Oh We Do Like to be Beside the Seaside - Even in November
- Fiona
- 2 hours ago
- 3 min read
The evening opened with lively chatter, contributions for the Horsham Matters food bank collection and a warm welcome to three ladies who were trying out the Bombshells for the first time.
Our President then introduced Sheila Willis who was our charming speaker for the night. Sheila’s subject was one which resonated with all of us and the cold of a November evening was dispelled for a while during her talk – A Nostalgic Trip Down to the Sea and Sand that featured piers, saucy postcards, deckchairs, donkeys and landladies. What could have been be nicer?
Beginning with a fact that was new to most of us, Sheila told us that Scarborough was the first real English resort, due in no small part to the very fashionable Dr Whittie who, during the 1660s promoted the health benefits derived from drinking the spring water that trickled from the cliffs. He did not hold back in claiming that this water was good for stomachs, lungs and blood, as well as curing asthma, scurvy and jaundice. The benefits of sea bathing were also advocated, and as all this coincided with the advent of the railways, people flocked to the town and the success of Scarborough was assured.
A century later Dr Richard Russell started claiming that the seawater in Brighton was so much better than that of Scarborough, he not only recommended bathing in the sea water but drinking it too. (Which caused a ripple of laughter to run round the room at the thought of deliberately drinking sea water to improve health. How the times have changed!) Sheila pointed out that in those days, no one wore bathing costumes, so the fact that everyone was naked may well have contributed to their feelings of wellbeing!
Transport was key to the success of many a seaside town, Blackpool being a prime example, surrounded by industrial towns where all the factories closed annually for a few days for essential maintenance. With the exception of the maintenance crews, all the workers were laid off during Wakes week – no holiday pay in those days - but if families could, they saved during the year for a daytrip or a few days at the seaside. All the town councils would get together and decide which town would get which week between May and September, meaning that places like Blackpool had a constant flow of holiday makers and day trippers.
Each seaside resort would develop a style: Bournemouth aimed for refinement and Blackpool catered to the fun loving ‘kiss me quick’ visitor.
Sheila reminded us of donkey rides, saucy postcards, Punch and Judy shows and the joys and perils of knitted bathing costumes.
Then came the advent of Butlins Holiday Camps, with the chalets that in the beginning were little more than garden sheds. But even in those early days, ‘campers’ could enjoy beauty contests, knobbly knees or glamorous grandmother competitions. Planning ahead, so that parents could go out to the bars and evening entertainment, Billy Butlin employed ‘nurses’ who 'took care' of the children by walking the camps and listening out for anyone crying in the chalets.
We all applauded Sheila warmly for a lovely talk that had succeeded in transporting us to the seaside of our childhoods and further back. There then followed a great hum of conversation as we swapped so many vivid and pleasurable memories.
During the month both the morning and evening groups met to discuss ‘The Nightingale’ by Kristin Hannah with a universally positive reaction.
Our coffee afternoon was on Friday 14th November at Stooks Cafe at Newbridge Garden Centre, and lots and lots of us turned up! As luck would have it, it was a really busy day, but Lorena had managed to bag a couple of tables and lots of chairs, so we all crowded round and had a great time. Thank you, Lorena!
The Village Christmas Fete was held on Saturday 22nd November, and the Bombshells were there with their ever popular chocolate tombola. The weather kept numbers down, but nevertheless the grand total came to £104.00. Well done to the ladies who contributed, the ladies who packed and labelled the prizes and then who manned the stall.
Our President has very kindly offered to host our Christmas party, which will be held on 12th December, members only I'm afraid.
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