Holiday Memories

A Memory of Barmston.

We holidayed in Barmston for two weeks each summer, being a family of six who travelled from Huddersfield. My dad was a turner for a large engineering company who formally was a 'regular' in REME seeing active service throughout the war in the Middle East and Europe before returning home in 1946. My mum and dad worked hard to bring up a large family and ensure that we got a two week break each year during "engineers fortnight" which I recall was the last two weeks in July.
We started to come to Barmston around 1960 (when I was seven) and, to start with, stayed in the Caravan Park in the timber chalets that were (if my memory serves me well) situated at the bottom of the site at the Black Bull end. Even though the chalets were comfortable and clean,I can still remember the 'fusty' smell as you first entered. (must have been lack of use over the off-season)
As kids, we loved this place! We had the beach,the sea, playground and amusement arcade all within easy reach. This was also in the days when parents could let their kids 'run-free' without fear of the consequences. So 'run-free' we did for a whole blissful fortnight!
Even at that young age, I can recall a change in my parents as they to started to unwind from the rigours of life back in Huddersfield.
Walks along the beach into Bridlington with my dad and family evenings in the beer garden of the Black Bull.
I moved to Bridlington with my job in the early 80's and thought I had 'died and gone to heaven', returning to an area with such happy memories from my childhood.
I met a local girl, we married, raised our own family and now live in one of the local villages less than ten miles from Barmston.
It seems strange that people who were born and bred in the area seem, on occasion, to take their surroundings for granted. I still like to visit Barmston and (although so much has gone) remember the happy days when we managed to escape grimy old Huddersfield for fourteen days of bliss each year!

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