Butlin's Memorabilia Website
The Grand Bahama Story

To read the disclaimer about the resources used on this page, please click on these words or look towards the bottom of the page for further details

The Grand Bahama Club was gaining popularity as Bahamas Airways Ltd arranged more flights. The journey from Miami to the Grand Bahama Club would take 40 minutes, with departures on Mondays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. This indicates that Billy Butlin's vision for the resort was indeed valid, and it would thrive if he had the opportunity to pursue his plans further.

Ben W. Greene from Elizabethtown, N.C. piloted a Bonanza Crosswater aircraft to the Grand Bahama resort on April 11, 1957, accompanied by sixty privately owned planes in an event referred to as "Operation Moonbeam." This air cruise was sponsored by the North Carolina Aero Club and the South Carolina Breakfast Club. A total of 150 participants from the Carolinas, Texas, Florida, and Virginia were expected to arrive at the Grand Bahama Club in the West End. The special occasion featured a three-day getaway filled with relaxation, fishing, and dancing. Operation Moonbeam marked the fourth civilian air cruise to the Grand Bahama Club since 1955. For the source of this information, please click on these words, as I am unable to share the screenshot here. I have also found another newspaper that I am allowed to share, shown below.

The Grand Bahama Club began to establish itself as a luxury resort, attracting many holidaymakers. In 1957, a competition was held titled 'We announce the contest 'Honeymoon' of Citizens Federal.' Participants were required to answer a question for a chance to win a stay at the luxurious Bahama Club resort.

According to Bing and Google translators tells us about the article (sorry if some are wrong).

The paragraph below the iconic fountain translated is: "A paradise on a tranquil island perfect for romance...ideal for enjoying the elegant Grand Bahama Club, with its huge swimming pool, spacious gardens, and private landing strip! During those glorious 7 days with their 6 tropical nights, you will enjoy the following: a beautiful and modern room or suite ... the best champagne, also a gift ... gourmet-style lunches and meals ... excursions to a nearby island, including the boat, motor, and fishing tackle ... a visit to a seductive native club where they dance calypso, and free cocktails! Transportation through arrangements with Mackey Airlines"

The remaining part of the article explains the 2nd and 3rd rewards in this competition.

Advertising Executives
The Grand Bahama Club served as the site for the fall meeting of the Florida newspaper advertising executive, taking place on Friday, the 1st, at the resort. On the subsequent day, Saturday, November 2nd, 1957, an additional meeting was conducted, featuring Solon Southernland, who manages general advertising for the Lakeland Ledger. This was the first instance of the meeting being held outside the borders of the United States, with more than 60 newspaper executives present. The event highlighted speakers such as Mr. J.O. Doyle, general sales and marketing manager of the Edsel Division of the Ford Motor Company, and Edward T. Broadhurst Junior from the Bureau of Advertising of the American Newspaper Publishers Association Inc. The schedule for this meeting included two days of roundtable discussions and lectures. (source)

The Bahamas Annual Report 1956-1957

The development and reopening of the resort positively impacted the Bahamas and increased in popularity. In the Bahamas Annual Report of 1956 - 1957, on page 4 (page 297 overall), it states, "The resuscitated Grand Bahama Club near the settlement of West End has attracted a large number of visitors from the U.S. and its prosperous future appears assured" This small segment of the annual report illustrates that Billy Butlin had the correct strategy for this location, but luck was not on his side at that time. The resort was successful and attracted the attendance that Billy Butlin had expected back then. You can read this annual report by clicking on these words

The Grand Bahama Cup (Perpetual Cup)

The previous Butlins Bahamas resort still shares its story under the Grand Bahama Club emblem. In 1958, the Grand Bahama Club hosted the Underwater Spearfishing Championship. The trophy was named the Grand Bahama Cup, inviting each nation to send three representatives to compete. The Grand Bahama Club sponsored this event, providing complimentary accommodation and full board for four days to international teams from Italy, France, Yugoslavia, and Canada, with a limit of four participants per country.

The last championship took place in Europe, where Italy secured first place, followed by Yugoslavia in second, France in third, and the USA finishing fourth in the 1957 tournament. The travel expenses to the Grand Bahama Club amounted to $100.99, which covered the flight. This cost was justified as the resort offers everything one could desire, including babysitting services for families, clear warm waters, marine life, shells, and nightclubs for enjoyable evenings. Guests can attend the championship and enjoy accommodations at the Grand Bahama Club Resort for $11 per day. The cost for children is $7 each, or $6 if they share a room with a parent. Furthermore, the Grand Bahama Club will be hosting seven champion teams from the U.S. (Pacific Northwest, West Coast, Northeast, Atlantic, Southeast Atlantic, Gulf Coast, Great Lakes, and Central).

