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Sadly, due to a massive influx of spam arriving in our inbox, we have had to remove the form for memories. If you have
a memory you'd like to get to us, please email us! If you have sent us a memory through this form recently, we haven't lost them, but it may take some time for them to appear
here!
I worked as a receptionist in 1991 and had a great time. This was the year after the camp was flooded out. The week before
opening the reception area was looking very tatty, so myself and another member of staff cleaned the place up so it looked
great! Had a lovely time at the camp working and socialising met some lovely people. I shared a chalet with Allison from the
nursery and we are still big friends and always will be, would love to hear from any other staff..
- Shelly Phillips
(nee Young), Receptionist 1991
Well what can I say, the best six months of my life!!! We were one big family us bluecoats and I can't
wait to see you all again at the reunion. Still in touch with lots of children from Dylan's Den (teenagers now) but not many
Bluecoats - get in touch through the reunion site! - Pebbles, Bluecoat
What a place to work! Worked with some of the most talented people you could ever wish to meet and met some great campers.
Looking forward to the reunion, if any old staff or guests would like a chat drop me a line. - Steve
Spike, Redcoat 1987-89
Before being a redcoat I was on the fairground in Butlins, best time of my life, and now it's such a shame to see
it go, it was brilliant and I'd love to hear from anybody who remembers me, I am now an entertainments agency based in
Blackwood, South Wales. - Garfield Jenkins, Redcoat 1985-1988
I have that many happy memories of my time as a redcoat back in 1989 that I could write 10 books!! I look forward to
the reunion as there are guys and gels going to be there who I havent seen in 15 years! - Mark Venables, Redcoat 1989
Thousands and thousands of memories, don't know where to start. I worked in Catering in the years 1985, 1986, 1991, 1996.
It was fantastic hope there is someone out there who remembers me! - Jacqui Ward (nee Kay), Catering
I have wonderful memories of Barry Island and also sad memories, as that is where I met my lovely husband Dazzling Dave
Brady, I am really looking forward to the Reunion to meet up with all my old friends. - Mandy Brady (nee Collard)
I have some great memories of Barry Island and also some wonderfull people I met on the way. I also have some sad memories!
I am looking forward to coming to the UK in November as it will be great to see some of the old faces from yesteryear.
Hopefully we can get in contact with a lot more ex reds between now and the reunion. - Ian Fullerton
I can't believe it was eight years ago now as the memories are still strong, it was a great place to work and meet people. I
can't believe in those days most of us used to get by on 3 or 4 hours sleep a night, I remember sitting in the bar with
a group of pensioners one morning during a quiz and nodding of to sleep, when I heard this old lady saying " that bluecoats
gone to sleep" ouch, could of got in to trouble for that. We were only aloud to have half pints bought for us in the
ballroom, but no one said how many half pints. Great days miss them loads! - Darren Coleman, Bluecoat 1996
Hi Guys, I worked as Bluecoat/DJ with Marky Mark and Lee Fernandez from 92 - 94. - Leigh Walters
Worked as a Redcoat in 1988. Did Butlins & Warners as well but no comparison to Barry Island. Great people to work
with, looking forward to meeting up with everyone at the reunion to see if they have as less hair as me! - Jase the
Face, Redcoat 1988
I worked as a supervisor in the dinning room under Brian McCann and Emily Chivers in 1972, 1973 and 1974. -
Gillian Longhurst
Redcoat 1976 with Jackie, went out with Roger Stanton - Lyn Bourne
I am an old camper of Barry Island. It was a great camp, and I am sorry to hear of its closure. Does
