Butlins and the changing British seaside holiday.pdf - First News

and the changing British seaside holidayAbout this resourceThrough looking at the Butlins example, this resource provides materials and activities for thesocial history topic of how the British seaside holiday has changed over the last 60 years. Bycomparing past and present holidays at Butlins, it aims to encourage class discussion aboutwhat this tells us about our changing society. This resource can be used as part of the QCA KS2History Unit 13: How has life in Britain changed since 1948.Activity 5 can be used, optionally, to enter a Butlins competition: please note, the deadlinefor this competition is 1st June 2012. More details can be found within this activity.Area: Social HistoryAge Range: KS 2 - Years 5 & 6, KS3 - Year 7Subject: The British seaside holiday: past, present and future• What a seaside holiday was like in the 1950s• What our past and present holidays tell us about our changing society• What our holidays might be like in the futureContents•The Story of Butlins and the Seaside HolidayBackground information for teachers• Activities1) Introducing Holiday CampsIntroduce a 1950s holiday camp vacation by displaying the original 1950s colour advertisement‘Your first day at a Butlin Holiday Camp’ on an interactive whiteboard. Explain why Billy Butlinopened his first holiday camp using the background information.Suggested activity: As you look at the photos and descriptions brainstorm all the differententertainments and facilities that you come across.Uses resource A2) 1950s Holiday HuntLearn about a 1950s holiday. Find out about the accommodation, facilities and entertainmentto be found in a 1950s Butlins holiday camp by looking at source material and answering thequestions.Uses resources B, C, D, & E3) Oh We (Still) Do Like To Be Beside The Seaside!Compare & contrast a 1950s holiday to a 2012 holiday.Uses resources B, C, D, E & FButlins educational resource from First News

and the changing British seaside holiday4) Postcard from the 50sUse your research to imagine what a holiday in the 50s would be like and write a postcardto a friendUses resources B, C, D, & E5) Holidays in the FuturePlan your own ideal hotel room for the future (with optional competition entry).• ResourcesA Original 1950s Butlin’s advertisement: ‘Your first day at a Butlin Holiday Camp’B 1952 Map of Butlin’s, SkegnessC 1950s Entertainment Guide information: Juniors Entertainment Guide & SpecialAnnouncements*D 1950s Entertainment Guide information: Competition Page* and two photographs of a chaletinteriorE Four original postcardsF Artist impressions of the new Wave Hotel & Apartments at Butlins Bognor RegisG The First News advertorial for Butlins Bognor Regis resort and the new Wave Hotel andApartments complex.*Please note, this information is from an original 1950s entertainment brochure but has beenrelaid to make it more accessible.AcknowledgmentsWith thanks to Roger Billington, The Butlins ArchiveButlins educational resource from First News

and the changing British seaside holidayBackground information for teachersChildren may find it hard to believe, but there was a time when people didn’t have holidays anddidn’t go to the seaside for fun! The vogue of visiting the seaside for pleasure took hold in the18th century when Dr Richard Russell published a work suggesting that sea water was goodfor your health. Royalty made the practice popular when King George III bathed regularly inthe sea at Weymouth for his ill-health and his son, the Prince Regent, set up home in Brighton.Visiting the sea soon took over from the previously fashionable practice of going to the spa.The industrial revolution of the 19th century gave many more people the money, time andtransport to visit the sea for a holiday. The expansion of the railways saw more seaside townscome in reach of working class people and towns such as Blackpool, Brighton andMorecambe flourished as resorts. The tradition of the seaside holiday was established.But where to stay? In the early 20th century most poorer people stayed in boarding houses,which locked you out during the day, other than for lunch. In the early 20s, one boarding houseguest in rainy Barry, Wales, was William Butlin.He realised there was an opportunity to offer something so much better and in 1936 he openedhis first holiday resort in Skegness, Lincolnshire, to accommodate 1000 British holidaymakers.Holiday camps had been around since the turn of the century but the size, scale and facilitiesthat Butlin’s offered was unprecedented and led the way in the UK package holiday. In 1936 aweek’s summer holiday cost £2.12s.6d per person.The aim of the camp was to offer a place of fun and relaxation which would delight familiesand where they could escape from their everyday lives in 1930s and then post-war Britain. Thefirst camp opened under the Butlin’s motto ‘Our True Intent Is All For Your Delight’ which wasemblazoned over the camp buildings.It was an immediate success and he quickly opened a second camp at Clacton. His timing wasimpeccable, for in 1938 The Annual Holiday Bill gave workers the right to a paid holiday forthe first time. Butlin came out with a slogan: “Holidays with pay: Holidays with play. A week’sholiday for a week’s wages.”Between 1937 and 1972 eight additional Butlin’s camps were opened across the UK in Ayr, Barry,Bognor Regis, Clacton, Filey, Minehead, Mosney and Pwllheli.Butlin’s pioneered the idea of the all-inclusive fee and the camps provided all that afamily could want from shopping arcades, fairgrounds, railways, theatres andballrooms to an incredible range of sporting and entertainment facilitieshosted by the famous ‘redcoats’.Butlins educational resource from First News