The June edition of Skin Diver magazine filled me with excitement as it presented a bird's-eye view of the resort, showcasing its beauty to everyone. Featured in the image are the iconic Butlins fountain, the swimming pool, and the chalet blocks, which are truly gems. This issue also highlights another sponsorship, the Amateur Athletic Union, which is hosting the international open tournament alongside the Skin Diving Championship.

In the August 1958 edition of the magazine, it was reported that the competition concluded with the Grand Bahama Club resort serving as this year's host. Taking first place with a catch weighing 65 lbs 4 oz were team members Harry McCabe, Bill Von Seggern, and Bennett Winstong, who represented the Miami Makos skin diving club. The second position was secured by the Atlanta Skin Diver club, consisting of George Krazle, Eugene Vezzani, and Hans Eric Fishcer, who caught a fish weighing 58 lbs. The Palm Beach Fin Divers claimed third place with a catch of 46 lbs 8 oz. Additionally, history was made by Mr. George Krasle, an unknown skin diver at the time, who won the largest aggregate trophy with a total weight of 50 lbs. It was noted that Mr. Krasle would pursue his fish to depths ranging from 50 to 70 feet.

As I delved deeper into this topic, I stumbled upon another stunning photo of the former Butlins Bahamas site. The article is named "U.S. National Competitive Skin Diving Championship, U.S. Open Invitational Skin Diving Meet, International Open Spearfishing Championship", and it is set to be hosted once more at the Grand Bahama Club resort. It states that participants entering this event must be registered with the A.A.U by August 4th, 1958; otherwise, their entry will be rejected. Teams entering this competition must consist of three members, with no substitutions allowed once the competition has commenced. The article spans over two pages and provides a detailed explanation of the rules and the schedule for this special event. This competition was also for both male and female divers.

You can read the result from this championship from the October edition of Skin Diver by clicking on these words

In 1959, the Cape and General company aimed to sell the resort to achieve a return on their investment. Holidays Inns submitted a proposal to lease the resort for their intended use, but Cape and General rejected it, indicating their desire to sell the former Butlins resort instead. Following a review of the situation, Holidays Inns decided to withdraw their proposal and proceeded to establish a hotel at Lucayan Beach.

Butlins Memorabilia Disclaimer

Butlins Memorabilia website is the unofficial website for Butlins!

The research and details provided on the Butlins Memorabilia website have been thoughtfully assembled by Mark Banks, the site's owner. It is important to emphasize that Butlins and its owners have not reached out to me or requested that this information be collected and displayed here. Butlins has a rich legacy, with its founder, Sir Billy Butlin, celebrated for his success in establishing a company that continues to offer joy and create cherished memories. The official website for Butlins is www.butlins.com. As such, the information on this site should be considered unofficial, as the Butlins Memorabilia website is a fan-oriented endeavor.

Billy Butlin and The Grand Bahama Books

The information I discovered while investigating my favourite subject, the story of Butlin's and Sir Billy Butlin, has been incredibly engaging, as it highlights the importance of each site and its meaning to the Butlins timeline. To assist with my research, I have used notes from Sir Billy Butlin's autobiography and The Grand Bahama book for reference. The sections presented below are brief excerpts from these works, aimed at shedding light on a particular area of the Butlins Bahamas story. Each excerpt will provide full credit to the source, including the page number and details on how to obtain a copy. No scans were included; only small excerpts are provided to enhance this historical educational topic regarding the Butlins Bahamas project and its importance within the Butlins timeline.

The British Newspaper Archive

The significant and noteworthy newspaper articles featured on the Butlins Memorabilia website have been sourced from a platform known as "The British Newspaper Archive." You can explore their offerings at www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk. I am providing this link as a gesture of appreciation for their ongoing and professional service, with the hope that you may discover something of interest. The research conducted on Butlins has greatly benefited from extensive newspaper involvement, which has significantly enhanced the Butlins Memorabilia website.

The Butlins Memorabilia website operates as a non-commercial platform, created to provide free access for everyone to celebrate the remarkable history of Butlins and the legacy of Sir Billy Butlin. Each document features a watermark to recognize the copyright of the image, along with a direct link to the British Newspaper Archive website. We encourage you to review their terms and conditions regarding the sharing of items from their collection at this link: terms and conditions.