anyone remember Pico the Clown? I have bits and pieces of the old Dylan Club autograph book somewhere, and I know I have got
some of the old Dylan Club pen holder lying around. Does anyone else remember these items? - Damion Mellers
Holidayed there a couple of times as a child so it's sad to see the site in such a condition. Went back a couple of summers
ago to have a reminice and was doubly saddened! - Dawn Foster
I started as a waiter the first season it opened as Majestic, 1987, was back again 1988 working the Bar. I have some
really wonderfull memories form back then. - Russell Downe, Waiter 1987/88
MEMORIES! WILL NEVER BE FORGOTTEN. BOTH WORKED ON THE BARS DEPARTMENT FROM 1993/96. - Bobby Kenny & Tracy
Courtney
I enjoyed 1991 so much I just had to have another year there. I met the most down to earth people and I
am thrilled to hear about the reunion. I planned to work at the camp after being a guest there in 1989 and met true friends
such as Steve Dex, Spike, Dizzy, Seagull and Ian. Can't wait till november, lets have the 'bash' next week! - Dianna Tudor
I worked as a Redcoat for 4 years 1983-1986, the best years of my life. Met some great friends all whom I`ve lost touch
with, but would love to hear from anyone from that era. - Sandra Pearson nee Rutherford
Hey all! Have fantastic memories from years of holidays as Butlins and my four fab seasons as bluecoat between 93 and 96.Can't
wait for the reunion and to catch up with so many people! Please feel free to email me in the meantime.I have to mention Jaz
at this point who will sadly be missed by all and he would of loved getting involved with such a great idea too!Thanx to all
who came to pay their respects. See you all soon! - Stacy Creese
The Miss Wet t-shirt competition in the Pig and Whistle and CoCo's! - ANTONY FREDERICK PECK
I holidayed at Barry Island in 1983 when I was 16 years old and had the time of my life!! Dancing the night away in CoCo's
nite club, spending hours & hours on the chairlift and fairground rides..1st holiday romance!! Such happy times!
So sad at the demise of the camp..it was such a wonderful place to be in the good old days! - Juliet Roberts
Hiya.
Worked as a Bluecoat for a little while in 94-95, I don't remember getting much sleep then but I do remember doing the meet
and greets on the front gate on Saturdays, getting a great tan while listing to top tunes from the poolside and generally
prating around with guests as they come in, seeing how many bluecoats we could get to follow a guest without them knowing
(you would need to be there to appreciate the humour). Would love to hear from you if you remember me so drop us an e-mail
at craig@creativegrafx.co.uk. - Craig Goodall(The Marmite Kid), Bluecoat
I worked in the nursery for 2 seasons (1987+88) when
Gabi was matron. I worked with Erika, Emma and Del. We had a fantastic time before going to work in London as a nanny. - Julie
Dodd (nee Mackay)
I remember going to Barry Island for a marching jazzband competition many years ago cannot remember which date , but
all I can remember it was a fantastic day of marching band competition and a day I will never forget :) The marching
jazzbands are still going and it seems to be getting harder for them to find venues for comps like Barry Island which was
great! - Nick Hill
Hiya you all, well I was a guest at Barry,and I blummin loved it, we came back for about five years in a trot. Larking
with the Blues..... Spike hiya, and the likes of Marky Mark, Jaime and even little H. Also remember you Stacy. Well I'm 27
now and was just checking out what had happened to Barry, was told it was hotels now, but sadly no...was going to fetch me
own two down. Spike dont know if you remember me spoke to you when season was over a few times, at the time you were seeing
one of the other Blues down there think she were called Mel with red hair. I played your guitar, well tried and burnt my finger
