Why Doesn't Odysseus Recognize Ithaca, Used Park Cabins For Sale Qld, Quickest Route To Mobile Alabama, Articles W

Billy was a runner for the Canadian Army in the First World War, and then returned to the UK. Taken by Clare's family, these amazing photos were donated to me when I purchased some of Butlin's memorabilia items. He moved to London and set up a successful stall in Olympia outside the Christmas Circus run by Bertram Mills. Billy Butlin became a byword for wholesome family fun when he revitalised the leisure scene with his first holiday camp 70 years ago. Born in 1899 into a fairground family, Billy Butlin opened his first amusement park in Skegness in 1927 and introduced the Dodgem Car to Britain in 1928. . He died in 1980 and 'his holiday empire was gradually dismantled'. Billy Butlin with Donald Campbell, Campbell is adjusting his flying suit. Before his deployment to Europe, Butlin transferred to the 216th (Bantams) Battalion, with which he was sent to England. 'REFUSING TO GO QUIETLY': Prince Andrew demands mansion 'fit for a king' on REGAL estate from Charles - and 'top role' in royal family despite being KICKED OUT, Tom Sizemore dies after Saving Private Ryan actor suffered a brain aneurysm, Family left heartbroken with wife in tears after being kicked out of a pantomime show, Jeremy Kyle Show guest who famously had skull inked on face tragically dies, Roberto Firmino leaving Liverpool and lucrative bonus he sacrificed sums him up, New Partygate WhatsApp messages show No10 aides feared stories on Downing St 'p**s ups' getting out - meaning THEY KNEW they were breaking Covid laws, PartyGate rulebreaking would've been obvious to Boris Johnson - because he was THERE, Dolly Parton's hit songwriter David Lindley dies, Ferry catches fire in English Channel with 183 people on board as lifeboats scramble, Denise Welch tears up as she announces she's become a grandma for the first time, Mum shouts at kids for being loud at night - but CCTV showed the sinister truth, Ruth Madoc glittering career as she makes final on-screen appearance after death aged 79, Subscribe to Daily Mirror and Sunday Mirror newspapers. Crown Advocate Julian Gollop told Court that Miss Butlin knew all of the victims. [n 32], Butlin is listed as a member of the eclectic (and fictional) "orchestra" in the Bonzo Dog Doo-Dah Band's recording, "The Intro and the Outro", where he is credited with playing the spoons. Time to move on. To celebrate its opening, Butlin ran a mystery flight, where guests, who had paid $129 (2011:746.73) each, were taken on a flight to the resort without being informed in advance. Once in England, he was stationed at Sandgate near Folkestone before being deployed to France. [n 7] He was subsequently posted to the 170th (Mississauga Horse) Battalion on 29 December 1915. His parents had emigrated to South Africa some years earlier. The site opened to the public on 26 May 1962 having cost 2million to construct. The chalets were popular with newly-weds and courting couples, who could at last get away from living on top of their parents. The postwar period was perhaps Butlin's heyday. The weekend itself was absolutely fabulous, we didn't witness any trouble and everybody was very friendly and in high spirits. Today. Points of Interest & Landmarks Religious Sites, St John's New Cemetery, St. John: Address, St John's New Cemetery Review: 4/5. [n 13][n 14], Butlin had nurtured the idea of a holiday camp. His nephew Vernon Jenkins remembered: "Billy was a man who associated with potentially violent people in his early days. 3,141 views 4 faves 1 comment Taken on August 28, 2011 All rights reserved Canon EOS 550D EF-S18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS /9.0 18.0 mm 1/80 100 The grave of Billy Butlin (Holiday Camps) This is in Jersey in the Parish of St John. Although holiday camps such as Warner's existed in one form or another before Butlin opened his first in 1936, it was Butlin who turned holiday camps into a multimillion-pound industry and an important aspect . The holiday trade resumed in 1947, but the North Welsh were sceptical about Pwllheli. "They had to supply a piece of the woman's under-wear as proof of the conquest.". In Canada, Butlin struggled to fit in at school and soon left for a job in a Toronto department store Eaton's. Something went wrong, please try again later. The heiress to the Butlin's fortune has been banned from pubs and bars on the island of Jersey after attacking her friends in an 'alcohol-fuelled' rage. His headstone is . This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in United Kingdom. 