The Butlin's Redcoats
The Butlin's Redcoats
The Redcoats concept has its roots in the first holiday camp in Skegness, which opened in 1936. When the gates opened for the first time, showcasing the Butlins logo, Billy Butlin noticed that his campers were not very active and looked quite bored. This was not part of his vision or plan, and he recognised that it was essential to take action to create the Butlin's magic.
Understanding the urgency of the situation, Billy Butlin asked Norman Bradford, an engineer at the camp, to step onto the stage and entertain the crowd with some jokes. This was the moment when the magic of Butlin's was created, as the campers relished the night. Nevertheless, the Redcoats had not yet come into existence; the idea was there, but the name was not.
Billy instructed Norman to look for a uniform in town that would represent the new area of his camp. Norman returned with a jacket showcasing the camp's colours: blue, yellow, and white. As Billy tried it on, he evaluated if it reflected his vision. However, he felt that the choices were not quite right, as they appeared authoritarian.
Upon giving Norman Bradford a red blazer with white lapels, he would look to determine if it provided him with the magical feeling of Butlin's. This was the moment that gave rise to the Butlin's Redcoats, with Norman Bradford being the first person to wear the notable red jacket. As the team was set to expand, Billy Butlin would request Billie Ditchfield to create additional jackets to symbolize his camp. Billie Ditchfield and Kay Berry also became the pioneering female Redcoats.