on your lighter lol! - Melanie
AS A KID MY FAMILY AND I USED TO GO TO BARRY ISLAND FOR OUR SUMMER HOLIDAYS AND MY ONE ENDURING MEMORY IS THE FACT THAT
WHEN WE WERE TRAVELING DOWN TO THE CAMP I WAS DISTRAUT THAT I WAS GOING AWAY BUT WHEN I WAS TOLD I HAD TO LEAVE I WAS INCONSOLABLE
THIS WAS DUE TO THE WONDERFUL ATMOSPHERE CREATED BY ALL THE STAFF AND MOST ESPECIALLY THE BLUECOATS WHO INSPIRED ME TO DO
THE JOB MYSELF AS I AM NOW AN ALLSTAR AT TRECCO BAY AND LOOK FORWARD TO THE FORTH COMING REUNION SEE YOU THERE AND THANKS
FOR THE MEMORIES! - JOHN ROBERTS
It was the year 1991 I met gary the "hot dog man" as Stacy, my daughter used to call him we wrote to each other for
a year and a half just pen pals. Not even a holiday romance. Then 18 months later Stacy and me went to Barry for the
weekend, Gary came to London for a week. We got married 6 months later have 2 more children, was so sorry the camp shut but
have good memories. and a hot dog man as a souvenier! - Tracy Pritchard
Worked in the nursery for a couple of seasons, also worked in the offices in the winter months sorting out the bookings
and sending out brochures. Would love to here from anyone who remembers me. Spent the best days of my life working at
the camp and have some real good memories!!! - Erika Willmaser
The best years of my life ! Worked
as a Junior Guests' Redcoat in 1983 at the tender age of 18 - with Steve & Casey Goodfellow as Junior Leaders, Robbie
Eastcott as Assistant Ents Manager and Eric McGough as Ents Manager. Went back again (older & wiser !) in 1988 & 1989
- the 'Classic Years' under Dazzling Dave Brady & Mandy. What a team - Dizzy Dean, Simon the Seagull, Mad Mark, Steve
Spike,Happy Harry & Debbie, Steve Dex,Tracy, Merthyr, Karen, Siobhan,Annette Curtain,Ziggy, Tony, Alan, Elaine,Ian, Paddy,....I
could go on ! Wonderful memories - the Trifle fight in the canteen, the "Jason Donovan" near-riots, That's Life ....! I've
got photographs, videos, brochures,souvenirs & so many happy times to remember !!! Can't wait to share them again at The
Reunion ! Now working at Barry Island Tourist Information Centre - please pop in for a chat on a Sunday if you can't wait
until November. It will be great to see you ! - Redcoat Uncle John (1983,1988-1992)
Best memories
of my life at Barry Island, if they were for you, then check out the Reunion at www.barryislandreunion.com - The Reunion is Saturday 5th November 2005 - Carl Bradley
I went to Majestic as a child about three
or four times. I can still feel the coolness of the Boulevard on a hot day. I can see the chalets and the noisy steps
leading up to them. The Welsh lady hats in the ballroom - a must have for a eight year old. The donkey races. Holding on to
my day pass ticket from the gate, scared they wouldnt et me back in if I lost it. I can still feel the sun and happiness I
shared with my late dad. Childhood memories bulldozed away. - Louise Cockayne
I was gymnastic coach from 80-87 made lots of friends but lost contact over years. Love to hear from anyone,
maybe meet up and chat - best site Butlins ever had. I was known as jimgym by everyone! - Jim Hickman
A DON'T KNOW WHERE TO START, THE TIME I SPENT AT BARRY ISLAND 1984/85 WAS THE WAKE UP CALL FOR ME, I USED TO BE SHY UNTILL
I WENT THERE, YOU COULD SAY THAT I HAVN'T SHUT UP SINCE. MY BEST FRIENDS WERE, IAN FULLERTON, PHIL DOYLE,DAZZLING DAVE WHO
IS VERY SADLY MISSED,MANDY, LYNDSAY,STEVE (SPIKE), REMEMBER THE BEACH PARTY WE HAD AT JACKSONS BAY WHEN WE ALL CAME BACK TO
CAMP JUST IN TIME TO START WORK. NOT FORGETTING PAY DAY ON A WEDNESDAY AND SPENDING MOST OF IT UP AT THE CON'S CLUB, I THINK
THAT WAS OUR BIG NIGHT OUT OF THE WEEK. THERE ARE SO MANY STORIES COMING BACK I'M RUNNING OUT OF SPACE. HOPE TO SEE
EVERYONE IN NOVEMBER. TAKE CARE. (PS) I HOPE SOMEONE REMEMBERS ME AFTER ALL IT WAS 20 YEARS AGO. AH! - DOT BOYLE (SCOTTY
DOTTY)
Nice to see Jase, Mandy, Ian , Mark, John , Erika and the great Scotty Dotty have all found the site.