1964. His parents to William and Bertha Butlin separated. By 1948, 200,000 families were failing to get a booking, so six further camps were opened, and there were nine by 1960, including those at Bognor, Barry Island, Ayr and Minehead, which was built on 165 acres of marsh. He was taken to A&E and received nine stitches to his eyebrow, which have left permanent scars, according to the. Fred Pontin The biggest expansion came after 1994, when the business was purchased from the Butlin family by Pontins. [w 15] Butlin took the decision to form the company as a means to raise finance for his new camps. It's been described to me by some who worked there as a giant bonking shop.". Butlin's Bognor Regis Resort: Billy Butlin would turn in his grave. Sprawling home where JonBenet Ramsey was found murdered in 1996 is listed for sale for $7 MILLION by current Royal Mail increase price of first class stamp by 15p to 1.10 in record-breaking hike. [j 11] By November 1950, the subsidiary company handling the Caribbean resort was ordered to be wound up by a court. In 1975, with divorce laws having changed, Butlin was able to divorce Norah and marry Sheila with whom he remained until his death. In 1936 he opened the first Butlin Holiday Camp, outside Skegness, but it was not until after the Second World War that his business boomed; by the 1960s his camps were catering for up to a million people a year. However, the article states . Billy Butlin: British, South Africa-born entrepreneur (1899 - 1980), Military personnel, Businessperson, Entrepreneur, From: South Africa, United Kingdom Son of William Colborne Butlin and Bertha Cassandra Butlin Each page is designed by Mark Banks and is here as a non-profit website. The camps were requisitioned during the war to become Pioneer Corps training depots. By the end of the season, Butlin had been so successful that he could afford to bring his widowed mother to the UK from Canada. [n 24], In 1944, Butlin was awarded the MBE for his wartime service to the Ministry of Supply. 8. Please enable JavaScript in your browser's settings to use this part of Geni. It was officially opened by Amy Johnson, the first woman to fly solo from England to Australia. 92% of travellers recommend this experience. Review tags are currently only available for English language reviews. [j 17] Jacquie lives on Jersey, where she runs a clothes shop. More about Butlin's Memorabilia WebsiteThis website is a fan website that is showing Mark Banks Collection of Butlin's Memorabilia and stories of friends and family. A telegram was always sent instead. When the marriage failed, his mother returned to England with Billy and rejoined her family in Bristol. He is buried in the cemetery of St John's Church, Jersey. hurlham, Kimhaz - Here and There and 2 more people faved this Ray 11y Very interesting, great shot! Plastic surgeon reveals five cosmetic procedures she would NEVER get - from dangerous Brazilian butt lifts BEL MOONEY:Why does caring for my dad take over my life? Feb 28, 2015 - Billy Butlin's grave at St John, Jersey, Channel Islands. Two-year-old boy's death after choking on sausage was Rise of the WORKATION: Britons are block-booking month-long Isabel Oakeshott receives 'menacing' message from Matt Hancock, Insane moment river of rocks falls onto Malibu Canyon in CA, Pavement where disabled woman gestured at cyclist before fatal crash, Mom who lost both sons to fentanyl blasts laughing Biden, Pro-Ukrainian drone lands on Russian spy planes exposing location, 'Buster is next!' From that point on, entertainment was the heart of Butlins, and Bradford became the first of Butlin's Redcoats. All memories of Butlins are welcomed in this group, even if another member has already uploaded their item. His business was given a huge boost by the Second World War. Failing that I have no other criticisms, it wasn't as noisy as I thought it would be and would highly recommend it as a a good place to go to blow away the cobwebs! Tony says: "The Ministry of Defence used his holiday camps to train soldiers during the war, and they paid him to build several more. When the system detects a problem, a review may be automatically rejected, sent to the reviewer for validation, or manually reviewed by our team of content specialists, who work 24/7 to maintain the quality of the reviews on our site. 100% of travellers recommend this experience. Butlin took out a 99-year lease on the headland at Nell's Point, Barry Island, in 1966. [w 2], He opened his first Butlin's camp at Ingoldmells, near Skegness, on 11 April 1936 (Easter eve). I am happy to share these photos of the last resting place of Sir William (Billy) Butlin grave. It was written on. I am extremely thankful that they allow me to continue to show you the rich history of their company. We also may change the frequency you receive our emails from us in order to keep you up to date and give you the best relevant information possible. The camp was intended to be complete and open on New Years Day of 1950. