http://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/blackpoolnews/Housing-plan-for-Pontins-site.56\
30070.jp#comments

From the current (as I write this) Blackpool Gazzette. Thus far there have been
39 comments on the decision, added by readers.

For those who don't know already, Pontin's in Blackpool closed for good on
Friday. It was mainly blamed on the lack of investment in the place. Also in
recent months, a woman contracted Legionnaires Disease and died, plus another
two are seriously ill, that wouldn't do the camp any favours.

Andrew

I have often wondered what happened to all the guys and girls who worked at the
various camps up and down the country. Some used to return year after and others
were one season wonders never to be seen or heard of ever again.

Throughout my life I have travelled and had pleasure of meeting and working with
a vast array of characters form all walks of life. From the downright stupid to
the bizarre and beyond. But mostly It has been an honour to spend just a short
time in the company of some of the nicest people around. I actually worked at
Butlins Barry Island in both 83 and 84 and they were good times. At the end of
each season, folk would exchange contact details and promise to keep in touch
but it rarely happened.

I understand that people do move on with their lives and for their own personal
reasons decide to leave the past behind. That is their choice and that has to be
respected. However I find it sad when those you were once close to, even for a
short while decide not to stay in touch. In recent times I have been in contact
with people whom I have not seen for long periods of my life, some from my
school days, others from my army days and some people whom I met along the way.
i can only say that it has been an absolute pleasure and in fact an honour to
hear from these people. A few weeks ago I made contact with a former teacher of
mine whom I had not seen since 1973, he is now a professor at the University of
West Georgia, in the USA.

I have probably never met any of you but have been interested by some of the
things you have wrote and enjoyed looking at the photographs,

Best Wishes,

George.

Hello to all you of you! My name is George and i have just joined the group. I
would briefly like to tell you a little about myself and my experiences at
Middleton Tower.

I am originally from Liverpool but now live and work in London. As a child I
went to Middleton Tower in May of 1971 and 72 with my primary school and the
memories of my time there remain with me to this day. I suppose as a youngster
going away from home for a week was an escape from reality and something we all
looked forward to. In 71 I can still recall us all counting down the days and
then on the Saturday morning we all set off by coach for a week of adventure.

My abiding memories would be to many to mention, so I'll list just a few. They
used to have these bikes called " Social Cycles " on which two of you sat next
to each other on bench seats. Both riders had their own set of handle bars and
peddles and we spent many an hour riding around the camp and even racing others.

There was a disco located under the dining room and near to an upstairs lounge
bar where we all spent time before our teachers sent us to bed. The DJ at that
time was a dark haired guy called Mick. He seemed to play the same songs each
night, " Spirit In The Sky " - Norman Greenbaum, " Jeepster " - T.Rex, " Maggie
May " - Rod Stewart, to name a few. In fact I actually won a Disco Mime
Competition miming to " Maggie May " with thre other friends from school.

For those of you old enough to rmember Hughie Green and a show called " Sky's
The Limit " in which contestants answered questions to win air miles, the winner
of one of the shows was a bluecoat at MT in 72. His name was Roy Blackman and he
could answer any question about football put to him. He was amazing and a very
nice guy.

we used to sit near the little boating lake in the evenings watching the sun go
down. The problems we all had was that we were spoilt for choice, with things
always going on and trying to cram them all in. They were really fun times and
sadly I was never able to re-visit as I left home at sixteen to work away. When
I did want to go back it had closed.

Take Care Everyone.

--- In MiddletonTowersHeyshamLancashire@yahoogroups.com, "Andrew"
<wonderdragon2@...> wrote:
>
> I know people in here have connections with both and other sites, and
> it was mentioned on Granada Reports that Pontins (now owned by Ocean
> Parcs) will be spending (c) £50 million on redeveloping both. Southport
> will be completely rebuilt, Blackpool will be the same I take it. I'm
> not sure when it closed.
>
> Andrew
>
hi,
i worked both Middleton and Blackpool arcades (Blackpool before
Middletons season opened and after it shut)lived on Blackpool camp
whilst working in Coral Island Blackpool Prom and also did a Xmas at
Blackpool 1982 and actually come from Southport. I still repair
Amusent equipment now for customers in southport.
Our local paper reporeted that the £50M was split between all the
camps with £10M allocated for Southport.
Southport camp is very busy with weekend theme breaks, music
weekenders etc, but does need a lot of work!!
Luckiy its the camp i have not worked on, Middleton was and still is
my favourite.

I can't answer the question, in case anyone asks, as to why
some 'approvals' are taking ages to come through. I've just approved
the membership of a former barman, who found us on February the 25th,
but only went into the group this morning, and has yet to notify me by
my inbox.

I've already in the past few days approve a former Glamourous
Grandmother, who applied after that.


Andrew

I was told today that Jeff is awaiting heart bypass surgery. I'm sure
I'm not alone in wishing him well and to have a speedy recovery.

Andrew

I know people in here have connections with both and other sites, and
it was mentioned on Granada Reports that Pontins (now owned by Ocean
Parcs) will be spending (c) £50 million on redeveloping both. Southport
will be completely rebuilt, Blackpool will be the same I take it. I'm
not sure when it closed.

