Ocean Hotel - Saltdean

[rocky mason]

Originally Posted by Bunnykins

Most interesting posts, Rocky and Pushbutton.

I bet in the old days it was also a very good advert for Butlins staff to accompany the passengers on public transport, as well as being enjoyable and exciting for the guests themselves. I was about to think that this was sadly a thing of the past when I read Pushbutton's post. I had no idea they still (albeit I'm sure to a lesser extent) greet holidaymakers on the bus.

As entertainment manager, of Skegness, in the late sixties, I went to the railway station to see the arrival of guests coming by train. They were being transfered onto buses to take them to the camp. They were being very aptly assisted by Redcoats, and I saw the interest in this from other arrivals destined for boarding houses. From then on we had a Redcoat accordianist playing music at the station, and it really did creat a great Butlin impression.

[rocky mason]

Originally Posted by Bunnykins

Most interesting posts, Rocky and Pushbutton.

I bet in the old days it was also a very good advert for Butlins staff to accompany the passengers on public transport, as well as being enjoyable and exciting for the guests themselves. I was about to think that this was sadly a thing of the past when I read Pushbutton's post. I had no idea they still (albeit I'm sure to a lesser extent) greet holidaymakers on the bus.

As entertainment manager, of Skegness, in the late sixties, I went to the railway station to see the arrival of guests coming by train. They were being transfered onto buses to take them to the camp. They were being very aptly assisted by Redcoats, and I saw the interest in this from other arrivals destined for boarding houses. From then on we had a Redcoat accordianist playing music at the station, and it really did creat a great Butlin impression. I am delighted to hear that similar is still being done!!

[rocky mason]

Originally Posted by Pushbutton

That's excellent Bunnykins - I look forward to dreaming about seeing the photos!

It's so strange I fell alseep last night dreaming about Pushbutton dreaming about those photo's!

[Pushbutton]

Lol!

[Bunnykins]

That's soooo funny Rocky. What a coincidence!

[rocky mason]

Originally Posted by Bunnykins

Sounds very bleak, Grant. Nice to see someone posting in this thread.

So was the hotel in a bad state of repair when you worked there (sounds like it might have been)?

I am not the kind of person who complains about things too much, so when I say this was the worst hotel I have ever stayed in, I really mean it. Such a shame as I know there are Reds and guests who loved the place and I'm sure it was great in its heyday.

Since posting my report above, I found the letter of complaint I wrote to the hotel manager after that stay which reminded me that we booked the break online as a "bed & breakfast" package, yet when we arrived at the hotel the receptionist told us they do not offer bed & breakfast (it was half board only), yet the website had clearly stated this. Very bad organisation. Anyway, we got our bed & breakfast package in the end!!

Would be great to hear your memories of this hotel, Grant.

Hi Grant, as far as your draughty windows are concerned, I remember the original's were metal, all through the hotel. When I went back for a re-union, about three years ago all the guest room windows had been replaced with double glazing and PVC, and it must have cost thousands!! I first went as a Redcoat entertainer in the winter of 1959, it had been a fire station during the war and it was never renovated properly we only ever did cosmetic jobs to make it just about acceptable. Although we did install new central heating throughout in the early 6o's. I did a few winters there in the early sixties before becoming E.M. I bought HighLodge, a Butlin house in Oaklands avenue, and spent a few happy years there, during the winter as I had to move to camps in the season. The cream of the Redcoat entertainers were retained at the Ocean each winter, I am talking Dave Allen, Jimmy Tarbuck, Ted Rogers, Lester and Smart. so the Redcoat Show, Cabaret and OT Music Hall, sings songs, in fact all the entertainment was super. In those days we didn't have silly little managers, too big for their boots, as we didn't need them. The first thing I did was tell all the Red's to call me by my first name and nobody ever let the side down, they were too professional. Lots of Redcoat entertainers really did improve after a winter of watching their peers perform, it was a great launching pad for talent. I recall one SUPER evening of entertainment each week, I would send half a dozen of my Redcoat performers over to Margate, say on Tuesday, and put a film on for the guests. Margate would do the same on Thursday, and so we would put on Redcoat cabaret, with about 12/14 acts, and the Freddy Gordon band. It was absolutely non-stop entertainment from 7.30 until after midnight, the guests became hoarse by the end of the night from cheering, and the Redcoats adored it. Unbelievable, memorable times Grant, and I wish sincerely that every single Butlin Redcoat could have experienced a Christmas there!! I was lucky to do quite a few, my wife, also an entertainer, and I did nineteen Christmases, on the trot, but the best by far was the Ocean!! Regards mate, Rocky.