If your ever in Essex give me a call - I'm running a pub you see free ale. My email address is steveorientfc@yahoo.com take care now. Has anyone heard anything from Jackie Murphy or Sharon? - Steve Spike
Barry Island was wonderful - the sun was always shining, they had a great outdoor pool and the best shopping arcade that
Butlin's ever had! Now it's all gone but it lives on in our memories and this site!Barry Island you were the BEST! - Gail
Roberts
Me and my family went every year to Barry Island from when it was Butlins to Majestic, we have so
many great memories! Both my
wife's parents went with us every year too, we have 4 children who always talk about Barry
Island, why oh why did they let it go? We always enterd in all compertitions and won extra holidays in September on finals
week, now that was a great time. My oldest was there one year when he was a boy of 7 and remembers walking down the Boulevard
on last day of season and the women in the sweet shop asking him to help himself to as many sweets as he could carry. I
could sit here for ever telling you different memories we were in Blue Camp when it was completely flooded and we were moved
to the posh area (Yellow Camp) wow now we were with the cream..ha ha! Thats all for now, may I take this chance to thank
all the members of staff who worked so bloody hard to keep that place alive - thank you from the Bevington family: 1979-1996
(yes we were there when it closed!) - Martin Bevington
I spent 1993-1996 as a Bluecoat and would do
it all again if i could.
I have remained good friends with Jamie, Stacy and Diane and can't wait til the reunion.
I was known as a bit of a prankster along with Lee Fernandez (who I then lived with for 3 years) and will never forget
the time we sawed the legs off Little Lees bed, and clued his toothpaste lid and superglued his mug to the work top, oh to
have all that back again. Anyway see ya all in November for a bit of Agadoo!!! - Claire Taylor (AKA Mrs Blobby)
It's all gone now, RIP Barry Island. I went there every year from when I was tiny to when it shut and sometimes I can still
imagine it's all still there. Often I smell something or see something which takes me right back. I dreamed of working there
and now it's all over. I just hope that the powers that be are happy but I certainly am not. A hole has been made that will
never be filled. I just hope that in an afterlife there will be a double to Barry Island. I wish that I had seen it one last
time before it went, but at least I suppose I only have the good memories, I didn't see it at the end. I'll never forget you
Barry Island, you helped mold me into what I am and i hope one day I will be able to visit your shell to pay my respects.
- Amy Ingram
I was a camper there at 88' i think with my parents. I was 15 I think. Met loads of people, Lisa Preece, Kev O'sullivan,
Steve Prest, Peter Kealy to name but a few. Remember when Kev beat the resident snooker professional there and I won
the tournament!!! Hurrah to Co'Cos, Pig and Whistle both of which i was underage for! lol... most certainly the best holiday
ive ever had!!!Great memories and a great shame its gone. - Simon Seabridge
I was a guest at Barry Island from 1994-1996 and no holiday camp has come close to this one! The Bluecoats, the shows,
the whole
atmosphere was just bloody brilliant! I just wish that they hadn't closed the place as now no more souls
can enjoy the delights of Barry Island! By the way, if anyone knows Brian, a Bluecoat who worked in the 1995 season, tell
him he was a legend! - Russell Hill
Hi All!