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. Born in Cape Town, South Africa, to William and Bertha Butlin, Butlin had a turbulent childhood. His parents were British but their marriage had not been considered socially acceptable, so they emigrated. Ad 4. more. There are two option. He very soon bought out his consortium partners and in the autumn of that year he presented Clacton council with the plans . He asked Norman Bradford (who was engaged as an engineer constructing the camp) to take on the duty of entertaining the guests, which he did with a series of ice breakers and jokes. He made his first fortune by paying. The body of observer Sgt. Watch. He first joined Butlins as a Redcoat during his school holidays in 1951. Odling for assistance. As Butlin was dealing with other sites, he asked his business competitor, Harry Warner, to complete the construction of Filey. In its heyday, Butlin's operated from at least eight UK sites, including Barry Island, Clacton-on-Sea and Pwllheli, entertaining one million holidaymakers every year with knobbly knees. Knowing that the army already had a full quota of despatch riders, Butlin intended to volunteer for service in that category in the knowledge that although his application would be declined he would still receive an I volunteered badge for his actions without actually having to serve. . Julie Andrews, when aged 13, 'brought the house down' at Clacton, and in 1979, Catherine Zeta-Jones 'was a finalist in the Junior Star Trail'. Butlin was surprised by Eamonn Andrews for This Is Your Life on his wedding day in 1959. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. Just returned from Bognor, stayed in Gold Self catering, found them to be very clean, beds really comfortable and the room had everything we needed.Entertainment was pretty good, weather was fantastic which makes the holiday even better.Only downside is the expense of everything. Whatever the truth about Sir Billy's lifestyle, his cheap-and-cheerful legacy lives on. Quickly taken from a bus. An advertisement costing 500 (2011:28,000) was placed in the Daily Express, announced the opening of the camp, inviting the public to book for a week's holiday. 29 September 1899 - 12 June 1980. A good debate and a great chat :) 7. The appointment was a voluntary one with no salary or expenses and was made after the consideration of other suitable candidates. In 1927 he leased a piece of land from the Earl of Scarbrough in the seaside town of Skegness. He is known for his work on The Furry Folk on Holiday (1967), British Path News (1910) and Points of View (1955). The first dodgems in Britain were available in his park at Skegness. [j 7], In most ways Mosney was identical to the existing successful camps, but in Ireland this was something that was seen to be feared, rather than embraced. We use your sign-up to provide content in the ways you've consented to and improve our understanding of you. Once opened, the camp quickly became popular, accommodating around 5,000 campers and another 5,000 day visitors. 1899. Top marks Butlins will be coming back! The plan was that there'd be a Butlin's camp within a hundred miles of 'every major urban centre'. Kayla Bulstrode and left her with a nose bleed, after she tried to stop her from going near the couple. Both the council and the local association of hotels opposed the idea, as did boarding house keepers. They thought 'people who go to holiday camps will drop orange peel and play the ukulele all over quiet mountains'. I have some information on the Pwllheli (Broom Hall) and Skegness (Ingoldmells) operations but would . Blackstone declined to comment. Their marriage was considered something of a social disgrace in Leonard Stanley, Gloucester, where they lived. But today more than a million holidaymakers a year flock to Butlins resorts in Skegness, Lincolnshire, Minehead in Somerset and Bognor Regis, West Sussex. Deceased (1899-1980) Similarly, why did Billy Butlin set up holiday camps? At the age of 14 he emigrated to Canada with his mother, and later during the First World War he enlisted as a bugler in the Canadian Army. By the end of the night the camp was buzzing and the Butlin's atmosphere was born. [w 29] Robert took over from his father, running the company from 1968 to 1984, and died of lung cancer on 31 December 2008. He was knighted in 1964. They were gangsters, the lot of them.". In 1965, however, bookings fell. [n 11] In 1927 he leased land from the Earl of Scarbrough in the seaside town of Skegness. In the post-war boom, Butlin opened four more camps at Mosney, Bognor Regis, Minehead and Barry Island as well as buying hotels in Blackpool, Saltdean, and Cliftonville. [1] Butlins Elephants. Lady Butlin strongly denies the stories about her late husband, who died in 1980. These included Skegness and Pwllheli and possibly Clacton and Bognor. [w 2] Later, he transferred to Eaton's advertising department where he drew black and white adverts, whilst studying at night school. and we are in the process of determining WHICH of the two she is buried in. He remained a resident of Jersey until his death on 12 June 1980, aged 80. JEP Photographic Job Number: 1977/4653. [j 1] In later interviews, Butlin claimed that he accidentally sawed the corners off his hoopla blocks,[w 2] but some observers such as The Sunday Herald report that he did it intentionally, displaying "logic and business sense". All four of the privately educated friends live on Jersey and the three girls are understood to be friends through their love of horse riding. If the system detects something that potentially contradicts our. Sir Billy's original motto was Shakespearean: 'Our true intent is all for your delight.'