his colleagues. "And Des O'Connor - but you can't win them all," he said.

Also present at the opening of the exhibition were representatives from the Clacton and District Local History Society, Essex County Council, Tendring Council chairman Roy Smith and John Curry, chairman of governors at Colbayns High School. The project has received £50,000 funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund and £35,000 from Creative Partnerships.

Originally published on 12th June 2008 in the:

COLCHESTER GAZETTE

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FAMOUS REDCOATS

Quite a few of the ex-Redcoats who went on to become famous were invited to the 2008 Skegness Redcoat Reunion. FREDDIE DAVIES - who went from Redcoat to Ents. Manager between 1959 and 1963 - was disappointed that he couldn't make it. And to show just how genuinely disappointed he really was, he very kindly made a DVD presentation, to show at the Reunion. I originally asked Fred just to tape himself sending greetings to all the Reds. However, he very thoughtfully turned it into a little documenatry, and cleverly edited photos of his Butlins' history into it, accompanied by a very nice narration and background music ("Housewives Choice.") Having made up a few DVDs myself, I know just how much work and time goes into making one, so I really am most grateful to Fred for making such a kind gesture, and I know it was enjoyed by all who had the privilege of watching it.

Freddie ended the DVD by saying that he would do his very best to attend the next reunion, and we have spoken at length about this since I got back. Here's looking at you, Fred! (To be said in the style of Humphrey Bogart.)

Go to:  FREDDIE "PARROT-FACE" DAVIES

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HI-DE-HI

 Another famous face to send in his apologies that he couldn't make the 2008 Skegness Redcoat Reunion was Jimmy Perry - creator and writer of the TV series "Hi-de-Hi." Jimmy was a Redcoat at Pwllheli starting in 1948. For the next three years, he spent his six-week summer break from RADA as a Red. He's quite happy to divulge that all the people who appeared in the TV series were based on actual people he'd met working on the Camp.

He very kindly sent me a signed copy of his autobiography, which is a thoroughly entertaining read, by a very talented writer. If you want to buy a copy it's called:

"A Stupid Boy" by Jimmy Perry. Published by Arrow Books.
ISBN 0-09-944142-X. Price £7.99p.
Go to: RANDOM HOUSE Inc.

Jimmy hasn't been too well of late, so we wish him well, and hope he's fit enough to join us at the next Reunion.

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I WILL TELL YOU WHEN

I've seen Leeds funny man Billy Pearce on stage many times, and met him on a couple of occasions, but they were over ten years ago, and there was nothing that I thought Billy might remember me by. Imagine my delight therefore when, upon getting home after the 2008 Skegness Redcoat Reunion, Billy rang to apologise for not getting back to me regarding the Reunion. It was some apology - we chatted for around a hour-and-a-half. Two days later, we spent another hour on the phone. I've forgiven him now.

Although Billy has been a stand-up comedian for over thirty years, he didn't actually start out as one. In 1970 he did a season at Butlins Margate, in a singing duo, with his friend Andy Beaumont. Sadly, Andy has since passed on, but Billy is going to see if he can keep his own Date-Sheet open for the next Reunion. I can still hear him saying: "I will tell you when!!"
If you are in Blackpool this summer, you can catch Billy in his own show in the Tower Ballroom, on Thursday Nights, commencing in July. Make a point of going - Billy is a VERY funny lad.

Go to:  BILLY PEARCE

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WHAT HAPPENED TO THE FILEY REDS??

Amazingly the Butlins Filey Camp had only one representative at the 2008 Skegness Redcoat Reunion. I wrote to the "Remember Filey Butlins" website at least four times, but didn't get so much as a single courtesy reply. There was a party of ten ex-Filey Redcoats who had intended coming, but they self-eliminated owing to holidays, other engagements, and ill-health - until the last two pulled out because the other eight weren't going.

My two old mates Mike Jerome and Johnny Laff, who were Redcoats at Filey in 1973, also very much wanted to attend, but both had prior bookings. It's good to know that they are both still working comics, but it's a beggar when work interferes with play. For the next Reunion, everyone will have far more advance notice so, hopefully, lots of Filey Reds, and lots more acts will be joining us.

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WHAT THEY SAID!!
Comments from some of those who attended the 2008 Skegness Redcoat Reunion:

What a great weekend, at the Skegness Redcoat Reunion. Thanks to A.J. for organising it, and putting so much in,
in time, and backing it financially to make sure that from beginning to end it was interesting and entertaining.
And what a great bunch of Reds and friends came along.
Many photographs were taken and I'm sure will be appearing soon.
Thanks again A.J.
FRANK WORRALL

AJ, Just to thank you for all your hard work and organisation
in getting the Skegness Reunion off the ground.
RAY MARTIN

I had a great time meeting up with the Martin brothers, Val, and Christine. Not forgetting all my pals from Barry.
I don't think I went to bed before at least 2.30am. every night. Don't know what my sister thought of her little brother.
I didn't like the camp at all, I learnt that it is not even owned by Butlin's anymore, the Redcoats work a shift system
and all the magic that we created has gone forever. Our kind of humbug will only live on in our memories.
I would thank you for all your efforts in putting the whole thing together, quite a task I would imagine.
It was great to see the old photo's, the films, and stills. Thanks for the memories and old friends made new.
See you AJ. God bless.
PETER LACEY

Elsie and I enjoyed the weekend. And we both appreciate all the effort and hard work you put in.
As I stated before, my highlight of the Reunion was seeing that photo of myself from Minehead 1963. Thank you for planning that.
We would like to be informed of any future invents, and will watch your website.
Cheers for now,
ALFRED & ELSIE HILL

Thanks AJ for a well organised weekend.
I really enjoyed meeting up with an unexpectedly large number of former associates.
MIKE & JANET ONIONS

Eve & I had a great time at Skegness.
Many thanks once again for all your hard work.
We don't like the camp as it is now, but it was nice to see how it has changed.
Very best wishes,
RAY & EVE ALLEN

Dear AJ, thank you so much for all your hard work this happy memorable week .
I am sure you are exausted, but truly it was super meeting so many nice Reddies.
Have a rest and keep well.
Love Heri
HERI HARRISON

We had a FANTASTIC time. The girls keep asking me when the next one is.
KELLY KELLEHER (and the 6 Cardiff girls)

Yes I know there are only Five. One is taking the photo - CLEVER!!

As you say it was a weekend where we all made some very good friends .
I think we all can look back and see the changes in all of us,
but we all found that great bond that keeps a friendship alive for years.
Not everything was as I`d hoped but I`m glad I made the trip even thou it cost me an arm and a leg .
MARTIN KELLEHER

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Happy Days, "A.J"

MORE SOON

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2008 REDCOAT REUNION PICTURES

2008 REUNION GUEST LIST

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