Sunday 11 July 2010

BUTLINS

This is my Uncle Alf and Aunty Dos. When I first saw this picture, I was puzzled by the rather unusually formal pose. The puzzle was unravelled when I asked my Dad about it. As a young man my Dad did a lot of photographic assignments for Sir Billy Butlin who owned Butlin's Holiday Camps and Dad came up with the suggestion for their advertising campaign. He suggested a photo of a young couple and the slogan 'It's SMART to go to Butlins' as Butlin's close friend was Billy Smart of Billy Smart's Circus fame. This photograph of my Aunt and Uncle, taken by my Dad was used in one of the first EVER television adverts aired with the slogan. I love this story. It makes me chuckle to think what an advertising executive would now be paid for coming up with such an idea! As it was, the photo and the slogan were supplied without charge. We did however, get to have many lovely, memorable holidays at Butlins all over the country!
Sadly my Aunt and Uncle are no longer with us but I have very many happy memories of them too. They were very sporty and active, playing lots of tennis and swimming regularly. As a child, I remember one of the treats they would give me would be to hand me a little set of drawers made out of matchboxes that they'd decorated and attached tiny little handles to. Each visit, I was allowed to open one drawer and discover a little treat inside - a sweety or a tiny toy. As a child I thought it magical. As an adult, remembering them, even more so.

13 comments:

  1. I've missed your art, but have really enjoyed your stories!

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  2. Your stories just get better and better. I love the idea of matchbox drawers. I might just have to try that for my grandsons. I don't remember Butlins but we didnt' get around much. What a great story.

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  3. What lovely special people your Aunt and Uncle were - and they were ahead of their time with decorated matchboxes! Another great story, Penny. x

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  4. What an interesting story, Penny. I loved watching Billy Smart's circus when I was young, although I don't think I ever stayed at a Butlins.

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  5. What a brilliant idea for a blog. I look forward to reading all about your memories. Thank you for sharing . The posts you have written are wonderful, keep up the good work x

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  6. Thank you so much for stopping by my blog. I don’t know where you came from, but I am so glad You did. My husband is English and used to go to Butlins as a kid and said it was very much fun indeed. Hope you become a regular visitor and I shall now follow you...

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  7. That was lovely story! As a short story author, photos are always a great inspiration. Love the way they decorated the matchbox chest of drawers and the little surprises it hid.

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  8. this is very lovely blog and at the same time you are honoring your family specially your dad's love for photography
    bless your heart!

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  9. What a lovely story with precious memories of your family. I remember going to see my Auntie Jess and there was always a stack of old pennies and halfpennies on the mantle. Whenever we were leaving we would get to the door then she would ask me to wait a minute and always came back with the pennies for me. I always thought she'd forget but she never did.
    I'm thinking now of making a little box for my grandees!
    JoZarty x

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  10. Hello There,

    Thank you so much for stopping by for a visit to my blog. So glad to meet you!. Every picture has a story and I find it fascinating to learn the story! How wonderful that your father took so many photos. I can't wait to read some more of them.

    Your blog is very lovely! I will follow you and add you to my blog roll so I will know when you post!

    Thanks again!

    Kris

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  11. What a fabulous photo - and what a really handsome couple they made.

    Butlins a Clacton on Sea - I went there just the once.

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  12. I love these old / vintage photos!

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  13. I too love old family photos and stories, simple and genuine...

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