. Founded in 1936 by Billy Butlin, the first all-inclusive seaside holiday camp opened its first site in Skegness, Lincolnshire. He spent the next five years following his grandmother's family fair around the country where his mother sold gingerbread; exposing the young Butlin to the skills of commerce and entertainment. Went to Butlins with my daughter and grandaughter aged 7 months, this was our first visit and we were abit dubious but from the moment we drove through the gates everything was very well organised, we had parking within 100 yds of our apartment, the facilities for babies was excellent, our apartment (gold) had everything you would need and was spotless. [n 9], After the war, Butlin returned to England aboard a cattle ship, arriving in England with only 5 (2011:189.00) capital. Former Redcoat Peter Everett said: "At prize-giving each Friday a ram's head would be awarded to the Redcoat of The Week. The Redcoats' red coats were re-designed by Zandra Rhodes and Jeff Banks. In 1928, Butlin secured an exclusive licence to sell dodgem cars in Europe. There is no mistaking the grave of this successful showman as can be seen from the picture that can be located in the Headstone Collection on TheGenealogist. When Thomas attempted to interject again, Butlin smashed a glass in his face. Circa September 1975. . Search the Butlin's Memorabilia Website for other Butlin's Memories, Helping you collect Butlin's Memorabilia items and to your collection. Billy Butlin was born on September 29, 1899 in Cape Town, South Africa as . Please show us your item as it will add to the Butlins magic. William Heygate Edmund Colborne Butlin was born on 29 September 1899 in the Cape Colony (part of the modern-day Republic of South Africa). Burial. Butlin did not celebrate for long; he required a further $2.25million (2011:14.5million) to complete the camp, and American tourists unaccustomed to the holiday camp concept had little interest. RAF Sergeants Butlin took off on an operation to Frankfurt at 23.15 hrs from RAF Burn in Yorkshire and ditched roughly 3 miles southwest of the Channel Island of Jersey after a call was made by Sgt. it also hold the resting place of Billy Butlin with a marble gravestone in the shape of a double bed which is rather eye catching. Billy Butlin : biography. We had 1 dishwasher tablet when we arrived so had to ask for more, and we also only got given 1 teabag! Using the knowledge and experience he had gained in setting up his holiday camps, Butlin was able to devise activities and systems to boost morale, which led to his appointment as Director General of Hostels. [w 27], Butlin remained close to his mother, both in following her to Canada and in arranging for her to come home after the death of his stepfather. He is buried in the parish of St John and his grave is shaped to represent a double bed. [j 14] His house there was Dane Court in Hampstead, which he purchased in 1947. [w 3], Before his deployment to Europe, Butlin transferred to the 216th (Bantams) Battalion, and he was sent to England. Butlin's grave is in the grounds of Blair Adam house, Jersey. [w 7], In the 1930s Butlin had amusement parks in Mablethorpe (opened 1928), Hayling Island (1931), Felixstowe (1931), Southsea (1931) and on the Isle of Man. The regeneration plans include providing a. [w 1] His father, William Colborne Butlin, was the son of a clergyman; his mother, Bertha Cassandra Hill, was a member of a family of travelling showmen. [w 30] Cherie is an actress. Plans to open a third in Filey were cut short by the outbreak of World War II. In July 1948 the camp was opened by William Norton, the Minister for Social Welfare, and it operated successfully as a Butlin's camp until the early 1980s. where is billy butlin buriedgirondins bordeaux players. [n 31] Also in 1947 he sat on the board of directors of Belle Vue Stadium. The pioneer was also among the first to realise, even in the 1930s, that sex sells. In 1914, Billy Butlin was living in Toronto with his mother and stepfather, when he left school and began working for Eatons department store. Sir William Heygate Edmund Colborne Butlin MBE (29 September 1899 - 12 June 1980) was a South African-born British entrepreneur whose name is synonymous with the British holiday camp. [j 1] Their marriage was considered