The National Archive website

This website showcases images obtained from research conducted on The National Archive website. I would like to emphasize that this site is dedicated to non-commercial use and is created, maintained, and overseen by me, Mark Banks. I invest my personal time into this project, which centers around a brand I hold dear, Butlins. The site is open to all visitors, and it is important to clarify that Butlins and its owners have no connection to this site or its content. Each image is accompanied by a credit and a link to its original source. The Butlins Memorabilia website is a personal endeavor that aims to preserve historical memories and, in some instances, provide educational insights into its history. You can find the terms and conditions of The National Archive by clicking on these words

Archive Website

This website features materials obtained from archive.org, which is known for its vast collection of memorabilia. It is essential to clarify that archive.org has no affiliation with this website or its creation. I would like to highlight that this site operates on a non-commercial basis, dedicated to celebrating Sir Billy Butlin, the holiday camps, the hotels, the campers, the guests, and the staff. Resources sourced from archive.org are presented here with watermarks to recognize their origin, and each item includes a direct link to their site. I invite you to explore their terms and conditions of use by clicking on these words to gain further insight into the applicable Creative Commons license.

Harold Charles Harley Drayton and Sir Bede Edmund Hugh Clifford Photos

I would like to clarify that the image in question is not owned by the Butlins Memorabilia website; it has been sourced from the National Portrait Gallery's website. A direct link to the original image location is provided just below the photo. It is essential to understand that the National Portrait Gallery in London is not affiliated with the Butlins Memorabilia website. This site serves as a non-commercial platform dedicated to the historical elements of Butlins. Additionally, Butlins itself has no connection to the Butlins Memorabilia website, which is a fan-driven initiative established by Mark Banks, an amateur web designer who invests his personal time into this endeavor. In accordance with the guidelines of the National Portrait Gallery, this website is categorized under Creative Commons - Websites. For further details on the available licenses, please click on these words to access the National Portrait Gallery and to review the Creative Commons license, please click on these words.

Library of Congress Newspaper Clippings

The Butlins Memorabilia website wishes to clarify that the newspaper clippings sourced from the Library of Congress website are utilized solely for educational purposes related to the historical narrative of Butlins Bahamas Vacation Village. In compliance with the established terms and conditions, these clippings will exclusively depict the history associated with Butlins. A discreet watermark will be included on the newspaper to indicate the website, along with a link to the document and any pertinent information. For further details regarding the terms and conditions, please refer to the section titled "Rights and Reproductions" by clicking on these words. I would like to clarify that the Library of Congress has not requested me to promote their website, nor do they have any affiliation with the Butlins Memorabilia website. I am sharing this link as a gesture of gratitude for the valuable service they provide to the numerous visitors who explore their site. To view their website, please visit https://www.loc.gov

The New York Historic Newspapers

The Butlins Memorabilia website wishes to clarify that the newspaper clippings sourced from the New York Historic Newspapers website are utilized solely for educational purposes related to the historical narrative of Butlins Bahamas Vacation Village. In compliance with the established terms and conditions, these clippings will exclusively depict the history associated with Butlins. A discreet watermark will be included on the newspaper to indicate the website, along with a link to the document and any pertinent information. For further details regarding the terms and conditions, please refer to the section titled "Copyright and Reproductions" by clicking on these words. I would like to clarify that the The New York Historic Newspapers project has not requested me to promote their website, nor do they have any affiliation with the Butlins Memorabilia website. I am sharing this link as a gesture of gratitude for the valuable service they provide to the numerous visitors who explore their site. To view their website, please visit https://www.nyshistoricnewspapers.org

Get in touch

When I engage with any material on the website, I always check the relevant terms and conditions. It is a privilege to share resources that provide a more comprehensive view of history, as these additional documents can enhance the narrative significantly. Prior to sharing, I make sure to gather all pertinent information regarding usage rules and give credit where appropriate. As the only person dedicated to designing and uploading these details, I wish for the process to be as smooth as possible. If you believe there is an error in the newspaper clippings that needs my attention, please feel free to contact me at your earliest convenience to discuss the matter by clicking on these words

Butlin's Memorabilia Website
The Grand Bahama Story

Grand Bahama Club

August 12th 1956

September 23rd 1956

April 10th 1957

April 15th 1957

July 18th 1957

May 12th 1957

September 15th 1957

December 1st 1957