and the changing British seaside holidayThe post-war years saw a boom in the popularity of holiday camps and, after including selfcateringoptions, demand continued - peaking in 1972 with Butlin’s taking a record 1 millionbookings.Butlin’s became part of the national experience and many famous names sprung from theButlin’s stage:• Ringo Starr was working in a resort band when he got the telephone call to join theBeatles;• The first song Paul McCartney performed live in public was Long Tall Sally in a Butlin’sTalent Competition;• Francis Rossi met Rick Parfitt whilst working at the Minehead resort from where theyformed Status Quo;• Annie Lennox won a Butlin’s singing competition and Catherine Zeta-Jones won a talentcontest at Butlin’s, Pwllheli.However, 1952 had witnessed the flight of the UK’s first commercial jet – the De HavillandComet - which was to make European holidays possible for ordinary people and in the 70sand 80s package holidays to Europe became the summer holiday of choice for many. SeveralButlin’s camps were closed in the 80s and 90s with three remaining open: Bognor Regis,Minehead and Skegness.These three resorts have been transformed through massive investment into sophisticatedmodern holiday resorts which welcome about 1.5 million guests per year.After a brief hiatus where the name of Butlin’s was removed, and efforts were made to separatepast from present (such as banning the phrase ‘Hi-de-hi’ in 1986!) , Butlins is once again proudof its heritage, with fashionable British designers creating the Redcoat uniform. New facilitiessuch as the Wave Hotel and Apartments at Bognor Regis are designed to meet every need ofthe very modern family. Looking at how the Butlins holiday has changed over the decades tellsus a lot about our changing society and, in particular, how the wants and needs of families haschanged over the past 60 years. Although he might not recognise the ultra-modern facilitieson offer in Bognor Regis, Sir Billy Butlin would probably think they stay true to his motto: ‘OurTrue Intent Is All For Your Delight’.Note for teachers:In the past Butlins was spelt with an apostrophe as it was Billy ‘Butlin’s’ holiday camp. In recenttimes the brand has evolved and is now known as ‘Butlins’ except in its logo.Butlins educational resource from First News

Activity 2A 1950s Holiday HuntCan you find out what it was like to have a seaside holiday in the 1950s?When you arrived at your holiday camp you would be given a map and a guide describing all the entertainmentsand services there for you to enjoy, included in the price of your holiday. Some of these original 1950s documentshave been copied for you. Have a look at the original map of Skegness Camp in 1952, theentertainment information and other pictures from Butlin’s in the 1950sHunt down the answers to the questions below.Find the photos showing inside a 50s chalet.Which very ‘modern’ facilities were included?Cross out the wrong answers.BathCarpetsTVHot and cold waterShowerTelephoneCurtained wardrobeFill in the numbers:Where is the boating lake?How many theatres are there?Where can a mum go to washher baby’s nappies?Can you complete 11-year-old Sam’s holiday itinerary?Sam’s DaySunday September 21st 1958Time Activity Location10-11amJunior Campers RoomRounders Match5-6pm7.30-8.30pmJunior Campers RoomWhat service is provided if you want a cup oftea when you wake up?What types of dancing can you do?Clue: Look at the map 18 & 31What activities do you do at these locations?2563 & 64767Are the chalets arranged inrows, crescents (semi-circles)or tower blocks?and the changing British seaside holiday