not socially acceptable in Leonard Stanley, Gloucestershire, where they lived, and they emigrated to South Africa. After the war, Butlin returned to England, bringing only 5 with him. He is known for his work on The Furry Folk on Holiday (1967), British Path News (1910) and Points of View (1955). Little reference is made to her after this time, and her name is not listed on her father's grave with her still-living siblings. [n 29][w 21] He finally decided to build the last and smallest of the camps there in 1965. Billy Butlin's holiday empire was sold to an American company in 1972 for 40million. [w 6][n 12], Butlin opened a similar fairground in 1932, in Bognor Regis, on the corner of the Esplanade, named the Recreation Shelter. Butlin admitted defeat and focused his efforts back in Europe. This is not the official website for ButlinsThe owners of Butlin's, Butlin's company, and Butlins.com have not approached me to design this site. William Jr died of cancer in 2003. The comments below have not been moderated. [n 33], Butlin's retirement was forced by circumstance. He purchased a hoopla stall from Hill, and ran it successfully. Billy Butlin was born on the 29th September 1899 in Cape Town, South Africa. Soon he had his own travelling fair visiting country fairs such as Barnstaple. Meanwhile single women were targeted as prime customers - for the entrepreneur knew a reputation for bed-hopping among the chalets would pull in the punters. While applying, however, Butlin forgot to tell the recruiter of this intention, and was consequently allocated to the Canadian Expeditionary Force which was taking part in the fighting along the Western Front. When the shares became available, they sold out entirely in five minutes. A History of the Butlin's Railways: The Story of Billy Butlin's Amusement Park and Holiday Camp Miniature Railways, Including Other Associated Railways and Transport Systems Issue 2 of Minor Railway Histories Series: Author: Peter Scott: Edition: illustrated: Publisher: Peter Scott, 2001: ISBN: 1902368096, 9781902368092: Prosecutor Julian Gollop said the attack was unprovoked and Butlin, a high-end estate agent, admitted grave and criminal assault and three counts of common assault. Tony says: "He was very unhappy at school in Canada and was always being mocked because of his English accent, so he left school at 14. Here the photos and videos that he has shared with me and the website. [citation needed], Butlin's mother and stepfather then asked him to join them in Toronto. Little reference is made to her after this time, and her name is not listed on her father's grave with her still-living siblings. [j 12] In the late 1940s Butlin successfully opened hotels outside the Skegness and Ayr camps, so he now saw his opportunity to expand into this market. He opened camps at Mosney, in the soon to be Republic of Ireland, in 1948 and on Grand Bahama, in 1949. When he was twelve his mother emigrated to Canada, leaving him in the care of his aunt for two years. Staff helpful. She died in 1934 and never saw his first holiday camp. Sacha's grandfather Billy Butlin sold his holiday empire to an American company in 1972 for 40million. Ringo Starr did two seasons at Pwllheli, where he was visited by Lennon and McCartney. Most kept to themselves, and others looked bored. more, Jersey Heritage Pass: 4 for 3 Attractions, Escorted Coastal Tour by Jet Skis from St. Aubin, Jersey Tour App Hidden Gems Game and Big Britain Quiz UK, Jet Ski in Jersey with Tuition and On-water Supervision, Before posting, each Tripadvisor review goes through an automated tracking system, which collects information, answering the following questions: how, what, where and when. Butlin - the granddaughter of holiday camp founder Billy Butlin - then went on to punch Only Fans model Kayla Bulstrode, 23, in the face so hard she was left with a nosebleed. Seeing potential for a camp in warmer climes, he formed a company under the chairmanship of Sir Bede Edmund Hugh Clifford and bought land in Grand Bahama. A contemporary brochure announced that, 'You can just quietly sit on your own veranda smoking your evening pipe'. Images of a Gala Dinner and Ball event that appears to be being held at Portelet Holiday Camp, owned by Sir Billy Butlin. eBay and Google advertsThe logos are copyright to the respected companies shown, please click on these words or on the subtitle to see more about the adverts and how they help the site to continue to run. 