Butlin's Memorabilia Website Celebrating Butlins History

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Where it all started

Location of where my location work was and it remains today

When I worked at Butlin's Minehead

The year is 1999 and I am an employee of Butlin's Family Entertainment Resort in Minehead, under the management of the Rank Organisation. My role was known as a "Room Attendant" and it was my job to make sure that the chalet rooms were ready for the new customers and to also maintain them during their break. I was working under the instruction of Mandy B (reduced surname as I do not have permission to use her full name) and she was the main housekeeper for Ocean Point at the time.

I am unsure if Mandy continues to work here, however, she was an amazing leader who knew how to adapt to the needs of the day with quick solution thinking, an inspiration to me with no need to panic and use what is close to you.  Working on the double-deckers, I would find new ways to expand the service and went beyond my duties to make sure that my block was representing me well. The location still remains there today, as shown on the map (behind these words).

Beachcomber

The Former Beachcomber Building, Was replaced as grass and then rebuilt as Studio 36

There was another change coming to Butlin's Minehead

Going to the housekeeper's office, I would pick up my keys for the day to start another day to keep our guests happy. Mandy would sit us all down and tell us that we are required to help with a relocating program that needed to be done. The work should not take long to do and is necessary to be done. Mandy informed us that we are moving items from a building into the Quaser unit. As we arrived, I would see that the building in question was the former Beachcomber/Wizzy World building. 

My colleagues had no problems as they got ready but for me, it was personal as this was the building that I had been in not so long ago as a camper and the memories would start to flood back to me. Holding back my tears, I would listen to the instructions from the supervisor on duty. 

The stair way

The location of the stair way

My heart was truly broken

Making our way to the stairway, I would remember the time when I use to run up these stairs with my friend Dean and my brother Robert. All the times that my nan, mum, dad and friends of the family would come here for fun. As I got to the top, the smell would hit me instantly of a time that was no more. Walking into the main area, I could see the old small arcade on the right-hand side, the bike track that I had ridden on as a youngster, the room that was filled with snooker tables and to the left, still there in great condition was the Bowlingo. It was at this moment that I was so sad to see my old friend, which I thought was gone due to the changes. A small part of my Butlins remained and it was planned to be demolished.  

Wizzy World

the wizzy world club

I did not think it would still be there!

With most of the jobs completed, some of our colleagues wanted to see more as they realised a room at the end of the building. From the stairway, this room would be directly in front of you. They asked "what's in there?" with a large smile, I said "That is the former Wizzy World, I use to go there" Even the toilets to the right-hand side remained in place with everything being where they should be, frozen in time. 

Going inside, I was deeply touched to see that the room was exactly how I remember and was just waiting to entertain the new Wizz kids. The curtains, the speakers, the lights, the seats...EVERYTHING was still there. For the others, it was "Oh, nice" but for me, it was a large upset as my depression about something deeply important to me was now at the end of its life. All the memories of this time hit me so very hard, even now as I type this, I feel so very sad as the memories of a time of no worry and pure fun...well, I guess I just love this era so very much. 

Where it all started

It changed everything and created this website

Then there was the start of the Butlin's Memorabilia collecting

So very sad, I would try to hide my upset from others but deep down inside me, I was so very upset. As we were coming towards the end of the job, I noticed something on the floor. Picking it up, I had this item in my hands reminding me that Butlin's Holiday Worlds is somewhere, in this case, a cloth. I asked the supervisor "May I have this please?" with a look on his face he said, "That old thing, it's worthless and needs to be in the bin but you can have it if you want". I took it back to my chalet and I admit, I cried so very much on this day as I realised that my Butlin's was gone.

The scan here is an old one showing a large watermark however, the story of this important item remains strong in my heart. It took me several weeks to get past this moment and that was because of my visit to another old friend in town, called the Monorail train. Now today, it's a symbol to me that my era of Butlin's is indeed gone but not forgotten. This cloth, as silly as it might read, is extremely important to me and something that remains close to my heart. 

Supplied by Butlins

Shampoo set
Shampoo items 
Sink items
Kitchen items
Sink items
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Who and What is Butlin's Memorabilia Website

Mark Banks owns and created this website to show his collection of Butlin's memorabilia items. It was created during my spare time at work and is a hobby of mine and has since grown into a site that offers a chance for others to smile. This website is NOT the official website for Butlin's and is NOT the official archive of Butlin's at any stage. The website has expanded to show stories, with permission from that person, of a moment in Butlin's from people who are either a customer or former staff. This website is in loving memory of all that had come to this amazing company and to Sir William Butlin, the founder.  This website also has information about research regarding Butlin's history with information obtained from the research I made, which is not official. 

Butlins Memorabilia extra areas

This website is made and maintained by me, Mark Banks, as a fan site to celebrate the amazing Butlins name as it has such a large meaning to me.  Below is additional information about the website and answers to questions that you might be thinking of (hopefully I have covered them all, if not, get in touch)

Learn more about the Butlins Memorabilia website by clicking on these words

Butlins Memorabilia Support and help

If you get stuck and need help with an area of the website, please click on these words to read the about known problems and how to solve them

The Untold Stories of Butlin's

The website has expanded to now include an area called "Untold Stories of Butlin's". These stories have been added to the site by a member of my group who has shared their moment at Butlin's. These stories are not from the official company and are from the person it represent, as shown on the page. The stories shared are from that person's memory and show the magic of Butlin's on how it creates that special moment. 

If you are not official, who is Mark?

Butlin's Memorabilia is NOT the official website for Butlins. This site is also NOT the official website for the archive of Butlin's. The owners of Butlin's, Butlin's company, and Butlins.com have NOT approached me to design this site. They have no involvement with the development of the website or with the information that is shown. I am extremely thankful that they allow me to continue showing you their company's rich history. 

The number one website for Butlins is always, www.butlins.com where you see all the information about booking a break.

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