 |
This is likely to be Gloucester Dining Hall, as the double doors on the far right would have given access to the adjacent Kent Dining Hall. |
Although it's not Christmas, there are many decorations hanging from the roof, creating a timeless holiday atmosphere. In later years these probably looked very dated, but to a youngster all of these adornments simply added to the fun and excitement of the holiday.
There were special meals for children, but I never liked them much, so they let me have a small portion of adult meals. There was always a starter, main course and dessert. I'm not sure what the main courses were, but I do remember having individual portions of Red Leicester or Double Gloucester cheese and biscuits as well as ice cream and wafers!
 |
Kent Dining Hall circa 1950s. |
"My father was controller of the camp at Clacton for several years in the 1950s, until 1960 when my family emigrated to Canada. Most of my childhood was spent around the camp, in the swimming pool, the theatres, the boating lake etc. I also worked there (under the stern eye of my father) for a couple of years, 1958 - 1959 as a 'Bluecoat' in the dining hall allocation office. We used to pore over charts, seating the families who had sent in their applications. Then when they arrived, if they weren't happy with the seating, we had to re-locate them. We had so many laughs in those days, there was never a dull moment."
Ralph Morris recalls...
"A friend and I worked at Butlin's Clacton around 1978-9 as waiters. Soup on Tuesday evenings was never served as the waiters were paid on Tuesday mornings and after several pints were never in any condition to pour soup! There was also a catchphrase adopted by the staff and as we all sank into our staff bunks in the early hours (usually worse for wear on Saturday nights), an Irish voice would say 'You won't be so chirpy in the morning.' Well remember the Crazy Horse Saloon as it was more thoughtfully lit than other drinking areas in the camp. Wonderful days. Low paid but great fun. Would give ANYTHING to experience those summers again. One wonders what happened to most of it after it was demolished - the funfair rides, the train, the stagecoach. Where did they all go? Guess we'll never know..."
All logos and trade marks are the property of their respective owners and are used on the Light Straw site(s) for review only. Students and researchers are recommended to make their own independent enquiries as to the accuracy of the information contained therein.