Activity 2A 1950s Holiday Hunt...continuedWhat are ‘social cycles’?What can you do at 13 & 15?Give yourself a bonus point if you know why these would be so important?What popular sports can you try at 56!What activity do you do in the Quiet Lounge?Clue: Look at a photoWhich two competitions might members of your family want to enter?and the changing British seaside holiday

Activity 2A 1950s Holiday Hunt AnswersCan you find out what it was like to have a seaside holiday in the 1950s?When you arrived at your holiday camp you would be given a map and a guide describing all the entertainmentsand services there for you to enjoy, included in the price of your holiday. Some of these original 1950s documentshave been copied for you. Have a look at the original map of Skegness Camp in 1952, theentertainment information and other pictures from Butlin’s in the 1950sHunt down the answers to the questions below.Find the photos showing inside a 50s chalet.Which very ‘modern’ facilities were included?Cross out the wrong answers.BathCarpetsTVHot and cold waterShowerTelephoneCurtained wardrobeFill in the numbers:Where is the boating lake?How many theatres are there?Where can a mum go to washher baby’s nappies?58361Can you complete 11-year-old Sam’s holiday itinerary?Sam’s DaySunday September 21st 1958Time Activity Location10-11am Putting CompetitionJunior Campers Room11 - 12am Rounders MatchSports Field5-6pm7.30-8.30pmWatch TVAmerican Square DancingTelevision RoomJunior Campers RoomWhat service is provided if you want a cup oftea when you wake up?You can get a vacuum flask of tea to take toyour chalet the night beforeWhat types of dancing can you do?Old Time Dancing andRock ‘n’ RollClue: Look at the map (18) (31)What activities do you do at these locations?25 (Roller) Skating63 & 64 Watch TV7 Go to church67 IroningAre the chalets arranged inrows, crescents (semi-circles)or tower blocks?rowsand the changing British seaside holiday

Activity 2A 1950s Holiday Hunt AnswersWhat are ‘social cycles’?Cycles where two riders sit side-by-side (A bit like a pedalo onwheels!)What can you do at 13 and 15?Send and receive your postGive yourself a bonus point if you know why these would be so important?Without email, mobiles or phones in your chalet, this wouldhave been the main way to communicate with the outsideworld!What popular sports can you try at (56)!BilliardsTable TennisDartsWhat activity do you do in the Quiet Lounge?ReadingWhich two competitions might members of your family want to enter?The Knobbly Knees ContestThe Glamorous Grandmother of Great Britain Contestand the changing British seaside holiday

Oh We (Still) Do Like To Be Beside The Seaside!How does a holiday from the 1950s compare to a similar holiday today? Look at the original Butlins’ material from the 1950s and theadvertisement for the current Bognor Regis resort and the new Waves Hotel and Apartments and photographs.Activity 3• Can you find features of the accommodation, facilities or entertainment which were part of a 1950s holiday but which you are unlikelyto find today? • What does the modern resort offer which you wouldn’t have found in the past? • Are there features of a seaside holiday whichwere enjoyed both in the past and today?A 1950s holiday Enjoyed by both A 2012 holidaye.g. the beachWhat do these similarities and differences tell us about how our lives have changed?and the changing British seaside holiday

A Postcard from the 5osActivity 4 - ExampleWhat have you discovered about a holiday in the 1950s?Imagine you are having a holiday at Butlin’s in the 50s. Which of the entertainments and activitieson offer would you enjoy? Write a postcard to a friend telling them all about your family holiday.Here’s an example to get you started:Tuesday July 29th 1958Dear Dorothy,I am having a fantastic time here atButlin’s. I have hardly seen the grownupsall week! Every day I go rollerskating and swimming and I even getto watch TV! M&D are looking veryrelaxed – probably because they godancing in the ballroom every night– and I reckon Nanny might win theGlamorous Grandma contest. Mustdash – time for the Redcoats show.Love BillyDorothy Paine59 Vicarge RoadNortholtMiddlesexand the changing British seaside holiday

