REDCOATS REMINISCE

This is the first in a proposed series of reminiscencies from former Redcoats, and was written for us by VALDA WARWICK, who was a Red at AYR for the 1979 and '80 seasons. First she wrote a short e-mail.

Hello A.J,

I visited your web site, and must say, had a good laugh at your write ups.

I also remember the fire (Go to: THE BIG FIRE OF '74). I agree that the two of you should have had medals but, as we know, Butlins may have been on another planet, it definitely had its own way of doing things.

When I was supervisor in the Holiday Fayre in '73, I had a sick day, and all my staff went on strike while I was laid up. Of course they were all sacked, but me along with them, I could hardly believe it. Of course they let me back next season - great powers of persuasion in those days.

In those days too, I was just like Peggy from "Hi-de-Hi." I plagued Alan Ridgway's life to become a Red.

I went to Bognor for a season and then two seasons at Ayr as a Red, and I adored every second of it. It was great seeing a photo of Ingoldmells bar (Go to: THE BIG FIRE OF '74). I still have happy memories of getting hammered in there.

Loved your web site. Take care, Valda. x x

AYR-WICK

Going for the interview was so nerve-racking. I had wanted to be a Redcoat since I had worked at Skegness as a supervisor in the coffee bar. I did two seasons at Skegness and loved the camp and the town; I wanted to come back, but, as a famous Redcoat. Unfortunately the man that interviewed me for this illustrious job, had other ideas, and I ended up in Ayr, Scotland. I still felt like the luckiest girl in the world because - I WAS GOING TO BE A REDCOAT.

Arriving on camp that first day was quite terrifying, but, on meeting the girl who was to be my chalet mate, I knew life was going to be good. Bev was a real cockney sparrow, and we became firm friends. The camp wasn’t open that first week, so we spent our time cleaning, painting and generally getting the theatres ready for opening. We all got to know each other really well. We had to put together a show and learn about the duties we would have to carry out. The Reds from previous years, and Bev was one of them, helped all us rookies a great deal.

On the Friday before Saturday camp opening, we tried on our uniform for the very first time. I cannot begin to tell you how I felt, only that I have never felt that way since, and don’t expect to again. We had a pep talk and then, when the boss - Doug Mcloud - was satisfied that we wouldn’t let him down, it was off to the chalet to get changed and hit the bar.

Saturday morning hit us like a hurricane. If I had known just what reception duty entailed, I would never have let the tiniest drop of alcohol past my lips. The old reds just looked at us newbie's with a wicked grin on their faces. One hard lesson learned. Reception was hectic to say the least; the little barrow boys could make our weeks wage on that one day. Glasgow fortnight was my favourite time, the men would load the barrows up with the booze for the two weeks, and the wives would struggle with cases and kids while the men then stood in line for the chalet keys. Hilarious!

I have lots of memories from my time at Butlins, but here is my very favourite:- I made friends with a family whose little boy was in remission from leukaemia. On the Friday night, when he was oh! so sad because he was going home, his parents told him that they had booked for another week. The look of pure unadulterated joy on his face will stay with me forever.

I often wonder if Billy Butlin was somehow magical, because he surely made magic memories in millions of people’s lives.

Valda Warwick – Ayr 1979 and1980

o-o-o-0-o-o-o

If you were a Redcoat, at ANY Butlin's Camp, and you have an interesting story to tell,
then please send it to me at redcoatsreunited@aol.com

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