HOLIDAY ARC Fun’s he
THE coronavirus crisis has sparked massive demand for “staycations” this summer.
But holidaying at home is nothing new – as these heartwarming photos from the archives prove.
The charming snaps show how Brits let their hair down on holiday from the Thirties through to the Sixties.
In one, laughing lasses cycle down the prom at Clacton-on-Sea.
Another shows a daredevil diver launching himself into the pool at the original Butlin’s in Skegness, Lincs.
The images were found in TopFoto’s digital archives ahead of Butlin’s parks’ reopening this weekend.
Memories of eating together in a communal dining hall will take older readers back to their youth.
In one of the snaps, bathing beauties are seen on the beach in Blackpool.
And the popularity of the Lancashire resort in its heyday is demonstrated with an image of the packed sands in the shadow of the famous tower.
William “Billy” Butlin opened his first camp at Skegness in 1936. Butlin’s always kept up with the times and in the Sixties the firm added a host of decidedly modern features, including monorails and even glass-sided swimming pools.
Billy’s original aim was to make the great British seaside break accessible to everyone.
It was inspired by a short visit to Barry
Island in south Wales, where he felt deep sadness for families staying in drab guest houses with nothing much to do during the daytime.
He dreamed of creating a “place of colour and happiness” where exciting activities and fun-packed entertainment would be laid on.
Billy bought a plot of land in Skegness, Lincolnshire, and set about making his dream come true. The park was a success Clacton of the F
Anot in Filey and Pw They
G
ar were jo even B Brighto
Shrew failure w the Car failed to