Babs Morrison Untold Butlins Story

Madeleine (Babs) Untold Butlin's Story

Working alongside Sir Billy Butlin on several occasions, Babs has a great deal of knowledge about Butlins. Representing the Redcoats to a high standard, Bab's continues the Sir Billy Butlin spirit to this very date. I am so very lucky to be able to call Babs a friend.

Bab's name is Madeleine, it was changed at Butlins as it was too long. At Minehead, for the first two weeks, Madeleine was known as Lena, then when she was moved to Clacton she had to hand everything back including the Lena badge. Arriving at Clacton, Madeleine was given the name Babs.

In loving Memory of Doris & Harry Palmer

I am extremely honoured to show you the story of Bab's parents, Harry and Doris Palmer. Taking their daughter to Butlin's from a young age, they would enjoy the Butlin's atmosphere that was on offer to all the campers. With so many new memories being created with their holiday, Harry and Doris would enjoy the dance competitions.

The holidays at Butlins had extra meaning as their daughter Madeleine wanted to become a Redcoat. Each and every time they had a break, the more Madeleine wanted to become a part of the Butlin's story.

Mark Banks and Butlin's Memorabilia send our highest respect and love to Mr and Mrs Palmer.

Doris and Harry Untold Story

The Butlin's story for Babs started with her Mum and Dad. Two marvellous people who had shown their daughter about Sir Billy Butlins Sprit, This photo was taken in 1949 in Skegness with the original chalets in the background.

Butlin's was the place where Babs, Doris, and Harry had enjoyed a great deal. In this photo, they had ventured to Filey and was having a great time. This fantastic photo shows you the power of the Butlin's name.

This is Reg & Doris Spriggs, The Old Time Dance Instructors

Reg & Doris in Reds, again with Mum, just look at the size of the band behind them.

In this photo, you can see Bab's dad on the front left and Babs mum on the front right. Bab is sitting next to her mum. This was taken with Babs was about seven. It would be either Filey or Skegness.

Doris & Harry Palmer had enjoyed performing the dancing competitions at Butlin's. Showing everyone how the dancing is to be done correctly, Doris and Harry had the very spirit of Sir Billy Butlin within them.

With the live music playing, the dancing competitions were the entertainment they loved a great deal. In this photo, they had just won the Veleta heat.

Not in Butlins, this is a photo of Doris with Babs at Loch Katrine. Glasgow main Water supply. This was taken in 1970.

Madeleine at Butlins on holiday

It was this photo, taken in 1949 when Babs had known that she was becoming a Redcoat in the future. The smile on Babs face here says it all.

Bab's with her dad in Skegness (1949/50)

Before the Monorail Train in Skegness

Boating Gala day at Skegness. Me and that lady finished up flat out in the boating lake, Louie and Dennis turned our boat over.

Me on holiday in Butlin's Skegness 1960.

Madeleine becomes Lena the Redcoat

On a train going towards Somerset are a lot of people excited to arrive at a brand new Butlin's opening in Minehead. Madeleine was one of these people as they arrived at the reception to receive the details of their department. As the new members of staff received their details, Madeleine was told that her name was too big for the name badge. To solve this problem, they decided that it was easier to call her Lena.

Saturday the 26th of May 1962 is an important moment in the Butlin's timeline as the gates open for the first time to the campers. Lena was one of the first Redcoats to be there and see the many new campers arrive in excitement to see the new camp. Working in her department, Lena would be a part of the Butlins Radio.

Madeleine becomes Babs the Redcoat

After the second week at Butlin's Minehead, there was a need for a Redcoat to help with radio Butlin at Clacton. With the other Redcoats already having another area to concentrate on, Madeleine was the one to be chosen to transfer to the second eldest camp in Butlin's.

Leaving Minehead, Madeleine had to give back her brand new Redcoat uniform and no longer use her Redcoat name Lena. It was a new chapter of Madeleine Butlin's story as she arrives in Clacton to start her task as a Redcoat. Receiving her uniform, she noticed that her uniform was the older design. Getting all the information about her department and task, she was to now be known as Redcoat Babs.

Babs shared this photo with me and told me this;

"This was the first-night l arrived at Clacton in the South Seas Bar, with another Redcoat Butlin girl and two stage crew."

The story of Babs the Redcoat

Babs is in a bar in Clacton with some campers.

Enjoying a meal in the dining hall in 1963.

This is a very interesting photo, with Lord Valentine Thynne, the Marquees of Baths youngest son, he became a Redcoat 1961. I met up with him at Bognor 1962/3 winter. He was lovely and known as Redcoat Val

This is a photo of the Redcoat girls at end of season "Redcoat party 1964". We are with lovely Walter Swash, who was the Deputy entertainments manager

First picture Clacton with a regular Camper.

Clacton 1962

Christmas morning Clacton, 1963

Clacton 1963

This was taken in Clacton 1963, me with Nic Ward, love the row of nappies behind us, that baby will be 60 now.

Clacton Sports Field 1965.

Clacton Viennese Ballroom in the background 1963

The Redcoats having fun on the sports field.

Me with Pauline Marlow, Winter 1963/1964, Bognor Regis Reception.

This photo is Mavis, Harry (Babs Dad) And Babs. At the Ocean Hotel Brighton.

Ocean Hotel Brighton with a regular guest.

Sun Lounge Ocean Hotel Brighton.

Pantomime, Cinderella, 1965 Ocean Hotel Brighton.

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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.

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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.

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