Going to Bognor in July (Back with pictures)

[frank worrall]

We are off to Butlins at Bognor on Monday 19th to Friday 23rd July, 2010. We noticed that A.J. Marriot (Basilbrush) was meeting some of his Redcoat friends down there, and thought that we would like to see him again and maybe other Reds, and friends there, so if your around at that time, we would like to see you, we will provide you with plenty of fresh air and there will probably be plenty of hot air as well, if we all get together. We have now settled down in Staffordshire, and have given up our country wide travels in our caravan, pulled by our trusty horse Volvo.

[frank worrall]

Well off next week to Bognor and Butlins once again. Looking at some of the recent photographs and the booklet theyve sent us, there seams to be a hotel in the old boating lake as well as the tent seams to be larger than before, sorry the Skyline Pavilion, still miss those theatres of the past. Looking forward to seeing the shows though, Abba The Beatles, they must have aged well to be still performing, wonder if you still have to get in early to get a seat. Last time we were at Skegness people were quing at least an hour before it opened?

[frank worrall]

Got the cases packed, and ready to go. Looks like there will be at least 12 reds and friends visiting over the 4 days according to A.J's www.redcoatsreunited.com website. Hoping to take some photos of a few old sites (well we are getting a bit old) while there, and try and put them on this site (always needed Jokers help before)

[Joker]

put them on this site (always needed Jokers help before)

No problem.

Enjoy yourselves

Joker

[frank worrall]

We had a great time, and met some fantastic Butlin people. Ron and Sheila Stanway, Ken Hopson, and Joan Hinde, known as the girl with the Golden Trumpet. Kennie Joans (still working for Butlins) David Mooren to name just a few, and of course A.J. Marriot who organised this feast of Butlin nostalger, all had spent many years with Butins, and in the world of entertainment. Thanks to them all for the hours of past magic of Butlins. We also with A.J. toured the camp, being shown the new Ocean Hotel (until the fire alarms went off) they promised they didnt do this deliberately to get rid of us) The Conference Centre, and the Shore Line Hotel, very interesting, and the staff and our guide and the rest of the staff were so enthusiastic it was a real pleasure going round. We did get into one or two scrapes, but thats for another time. I took a number of photographs, 72 in all, with Jokers help hope to get some on this site. Will add more comments about the week later. Photos of the car park is where half of the chalets in Oyster Bay have been knocked down, more to come to provide space for the next new hotel which will be operational early next year. It apparently will be more simple and less expensive than the other two, followed by a fourth in the future.

[Joker]

[minehead forever]

been thinking about giving bognor another go for a weekend,not been for 6 years,but prising myself away from minehead is difficult,but pictures make the camp look very inviting.

[frank worrall]

Giving people advice is always risky, everyones taste differ along with age. What you could do at 20 at Butlins becomes a dream at 60 (but I keep dreaming) so here goes. As you can see from the photos the camp was spotless, planting great, and the food (breakfast and evening meals) in the Silver Restaurat excellent, spoilt for choice in fact. Entertainment, the Reds as entertainers were great, always performing. Shows were good, but sound in all venues was ear splittin, which spoilt the shows as we had to come out of them because of this. Seamed to be turned down after complaining? Reds closed also Jacks. The penny has finally dropped Butlins is for the family Mums, Dads and Kids plus Grandparents. If you want the good old days of the past, then go to the themed weekends where you will get 60's 70's etc etc. so it all depends where you are between 20 and 60. Best of luck.