A Postcard from the 5osActivity 4What have you discovered about a holiday in the 1950s?Imagine you are having a holiday at Butlin’s in the 50s. Which of the entertainments and activitieson offer would you enjoy? Write a postcard to a friend telling them all about your family holiday.Then, cut out the front and back of the postcard and stick them together.and the changing British seaside holiday

and the changing British seaside holidayA Holiday in the Future: Sun, Sea, Sand and… ?Family life and our seaside holidays have changed a lot over the last 60 years.How do you think they might change in the future?Can you design your own ideal hotel room for the future?You need to think carefully - will it include a climbing wall and ice cream machine, perhaps therewill be robots to help tidy your room or maybe there are flumes taking you straight to the pool?Let your imagination run wild - but remember to think about what your family may like too!STEP 1) Design planningHave a think about what each member of your family would like and what ‘mod-cons’ of thefuture you could create using the table below:Activity 5Family member Things they enjoy Possible features for my hotel room of the futureFor exampleDadYour Family…FishingSwimmingFishing rods on the balcony overlooking thesea with a sensor to tell Dad if a fish is biting.Inbuilt salt water baths with a view of the sea.and the changing British seaside holiday

and the changing British seaside holidayA Holiday in the Future: Sun, Sea, Sand and… ? continued.STEP 2) Create your masterpiece!Now use the outline below below to plan your Butlin’s hotel room of the future. Remember toinclude the best of your interesting future ‘mod-cons’ to keep all your family entertained on theirholiday in the future.BALCONYMAIN ROOMKIDS’ ROOMENTRANCEBATHROOMand the changing British seaside holiday

and the changing British seaside holidayA Holiday in the Future: Sun, Sea, Sand and… ? continued.STEP 3) Explain your plan below in up to 200 words.Remember to explain what each room or area is for, and what the features are and who in yourfamily would like them!CompetitionIf you have created your future hotel room before 25th May 2012 why not enter the competitionto win a weekend break at Wave Hotel & Apartments for you and your family? First News hasteamed up with Butlins to offer one lucky reader and their family (two adults and two children)the chance to win a fantastic 3-night stay in a Reef Apartment, complete with a sea-view.The winner’s design will be brought to life by Butlins professional designers and hung in pride ofplace at Wave Hotel and Apartments.Send your plan and your explanation (up to 200 words) to Wave First News, Butlins, 1 Park Lane,Hemel Hempstead, HP2 4YL. Don’t forget to include your name, address and phone number. Theclosing date for the competition is 25th May 2012 and full terms and conditions are available onthe www.butlins.comand the changing British seaside holiday

Zoom in to read the text. Original 1950s Butlins advertismentResource Aand the changing British seaside holiday

Map of Butlins Skegness 1952Resource Band the changing British seaside holiday

Butlins Entertainment Guide - Information from 1958Resource Cand the changing British seaside holiday

Butlins Entertainment Guide - Information from 1958Resource DInterior of a 1950s Butlins chalet showing all the latest ‘mod-cons’and the changing British seaside holiday

1950s Butlins’ PostcardsResource Eand the changing British seaside holiday

Images of the new Butlins Wave Hotel & Apartments in Bognor RegisResource FNew two and three bedroom apartments withbig balconies in WaveChildren have a separate bedroom from their parentsAn artist’s impression of the new Wave Hoteland Apartments at Butlins Bognor RegisAn impression of the cafe on the ground floor.and the changing British seaside holiday