Was a Bluecoat at Barry Island for 2 seasons - 1994 and 1995. Was hard work but very rewarding. Met some great
people during that time and made some great friends. Barry Island will never be the same now the camp has gone. Hope
to meet up with everyone at the Reunion. - Davron Hicks
Greetings to all! Was a lifeguard and evening Redcoat in the Summer Of Love in 1989 - oh what a year. A complete liberation
at the age of 19 in my first year away from home and working. Went back to look in July 2005 and it was like a bereavement-
absolutely gutted but things move on. My abiding memories are that the camp was that bad it was brilliant!!!This
site is sadly underrepresented by the lifeguards - where are you Justin Hundley-Appleton, Josie Radcliffe, April Ferguson,
Jason, Chris (Supervisor), Paul, Chaz, and Kiwi whose name I forget? And you Satti Atwal. Really hope life has dealt
you good cards!! Take it easy - Sean Penney (Lifeguard and part time Redcoat)
I am so sad that the Barry island Resort has closed as I used to go there every year when I was younger. The pictures of
the camp after closure just bring tears to my eyes as the memory of Barry is so close to my heart its one place I will never
forget and never stop talking about! - Gemma Jolley
Well what can I say! I spent 6 months of my teenage life at the camp in 95. I was in a show on Sunday night with
Barry Arts Centre - best six months of my life, did a lot of growing up beleive me! Hi to anyone that remembers me! - Emma
Wagner
Looking at this page has reminded me of so many people - see you all at the reunion. I can remember Martin Bevington
- if I am right you used to win the table tennis does anyone know anyting about Tracy Lewis, Happy Harry, Debbie Davies
or Jackie Murphy? If so let me know also some campers - Les Williams and his familly also Steve and Lorraine Titler. If your
going to the reunion drop me a line, I will be traveling from London on the Friday night or early Sat morning lets meet
up at Paddington - Steve Spike
Many happy days spent with my brother, sister, nan and all our friends! Does anyone remember the year when there was real
bad storms and the windows of the ballroom got blown in all the entertainment had to finish? Still got my BUTLINS key holder
on kitchen wall bit old and dusty now though! HAPPY DAYS!! - Lisa Smith
I was a guest there for 3 years on the trot and it was great I loved it!Full blown wizzy kid and how i loved jamie!
If any one is in contact with him or if indeed he reads this feel free to get in contact I'd love to hear from him now! I
was only 6 at the time aswell! I also remember Stacy, Jazz, Pebbles, Mrs Blobby and of course that guy from Steps! Would be
great if could see all the peeps now for some all singing all dancing fun! - Katy Taylor
1986 season and xmas the best time we will ever have, what a great time, we were lucky to have expierienced it all! - Phil
Doyle
I started comeing to Barry Island Camp with my family, it was the best holidays we had - allways lots of fun. I
have a lot of good memories. Two of my family have past away now so I would like to write this for them: Colin and Stan
Gill loved every thing about the camp, they missed the camp when it closed and we miss them very much. Does any one remember
Evelyn and Colin Gill from Cheltenham? Evelyn was in all the churfull charming and chubby comps! - Peter Coombes
Hi I have many, many memories of Barry Island! My first are when I was 4 years old I used to love going on the
cable cars and swimming I am now nearly 40 and have lots of photos of the best days of my life - brillant and cheap!