Andrew

I agree completely but it all needs tidying up as there you have a few
fora on this subject and they are in different places.

People are lazy and don't like to click too much to get to different
places - if all the fora could be merged into one then we will be flying.

A few months ago I suggested using Vbulletin but there is a cost
attached for that (they had an importer which would have made the
transition easier).

But there is a free forum software which I have seen people do some
great things with:

http://www.simplemachines.org/

Unfortunately I dont have the time to put everything from all fora
into one of these as I am already running a busy forum and a few
online businesses but the opportunity is there for us as a group..
surely theres one of us used to working with forum software and is
wiling to help out?

Of course we will leave these existing fora in place should anything
bad happen.

I think its time we tried and got this group (and the other three!!)
going again. It's nice to see the memberships albeit slowly growing,
but some are still on the shy side on the saying 'hello' bit. Thanks to
Julie for the 7 pictures from the 80's posted recently.

I had thought of a reunion again, the last being in September 2004, so
I suppose about the same time in this year should suit most.

I'll update my details on Friends Reunited soon. The wee yellow flag
seems to attract people here.

Andrew

Sorry for taking so long to reply, work and stuff.

Say 'hi' to Emma from me, the last we met was in Wigan in 1994 when I
was going for a job interview, and she helpedme find where I was
going. The street name had Mesnes in it, which I though was
pronounced 'Mez-nez' but is actually 'mains'.

I might try for another reunion in the latter half of '09, fifteen
years after Middleton closed. I have another impending trip to Ohio
and Michigan in the autumn, but should be able to squish a get
together into my schedule. The 2004 reunion was a success, and next
time around I'll know how to work a digital camera!

If you have any up to date pictures of yourselves, feel free to pop
them in, it would be an idea to regurgitate the group a bit.


Andrew


--- In MiddletonTowersHeyshamLancashire@yahoogroups.com, "arran7630"
<arrancothill@...> wrote:
>
> Hello Andrew.
>
> You hit the nail on the head. It was nice of them to name an Island
> after me!! Emma and I still catch up. I still see some of the lads
from
> that year aswell. Would be great to get a few together. Oddly
enough I
> work quite often in Morecambe and have seen it change (very
little).
> Will have a look for the photo you mentioned later on.
>
> Regards Arran
> >
>

Hello Andrew.

You hit the nail on the head. It was nice of them to name an Island
after me!! Emma and I still catch up. I still see some of the lads from
that year aswell. Would be great to get a few together. Oddly enough I
work quite often in Morecambe and have seen it change (very little).
Will have a look for the photo you mentioned later on.

Regards Arran
>

I remember you from 1994, and Emma too, there is one picture in here
somewhere, in at least one of the groups of yourself  and Emma. Not one
of my finer shots. I remember you telling me you were named after the
island just off the coast from me. I last met Emma in 1994 in Wigan
when I was going for a job interview. I was looking for a street I
thought was pronounced 'Mez-nez' is is spelled 'Mesnes', but
proniunced 'Mains'.

Hello also to the others who have joined recently.

Andrew

Sorry I haven't been around much, between work and a slight
transformation in my flat going on, I've been lacking in motivating
some of the groups I run.

Any members that have joined recently and left a message saying why
then wish to join (it's a spam combatant) say hello again.

All new members messages are moderated, again to help stop spam, and
people shouting at inanimate 'composers'.

Andrew

Hi all

Was a guest at MT from being a toddler in the  early 70's right through
to the mid 80's as a teenager.

My sister (Joanne) and I met a girl, Sue Harkness from Peterlee with
whom we bacame good friends.  We even met up again the following year
and used to write to each other.  I'd love to catch up with her, we had
such fun at MT, being silly and flirting with Blues! (or rather, should
I say, trying to!)

Ali Hamilton from Liverpool

----- Original Message -----

From: davidm_flit

To: MiddletonTowersHeyshamLancashire@yahoogroups.com

Sent: Saturday, August 23, 2008 11:11 AM

Subject: Re: Ouch

--- In MiddletonTowersHeyshamLancashire@yahoogroups.com, "Paul
Wilkinson" <paul.wilky@...> wrote:
>
> Sorry, everyone, it failed to upload to the sight.
>
> If anyone wants it drop me a line.
>
> Paul.
>

Hi Paul

I found this group just by chance. I was talking to somebody,
remembered the Nobodies Alice Anne and did a search. The group got
returned with your words and music file.

Can you send me a copy of the track, I loved the song.

Best Regards

David Mangan

No virus found in this incoming message.
Checked by AVG - http://www.avg.com Version: 8.0.138 / Virus Database: 270.6.7/1629 - Release Date: 23/08/2008 13:16

--- In MiddletonTowersHeyshamLancashire@yahoogroups.com, "Paul
Wilkinson" <paul.wilky@...> wrote:
>
> Sorry, everyone, it failed to upload to the sight.
>
> If anyone wants it drop me a line.
>
> Paul.
>

Hi Paul

I found this group just by chance. I was talking to somebody,
remembered the Nobodies Alice Anne and did a search. The group got
returned with your words and music file.

Can you send me a copy of the track, I loved the song.

Best Regards

David Mangan