WAVE HOTEL & APARTMENTSWAVE Hotel & Apartments is the newest hotel at Butlins Bognor Regis resort. Withits fresh and funky design, the hotel is jam-packed with loads of 21st centurytechnology and gadgets, from iPod docking stations in each room and a high-tech3D gaming room to a Kindle Library and iPad check-in desks!After speaking to different families from across the UK, Butlins is building the hotelwith this feedback in mind – making sure you have the best time!There are 215 bedrooms and 29 apartments over eight storeys, all designed with aquirky under-the-sea feel and cool extra touches offering everything a family needson a seaside break.THE APARTMENTS:This is the first Butlins hotel tofeature self-catering apartments.Each two or three-bedroomapartment has a spacious lounge,complete with fish wall, kitchenand dining area, and a balconywith views of the sea.THE KINDLE LIBRARY:Introducing the firstKindle Library – taketime out to read yourfavourite books andmagazines, withhundreds of bedtimestories to borrow duringyour stay.WIFI:Surf the net at Wave Hotel& Apartments with free WiFiavailable throughout theTHE ROOMS:You can sleep in a Seahorse, Dolphin or Octopus room,all of which are designed for a family of four. Each hasa separate room for children (so no need to share withmum and dad) which has bunk beds with built-in TVsand DVD players. The main room has a sitting area, floorto ceiling windows and an iPod docking station.DID YOUKNOW?After the BBC, Butlins has thelargest costume wardrobe in the UK.There will be 11,000 square metresof carpet at Wave Hotel & Apartments,which is enough to carpet TrafalgarSquare.The word ‘Redcoat’ appears in theOxford English Dictionary and in UKspell checks.There will be up to 52,500 stories inthe Kindle Library – which equates to12,000 hours of bedtime stories.AT 8,000 square metres, SkylinePavilion is approximately equivalent insize to Wembley football pitch – actingas a giant umbrella, 9,000 peoplecould fit underneath it.FAMILY GAMES ROOM:The Family Games Room offersthe latest 3D and video gamesand experiences. There will be Wiiconsoles, Nintendo Mario Kart,and iMacs – the perfect place forsome healthy competition andfamily rivalry.REFRESHMENTS:There’s a funky café onthe ground floor and a newrestaurant, The Deck – so thereare plenty of chances for thefamily to share the highlights oftheir day while eating together!

WAVE HOTEL & APARTMENTSTHE SKYLINE PAVILION:The Skyline Pavilion is at theheart of the Bognor Regis resortand there is always plenty for youto do and see while you’re there,with shows and entertainmentevery day.BUTLINS BOGNOR REGISAS well as Wave Hotel & Apartments, Butlins Bognor Regishas lots for families to do, so here’s a little tasterof what you can get up to:RESTAURANTS:No chance of running out of choices for breakfast, lunchand dinner at the Bognor Regis resort, with a mixtureof buffet-style restaurants, where you can pick a little ofeverything you like, and places to grab a quick snack.Brian Turner has also opened his own restaurant on theresort – perfect for a family meal while you’re away.THE BEACH:Roll up those trousersand take off those socks.Oh, we do like to bebeside the seaside –which is exactly whereButlins is!ENTERTAINMENT:You’ll never be bored at Butlins,where you can dip into the pool atSplash Waterworld, burn rubberon the Go-Kart track or take itto new heights on the climbingwall. As if all that wasn’t enough,there is also the funfair, adventureplayground and a choice of sportscoaching, including fencing,archery and circus skills, as well asarts and crafts sessions.WIN a weekend break at Wave Hotel & Apartments for you and your family!FIRST News has teamed up with Butlins to offer one lucky reader and their family (two adults and two children) the chance to win a fantastic three-nightstay in a Reef Apartment, complete with a sea view. There will be plenty of time to enjoy all of the activities and entertainment on offer with your family.As Wave Hotel & Apartments has a focus on technology, we would like you to create yourideal hotel room for the future. You need to think carefully – will it include a climbing wall andice cream machine, perhaps there will be robots to help tidy your room or maybe there areflumes taking you straight to the pool? Let your imagination run wild – but remember to thinkabout what your family may like too!The winner’s design will be brought to life by Butlins professional designers and hung inpride of place at Wave Hotel & Apartments.Use the outline below to create your masterpiece and send it, along with up to 200 words toexplain your plan, to Wave First News, Butlins, 1 Park Lane, Hemel Hempstead, HP2 4YL. Don’tforget to include your name, address and phone number.The closing date for the competition is 25 May 2012.For more inspiration, take a look at the Butlins website: www.butlins.comENTRANCEBALCONYBATHROOMMAIN ROOMKIDS’ ROOMTerms and Conditions: the three-night break is subject to terms and conditions as stated in the current Butlins brochure, and is subject to availability. Accommodation is for a family of four (two adults and two children aged up to 14).Prize is valid until 31 March 2013, excluding Christmas, New Year and Bank Holidays. They are non-transferable, cannot be exchanged for other prizes and travel is not included. Artwork cannot be returned. By entering the competition,Butlins has the right to duplicate the artwork for use in Wave Hotel & Apartments or publication of articles in relation to competition.Find out more about Wave Hotel and Bognor Regis resort at www.butlins.com