- Joanna Tweedale
Worked in the ballroom, Pig and Whistle amd CoCo's with Dave Mosley bar manager, Kevin Beer, Hayley Rees, Tracey Seby
and lots more i worked with in 1988/89 - Stephanie
Me and my family had many a happy holiday at Barry, we were only talking about it the other day so I decided to
look for it on the web and here it is!! It seems weird looking at it now after everything that has happened, but it sure brought
back many happy memories of my childhood. Does anyone know what happened to Mad Mark, he was a Redcoat around 1985[ish]? -
Natalie Golland-Wileman
In 1995, I was the bluecoat who was no good at singing but not too bad at sports, it will be nice too see so many wonderful
people at the reunion, looking back this was one of the greatest camps because the holiday makers who attended knew how to
have fun. - Anthony Williams (Tony) (Bluecoat Sports Organiser 1995)
What a great time we had at the Reunion! So nice to meet up with so meny people. I am thinking about doing a quarterly
news letter for ex Reds and Blues from Barry Island, would anyone be interested? Just information about what people are
up to now etc ie news, births, weddings and let me know what you think it would be a good way of keepng in touch drop me a
email on what you think. Thanks to all for the Reunion! - Steve Spike
Worked on the bars. Wow best days of my life! So sad to see it
go. Would love to hear from you guys and do some catching
up. I missed the reunion.. gutted. - Paul Grey, Bars 1993-1996
Wow what a great Reunion that was! Helped me get quite a few memories sorted out. The 1986/Christmas season quite
literally changed my life and that goes for my beautiful siter Christine too. Thanks guys, love you all! Don't
forget us and 'SMILE AN OSMONDS' SMILE! - Jacqueline Appleby (Guest)
I started as a waiter in 1978, with my brother Terry. We had traveled from Manchester and I was about to embark
on a journey that would shape the rest of my life. We were accommodated in "the Zoo" with two lads from Middlesbourgh, Don
& Beau. When I returned in 1979 Norman Cox asked me to become Red Coat and I jumped at the chance. Dave Simpson
opened my eyes to the world of theatre and over 25 years on i am still in the business as a cabaret act. My last season was
1981. John Wilson (ents manager) made me the Chief Redcoat, which still remains one of the proudest moments of my life.
I
can't make the reunion because of my work (I found out about it only a few days ago) Like everyone who visited Butlins at
Barry Island it finds a way into your heart and mind and never leaves you. And any time i want to go back I just close
my eyes, its so real I can almost touch it, almost. - Wayne (Weybridge) Slater 1978-1981
I am not 25 and I can remember about 15-17 years ago when we used to go to Barry! The Bluecoats I remember are Little
Lee and Sonic Steve! Can any one else remember them? I would love to know.. Also I can remeber the hunt for Captain Blood
and the Wizz Kids in Wizzy World, going to cocos in the morning for the wake up show! - Caroline
OH MY GOD! I've been on this site few times but first time I've ever read everones memories - I'm an emotional wreck
now! Tears came to the brim when I read Stacey's tribute to Jazz and then kept on flowing as I read on. I was
a Bluecoat in 95 and boy do I have some fab memories of my time there! Tthe biggest that sticks in my mind was obviously
that I got married there in 96! I'm still in contact with many kiddies (although theyre all teenagers now) from Dylans
Den and reguarly go to visit one family. Barry Island Resort made a lasting impression on anyone, be it camper or staff, the
place was special, there was a magic about it that can't be found anywhere else. It was the last of its kind - a real Hi De
Hi of a place, and it is, and will continue to be sorely missed. Am so happy at how passionate everyone still feels. And am
very chuffed that I got a mention in someones memories - cheers Katy. Reunion was fab! Email me at debbiebunceAThotmail.com
- Debbie Bunce (Pebbles)
Very fun times, very upset and disapointed to see it go, just glad to be appart of it when I was there as a camper! I
have many pics from the Reunion in Porthcawl. Barry Island still rocks in my memories so it will never die as long as we all
remember it! - Martin Budd
For those of you who don't remember me I was the Sax player with the J.O. Band from 1987 to 1996. Some great memories
on the camp from the Green Room in the Theatre to the 60's Show in the P&W. Low points were Around the World every Thursday
