Starting collecting your Butlins Clacton memorabilia items with eBay, have a look at these items below

Babs Untold Story

Madeleine (Babs) Untold Butlin's Story

Having worked alongside Sir Billy Butlin on several occasions, Babs has a wealth of knowledge about Butlins. Representing the Redcoats to a high standard, Babs carries on the Sir Billy Butlin spirit to this day. I am so lucky to have Babs as a friend.

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

Babs Story

In loving Memory of Doris & Harry Palmer

 It is a great honour for me to share with you the story of Bab's parents, Harry and Doris Palmer. Having taken their daughter to Butlin's from a very young age, they would enjoy the Butlin's atmosphere offered to all campers. With so many new memories to be made on holiday, Harry and Doris would enjoy the dance competitions.

Holidays at Butlins took on a special meaning as their daughter Madeleine wanted to be a Redcoat. Every time they had a break, Madeleine wanted to be part of the Butlin's story even more.

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

Doris and Harry Untold Story

Babs Untold Butlins 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.

Babs Untold Butlins Story

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.

Babs Untold Butlins Story

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

Babs Untold Butlins Story

Babs Untold Butlins Story

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

Babs Untold Butlins Story

Babs Untold Butlins Story

Babs Untold Butlins Story

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.

Babs Untold Butlins Story

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.

Babs Untold Butlins Story

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.

Babs Untold Butlins Story

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

Babs Untold Butlin's Story


This is a powerful photo that shows how proud Doris and Harry are of their daughter. This photo is so treasured because it shows how proud Babs' parents are of what their daughter has achieved. There is nothing in my collection that compares to this photo. This photo was taken at Clacton playing fields. Babs would get day passes for her family to visit the place they loved.

In this photo is Babs aunt Lily on the left, Babs dad's sister, Doris (mum), Harry (dad) and of course Babs..

Madeleine at Butlins on holiday

Babs Untold Butlin's Story

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.

Babs Untold Butlin's Story

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

Babs Untold Butlin's Story

Before the Monorail Train in Skegness

Babs Untold Butlin's Story

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

Babs Untold Butlin's Story

Me on holiday in Butlin's Skegness 1960.

Babs Untold Butlin's Story

Babs Butlins Untold Story

Madeleine becomes Lena the Redcoat

On a train heading into Somerset, many people are excited to arrive at a brand new Butlin's in Minehead. Madeleine was one of these people as she arrived at the reception desk to be given details of her department. When the new staff were given their details, Madeleine was told that her name was too big for the badge. To solve this problem, it was decided that it would be easier to call her Lena.

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

Babs Untold Butlins Story

Madeleine becomes Babs the Redcoat

After the second week at Butlin's Minehead, there was a need for a Redcoat to help out at Radio Butlin in Clacton. As the other Redcoats had to concentrate on another area, Madeleine was chosen to move to the second oldest camp at Butlin's.

On leaving Minehead, Madeleine had to give back her brand new Redcoat uniform and stop using her Redcoat name of Lena. It was a new chapter in Madeleine Butlin's story as she arrived in Clacton to begin her duties as a Redcoat. When she was issued with her uniform, she noticed that it was the older design. When she was given all the information about her department and role, she was now to be known as Redcoat Babs.

Babs shared this photo with me and told me the following;

"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 Untold Butlin Story

Babs Untold Butlin Story

Babs Untold Butlin Story

Babs Untold Butlin Story

Babs is in a bar in Clacton with some campers.

Babs Untold Butlin Story

Babs Untold Butlin Story

Enjoying a meal in the dining hall in 1963.

Babs Untold Butlin Story

Babs Untold Butlin Story

 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

Babs Untold Butlin Story

Babs Untold Butlin Story

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

Babs Untold Butlin Story

Remembering the curtains of Butlins

This photo show of Bab's collection is a very important one because it shows you the curtains that many campers remember. Today Butlin's are celebrating this curtain by bringing it back to the chalets. Below you can see Butlin's today (right) and how they honour this curtain that was in all the camps when Billy Butlin was in charge (left).

Babs untold story of Butlins

First picture Clacton with a regular Camper.

Babs untold story of Butlins

Clacton 1962

Babs untold story of Butlins

Christmas morning Clacton, 1963

Babs untold story of Butlins

Clacton 1963

Babs untold story of Butlins

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

Babs untold story of Butlins

Clacton Sports Field 1965.

Babs untold story of Butlins

Clacton Viennese Ballroom in the background 1963

Babs untold story of Butlins

The Redcoats having fun on the sports field.

Babs untold story of Butlins

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

Babs untold story of Butlins

Babs untold story of Butlins

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

Babs untold story of Butlins

Ocean Hotel Brighton with a regular guest.

Babs untold story of Butlins

Babs untold story of Butlins

Sun Lounge Ocean Hotel Brighton.

Babs untold story of Butlins

Pantomime, Cinderella, 1965 Ocean Hotel Brighton.

Babs untold story of Butlins

Babs untold story of Butlins

Babs untold story of Butlins

Babs untold story of Butlins

Babs untold story of Butlins

Babs untold story of Butlins

Pantomime, Cinderella, 1965 Ocean Hotel Brighton.

Untold Babs Story
Untold story of Babs
Untold Butlins Story of Babs

Permission has been given to Mark and Butlins Memorabilia website by Madeleine to show her wonderful Butlin's story. All stories and photos shown on this site do not belong to me and belong to those who have shared them. Please do not ask for their details as I will not share them with you as I do not hold their details and it's not my place to give them away if I did.


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Who and What is Butlin's Memorabilia Website

Mark Banks is the individual responsible for the creation and ownership of this website, which displays his collection of Butlin's memorabilia. It was created in my spare time after work as a hobby and has since grown into a site that gives others a chance to smile. It is important to note that this website is not associated with Butlin's and is not an official archive of the company. Furthermore, it includes stories, with the consent of the individuals involved, that recount memorable moments at Butlin's from both customers and former staff members. This website pays homage to the esteemed company and its founder, Sir William Butlin. Additionally, it provides information on the history of Butlin's, based on personal research.

Butlins Memorabilia extra areas

This website is a fan site dedicated to celebrating the Butlins brand. It is created and maintained by Mark Banks. Further information about the website and answers to any questions can be found below. In case of any additional inquiries, please feel free to contact Mark.

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The Untold Stories of Butlin's

The website now includes a section called 'Untold Stories of Butlin's', featuring personal anecdotes shared by members of my group. The website now includes a section called 'Untold Stories of Butlin's', featuring personal experiences shared by members of my group. Members of the group have graciously shared their personal experiences at Butlin's and added these stories to the website. These stories are not affiliated with the official company but rather represent the memories of the individuals who shared them.
 
If you are not official, who is Mark?

Please note that Butlin's Memorabilia is an independent website and is not affiliated with the official Butlins website or archive. The owners of Butlin's and Butlins.com have not been involved in the development of this site, nor have they approached me to design it. However, I am grateful for their willingness to allow me to continue to share the rich history of their company with you.

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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