Two weeks ago I was selected to be a Butlins Ambassador which is fab news because I think Butlins holidays are great resorts for children, and I know that my two are going to really enjoy themselves.
I recently visited Butlins last December for the Tots 100 Christmas Party and I was honestly taken aback by how modern and up to date Butlins has become in recent years. I mean, why wouldn’t it be this way. It , like any other business, needs to move with the times and compete in a very competitive industry. I was pleasantly surprised by the Butlins of today because the last time I had visited a resort was back in 1986 when I stayed at Minehead (which is where I will be returning next May as part of my Ambassador role). So of course it was bound to have altered in 25 years!!! I would have been shocked if it had remained in a time warp!!
The first time I stayed on holiday at Butlins was actually the year before in the summer of 1985, when my grandparents took my brother and I to Bognor Regis. I was 11 and it was the summer before I started secondary school.
Here is what it looked like back then
A few things stand out in my mind about that holiday:
I bought a white plastic chain mail style bag (like those jelly shoes) – loved that bag!!
Madonna Get Into The Groove went to number one while I stayed there
Agadoo was very popular in the disco entertainment
I came 3rd in the Picture Of Health competition, where I had to parade in my swimming costume and then I wore my favourite outfit (see below). I entered the same competition the next year at Minehead and I was 3rd again!! I am sure my Nan has a photo of me in my swimming costume taken at Butlins when I had to pose as part of my ‘parade’ – oh the embarrassment!!
Imagine if they ran that kind of competition nowadays! There would probably be uproar and if it went ahead I can just imagine girls being made to look like those who enter those American pageant competitions!!
I remember that we stayed in a room only type apartment, and to be honest it was very basic and nothing like the plush accommodation I experienced at Bognor last December!! Here is my Nanny inside our apartment
Look at those curtains!!! I know we ate our meals in a huge canteen style room – again think more school dining room than the restaurants Butlins uses nowadays for its meals.
Back then I think I even contemplated that I would like to have be a redcoat when I was older because I knew that a lot of TV stars started off as one. As I always wanted to be a TV presenter, I thought that being a redcoat would be a good idea because it could help me land my dream job! But I didn’t become one of course!
I was a bit embarrassed to have my picture taken with this Butlins bunny!!! Look at the way his tongue is hanging out – creepy!!
Now its your turn
Please link up any flashback – it can be anything as there is no theme this week and from any time – yesteryear or even yesterday. Remember a flashback is just that – a flash back in time and time can be anytime 🙂
Please link up below and grab my badge (or Lauren’s if you prefer)
I look forward to seeing your flashbacks
And the winner is…..
Last week we had a prize draw and Emma won!!! yay well done to her 🙂
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Thank you xx
Thank you xx
Ahhhh 80’s Butlins!! Not sure why I’ve never thought to do this post! I’ve written four now for Flashback Fridays but never gone back this far, we went in 1986 and 1987 I think it was. Guess what I’ll be digging out in the next few weeks now!
Awww lovely post! Butlins definitely has changed! xx
Loving the retro butlins snaps :))) well done u becoming an ambassador! Big congrats (will drink to that and several other things later… Lol) x I’m looking for a good one to hook up with on ur linky as we speak (type. Whatever.) xxx love it 😉
How lovely of your grandparents to take you on holiday. Well done on coming 3rd, although you are bloody gorgeous so clearly should have come 1st!
Your smile is so much like Burtons on the first photo of you isn’t it! Spitting image! xx
lol that rabbit is creepy. What a great post. We had a Butlins in Scotland back then and it was fab, just like how you described. xx
Oh lucky you! That is my local butlins too. My mate goes there every year
what a lovely story, have to say i laughed out loud at that bunny!! will try and have a go at this linky next week. I have never been to butlins and so im really looking forward to taking the kids and so chuffed to be a butlinsambassador – My OH also went to the Minehead one years ago. You may have been there at the same time!!?