night in the Ballroom and the Party Music Sets, I remember coming off stage in the Ballroom one night, could have been any
night (!!!) and saying to Ian Kimber, the Piano player, "There we go Ian, four years in music college we did to be able to
play that crap" Also towards the last few years the "Naffta Awards" the video of the 94 one I still have and laugh at, also
walking back to "Little Moscow" aka Red Camp at 7 in the morning after a long night discussing the merits of the evening's
performance, NOT!!!! but, would I do it again ? TOO BLOODY RIGHT. Cheers all! - Ceri Rees (Beefy)
Where do I start being a redcoat for 5 great summer seasons at Claton-on Sea, Minehead, Barry Island 1986 and Majestic
1988 also Skegness in 1989. I loved every minute of it met some wonderful people not least my very dear friend Dazzling
Dave we just loved to bounce off each other. Still think of all the fun times everyday! I hope you're all well, sorry
I missed the reunion but I've never have been a sociable person a bit shy really! God Bless you all! Mad Mark skinny
glasses and Mad now fat contact lenses and insane - Mark Glassett
What a shame! I had three great visits to Barry as a youngster and loved it - the Bluecoats were great - always
happy entertaining us kids (22 now)! So many happy memories like the one where I was being chased around the outdoor
pool by a Bluecoat and he feel over grazed all his face and knees! Sorry if you read this Tin Tin I think they called
you not sure. Then there was the Rocky Horror Show that we were too young to see but sneaked in anyway. Wow you Bluecoats
- we saw a different side to you! Shame its all gone but the memories last forever! - Rob Rich
I was a guest there many years ago, when i was a little tot, about 5 or I think! Always used to follow the Redcoats
round asking questions about working as a Redcoat. Barry Island was great, all my family went from Wales too. Never
lost my dream and worked under Mandy Collard and Dave Brady at the end of my first season as a dancer teamstar at Warner's
Gunton Hall in 1990. - Sally-Ann Bowen
I started off as a dish washer and worked my up to becoming a waiter! And then jumped around in strange custumes including
a rabbit suit! Anyone remember me i would love to hear from you all! - Lee Walters
In 1981 I went for a week with my school and had a great time there - also went with school to clacton-on-sea the year
before. I've just moved to cardiff area recently and was hoping to show my wife where I went at Barry but I was saddened
and shocked to hear it has long gone as it is a fantastic opportunity for children to have a great time to try out activities
like I did. I will have to try and find my old photos in the attic as I had my first camera then - a kodak mini 110 !!! -
Anthony Crook
My mum visited Barry and Butlins as a small child. She is adamant that there was a clock from which a man and a
woman popped out when the clock struck every hour. Can anyone else remember this clock and tell me where it was and
if it is still there? - Leanne
I worked in Barry Island in the Catering section from 1985-1987. I've recently found so many pictures & websites,
It's a total shame it's been left to ruin now. I would love to go back for a wander around for old times sake. Memories for
me include:Being attacked on Yellow Camp almost daily by those damn seagulls, wearing that AWFUL orange (Jaffa) outfit for
the first year. Dressing up as a naughty schoogirl & Sylvester the Cat (amongst others!) for the photographers so the
Campers could get their picture taken with us. Meeting Sylvester McCoy & Bonnie Langford when they filmed Doctor Who on
the camp, the old staff bar/caberet acts. Drinking till dawn in the nightclub, oh I could go on & on! - Michelle
Moule
I went to Barry Island at Christmas 1986 with my Mum and Dad and aunt, uncle and cousin. We had a fantastic time
but it was also very sad knowing that the halls would be empty and sounds of Butlins redcoats and campers singing echoing
the camp forever. We came home that year with big wooden Christmas decorations that the manager of the camp said we
could take - I think my Mum still has some snowmen and a couple of Christmas trees in her loft! I suppose because everyone
knew it was closing it was made one of the best parties ever and the atmosphere was amazing and I remember singing "we'll
meet again" all linked arm in arm. I was only 12 at the time but an avid Butlins fan all the same and still am, I took