[rocky mason]

Originally Posted by Bunnykins

Further to my review above, I have just stumbled across a few photos someone took inside the hotel after it closed. The murals on the wall seemed reminiscent of those that I mentioned I saw in the room we ate our breakfast in.

If anyone is interested, try this link: http://www.28dayslater.co.uk/forums/...ad.php?t=32424

Edit: The above link doesn't seem to take you to the photos anymore!!

Hi Bunnykins, when I was the Ents mgr, at the Ocean, there were a lot of murals, which had been painted by Helen McKay, RA. They got a bit tatty and the General Manager asked me if one of the Redcoats, who was an artist, could touch them up. The Redcoat artist was Reg Seiger, a young Belgian lad, who's grasp of the English language wasn't too good. Reg agreed to touch them up and did a fantastic job. He asked if he could add to Helen McKays signature "And Reg Seiger". I explained that as she was the original artist that wouldn't be fair, but I agreed that he could write underneath her signature...'Touched up by Reg Seiger.' He did and for a few seasons, the Red's and guests had a quiet smile at poor old Reg. Written on the murals it said "Helen McKay, touched up by Reg Seiger." Pity some miserable devil told him!

[Bunnykins]

Originally Posted by rocky mason

Hi Bunnykins, when I was the Ents mgr, at the Ocean, there were a lot of murals, which had been painted by Helen McKay, RA. They got a bit tatty and the General Manager asked me if one of the Redcoats, who was an artist, could touch them up. The Redcoat artist was Reg Seiger, a young Belgian lad, who's grasp of the English language wasn't too good. Reg agreed to touch them up and did a fantastic job. He asked if he could add to Helen McKays signature "And Reg Seiger". I explained that as she was the original artist that wouldn't be fair, but I agreed that he could write underneath her signature...'Touched up by Reg Seiger.' He did and for a few seasons, the Red's and guests had a quiet smile at poor old Reg. Written on the murals it said "Helen McKay, touched up by Reg Seiger." Pity some miserable devil told him!

Brilliant and funny story Rocky - I enjoyed reading that!

I seem to recall from memory there was a mural of Marilyn Monroe but can't really remember what the others were. Do you recall out of interest?

[rocky mason]

Originally Posted by Bunnykins

Brilliant and funny story Rocky - I enjoyed reading that!

I seem to recall from memory there was a mural of Marilyn Monroe but can't really remember what the others were. Do you recall out of interest?

Hi Bunnykins, I thought I had a vague recollection about a mural of Marilyn Monroe, but just to be on the safe side I have, a few minutes ago, phoned a dear old friend Lynda Noon. Lynda, with her husband Jim, was the longest serving Redcoat at the Ocean, Jim was a Redcoat, organist, and Lynda was at first a Redcoat dancer,then Chief Hostess,then Entertainment Manager. Lynda and Jim, winters and summers, were there an unbelievable thirty years!!!! The murals That I had thought of were Grecian ladies and they were on pillars in the dining room. Talking to Lynda brought to mind a bit of the Ocean's history that might interest you. During the war it was a fire station, and when Sir Billy starting making overtures, the locals made it clear they didn't want a Butlin hotel! Then rumours started circulating that it was going to be a woman's open prison!!!!! Suddenly, the locals didn't mind a Butlin hotel!! I will say no more. Regards, Rocky.

[Bunnykins]

Originally Posted by rocky mason

Hi Bunnykins, I thought I had a vague recollection about a mural of Marilyn Monroe, but just to be on the safe side I have, a few minutes ago, phoned a dear old friend Lynda Noon. Lynda, with her husband Jim, was the longest serving Redcoat at the Ocean, Jim was a Redcoat, organist, and Lynda was at first a Redcoat dancer,then Chief Hostess,then Entertainment Manager. Lynda and Jim, winters and summers, were there an unbelievable thirty years!!!! The murals That I had thought of were Grecian ladies and they were on pillars in the dining room. Talking to Lynda brought to mind a bit of the Ocean's history that might interest you. During the war it was a fire station, and when Sir Billy starting making overtures, the locals made it clear they didn't want a Butlin hotel! Then rumours started circulating that it was going to be a woman's open prison!!!!! Suddenly, the locals didn't mind a Butlin hotel!! I will say no more. Regards, Rocky.

Fascinating, Rocky. Thanks for going to the trouble of asking your friends about it. I don't think I'd realised that Butlins hadn't always owned the hotel. I think I'd just assumed they built it! Yes I can imagine how Butlins seemed a much more attractive proposition to the locals than a prison!!