'Thank you to everyone who has supported us over the last 13 months, it's nice to know the vast majority are on our side. [j 18] Jacquie's daughter, Laura Emily, was the subject of a court case in the Cayman Islands in 1992, to establish whether she could be a beneficiary of her grandfather's estate. I was buried in this cemetery three days after the murder, alongside the Joseph family plot. It was from his mother's side of the family . The header of the grave Clare's Sir Billy (William) Butlin Photos I am happy to share these photos of the last resting place of Sir William (Billy) Butlin grave. His parents separated before he was seven, and he returned to England with his mother. Sir Billy Butlin with some of the 2000 budgerigars which are part of a collection of nearly 3000 birds at his Berkshire home, UK, 19th November 1967. With public support the fund grew firstly to 250,000 and eventually to over 1million. We stayed at Butlins Ocean Hotel on 01/07/2011 for 3 nights, was a bit weary about staying due to the noirovirus outbreak a few weeks earlier, but on arrival It was spotless, check in was a absolute breeze we were in the room within 5 minutes of arriving. [n 6], In 1915, during World War I, Butlin volunteered for service in the Canadian Army. Over the next 10 years Butlin expanded his fairground empire, all the time harbouring an idea to increase the number of patrons in his Skegness site by providing accommodation. At the time there was only room for 1,000 guests. Writers and speakers discussing that programme, such as Anthony Grenville and Ela Kaczmarska, claim that the camp had been constructed by Butlin and operated as a Butlin's camp for the 19371938 season, Kaczmarska also suggests that it had closed in the summer of 1938, the same time the Clacton camp opened. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. The gardens where Billy Butlin opened his first Butlin's holiday camp in 1936 have been protected this year. Behind its jolly Hi-de-Hi! Cannot find anything to complain about if I am being honest. We only had 4 of everything ie 4 knives, 4 forks, 4 spoons, 4 plates, 4 mugs etc which meant that you had to wash up everytime or load the dishwasher. Butlin agreed, on the condition that he could purchase the sites when the war was over, to use as holiday camps. The tried-and-tested formula pioneered by Billy Butlin was used in Mosney. "He was always afraid of retribution, so he carried his cut-throat razor in his top pocket all the time. 1980: Sir Billy dies on June 12. Date: August 2nd 1977. He settled in England in 1921, working as a travelling showman in fairgrounds. He was subsequently posted to the 170th (Mississauga Horse) Battalion on 29 December 1915. Jean Campbell, Donald's sister and Mrs Butlin are with them. [n 17], On 30 January 1937, Butlin turned his business into a limited company "Butlin's Ltd.". [j 5] When the camp opened, Butlin realised that his guests were not engaging with activities in the way he had planned. [w 19], In the winter of 1961, Butlin began work on his camp in Minehead. His attestation papers give his date of birth as 1898 (rather than the actual 1899*), allowing him to enlist although only 15 at the time; the papers give his occupation at that time as a suitcase maker. Sir Billy retired to Jersey. Butlin's sites are at Skegness, Minehead in Somerset and Bognor Regis, the traditional seaside town close to the South Downs National Park. [j 10] Altogether 250,000 men trained at Butlin's, and the armed forces saved a mint not having to construct their own barracks. found: Wikipedia, viewed 21 April 2021(Billy Butlin; Sir William Heygate Edmund Colborne Butlin MBE; 29 September 1899-12 June 1980; South African-born British entrepreneur; opened his first British holiday camp in 1936; born in Cape Town, South Africa; he returned to England with his mother before he was seven years old; when he was twelve his "But in reality it was for being sh****r of the week. The ministry agreed, and Filey (1945), Pwllheli and Ayr (both in 1947), opened after the war. [citation needed]. Shortly after the end of WW2 Butlins started offering pleasure flights from some of their camps which had airfields nearby. He died on June 12, 1980 in Jersey, Channel Islands, UK. Billy was personally invited to around 200 weddings a year. Sir William Heygate Edmund Colborne Butlin MBE (29 September 1899 12 June 1980) was a South African-born British entrepreneur whose name is synonymous with the British holiday camp. Butlin used the war to his advantage, persuading the MoD to complete the Filey Holiday Camp and construct two more camps in Ayr and Pwllheli as training camps which he reclaimed when the war was over. Starting in Brussels, the "21 Club" concept quickly spread through western Europe, providing entertainment and relaxation for servicemen and women. Butlin's is now the antidote to airport security checks and frustrations. The first indication that Billy Butlin was interested in building a holiday camp in Clacton came when it was discovered that he was a member of a business consortium which bought the West Clacton Estate in 1936. Little did the chalet guests know that Butlin was forced to carry a cut-throat razor because he'd made so many enemies on his way to the top. Soon after, Butlin met and fell in love with Norah Faith Cheriton, Dolly's niece.