my 2 young children to Bognor and Minehead last year and we're off to Bognor again this year. - Natalie Rusher
Hello you lot! Well,well,well,didn't think I'd be hearing about Barry Island again,it's great to see so many familiar
names, memories flood back,couldn't leave the site without leaving a message and saying hello,especially to (mammy) Mervin
and Big Steve,nice hair! ha ha,just kidding! It was eleven year's ago,a lot has happened,but I cant forget the great laughs
I had working there,met and worked with great people,great entertainers,influential people! Thank's for everything.I live
back in Scotland now with my Daughter,been the vocalist in a corporate wedding band now for 'bout three year's which is great
fun, still entertaining- it's in the blood! - Craig Lawrence(SCOTTIE)
Barry-Butlins has always held a special place in my heart, from 79-83 my parents would take us (me and my brother)to
Butlins, (Minehead or Barry)i have such vivid memories of Barry, it was so great as a kid to go out in the morning (without
our parents) and be gone all day only to return for tea, (imagine that today!!!) in my minds eye Butlins is still there as
clear as day, but yesterday my husband and i had a day at Barry, as we turned the corner i was stunned to see what they have
done,there is not a trace of Butlins left! what once was the glorious site of the ballroom and fun pool and the challets along
the cliff top is now hundreds of new houses, i cannot express how sad this made me feel (i wish i had never seen it!)the once
iconic site from the beach is now a bunch of houses! leaving behind a lonley beach with no spirit!....RIP Barry-Butlins your
memory will be treasured forever in my heart *wipes away tears* - Joanne Lynn
Chief lifeguard from 1977 to the end (86)on and off!!! also stage crew, I know all the gang!! mark bates, billy moriarty,
tony scouse! ann wild, tony and frank murphy, dazzling dave( god bless him ) and mandy, ann hughes, roy the boy!! jeff guppy,john
wilson(manager)dave and tina simpson,(compare,old time music hall)etc etc!!! - Gareth Evans
Both my husband and I worked at Barry Island from 1977 to 1978. My husband (who was then my boyfriend) worked in Security
and I worked in the Nursery. We were both very sad when it closed as we are still in contact with a few friends who worked
with us. So we are celebrating our 30th Anniversary next year by still writing, emailling and visiting (May 1st this year)
2 of our friends. We live in Australia and will be coming over to work in the UK for 16 weeks. I was very disappointed when
I tried to apply for work at Bognor and told that I have to work for a minimum of 6 months now. We're only staying for 4 months
so it was really sad for me not to work at a Butlins again. Thanks Sir Billy! - Gail and Robert Thomson
Holidayed there 1986-1998 at least 2-3 times a year spent some of the best times of my life there. all my teenage years
and made some great friends ( as there was lots of regulars)i have a house locally these days and Barry Island is just not
the same without the camp. - Kerry Bailey
OMG.......... Barry Island was the best holiday of my life so far. Meeting all the Bluecoats was fab, i was 13 when i
first went there and i always wanted to be a bluecoat. I remember Mrs Blobby and Marmite kid. I thought u were great lol.
Then the last time i went was the best ever. Two Bluecoats made my holiday. Natalie and Simon. They were the guys who looked
after us teenagers lol. Natalie, Simon if you read this add a message and hopefully get in contact. Same to you mrs blobby
and marmite kid. I still got the pics of you all. Am so glad i did some surfing! - Sarah Newton
I was a guest at Barry Island for 10 years from the age of 6. They may have knocked it down but they can't take all those
happy memories!!! - Lucy Neal
Well Guys last years reunion was fabeerooni (although i have to admit, i got so pi**ed on the fri night i did leave early
on the sat as i felt so crap!)I hope the lady that needed my medical assistance is ok now, and hoping to see you at this years
reunion.... well this year I myself will be crooning a tune or two (known as Charlie Monroe)but have to admit am a bit nervous
about but hey... thats entertainment!! he he! What was great about last year was it was prodomently blues from the years i
worked there which was so great.... i also met a few great people like, Ian fullerton, Jase the face and the rest of ya you
know who you are!! Well all i can say is Roll on November 2006!!! See ya there!! - Mrs Blobby
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