Royal Hotel 1891, Clacton-On-Sea
Royal Hotel 1891, Clacton-On-Sea Ref: 28233
Memories of Royal Hotel 1891, Clacton-On-Sea
The Royal
The Royal Hotel was built in about 1872 and was still a hotel right up to about 1994 when the building became disused and went into a bad and poor building!!! But in 2007 the building has now been started work on to restore it to how it used to be back in the 1960s and 70s and is going to cost around the £10,000,000 mark.
A Waitress at The Royal
My mother was a waitress at the Royal Hotel from c1945-1952
Does anyone remember her?
Her name was Rachel Jacobs k/a Ray
Bedfont Hotel
My husband and I have great memories of Clacton when we worked at the Bedfont Hotel for disabled. We worked as house parents for about 3 years and had a wonderful time looking after many adults and children, it was a very humbling job and very worth it. We returned to Scotland but will never forget our time there. We returned recently but sadly the Bedfont is no longer there, but it was a very nolstalgic visit and rather sad.
Romford
I was born in Ilford, I lived in Romford then when I was 5 I when to Scotland, then about four and a half years later I went down back to Cranham, then I went to Romford.
Holland-On-Sea 1993
Holland is a bustling Essex coastal town
`resplendent`-a bride in her wedding day gown,
tree lined avenues, with neat little plots,
well kept gardens and a place for the tots,
a school, four churches, library and hall,
a pet shop, two surgeries and a doctor `on call.`
`Jeremy Oates` is the chemist who certainly knows his pills
(He’ll mix you a `potient` that’ll soon cure all known ills)
and `Kings Drug Store` is where his `empire ` extends,
here in Holland he’s well known and has many friends.
Holland Motors`-in `auto parlance`, these boys are `hot toast`
though Citroen dealers, will fix any make-that’s no boast.
At the `Tavern`, good food, beer and, some nights, a band,
with snooker tables upstairs if you want to try your hand?
Two Post Offices to make sure your letters go far,
keep in touch with your friends if you haven’t a car.
At the Red Cross Hall, regular meetings they hold
and outside, occasionally, second hand `clobber` is sold.
At `regent` (they’re specialists)browse... Read more
The Royal Hotel.
This was Clacton`s `pride of the fleet` - I worked there as a entertainer on many occasions. I remember Derek Howes at the mighty theatre organ in the lounge/ballroom. The MU (Musicians Union) used to have their annual dances there. In latter days, I entertained the holiday makers and called bingo in my interval with Des. I spent many happy times in the front bar entertaining the `charabang outings` on daily visits from London. Eddy Miller was also in the front bar at this time. He achieved a certain amount of local fame for the number of different disguises he had - he was quite a competant player too, as I remember. I would also play for `dinner/dances' in the middle bar. As `big band/strict tempo' was my forte I got many of these type of functions.
Clacton-On-Sea & local memories
Read and share memories of Clacton-On-Sea and Essex inspired by Frith photos.
Best Years
At the time my surname was Grayston. What can I say, 1980 to 1984 were the best of my school years!! - What a fab school. This was largely a medical school at the time I attended, mainly for childeren with heart murmours, breathing problems, etc.. I was sent there at the age of seven until I was eleven for severe asthma. Not only did it turn my illness around, it also gave me the best memories ever. At that time, the school was run by Mr and Mrs Heart and their two friendly (very large dog) companions. Not only did I gain some great friends, I also gained a (A) in GCSE Art at the school, largely due to Mr Genevo (the best art teacher ever).
Donkeys on The Greensward by Clacton Bowling Club
My grandad, Christopher Jeffrey had the donkeys on the Greensward by Clacton Bowling Club and I remember in 1951 when I was nine years old being given a ride on his donkeys.This postcard brings back happy memories of that long ago visit to my fathers parents. My grandfather had quite a few brothers and sisters, and my dad Ted Jeffrey, often told me stories about them .
It Was A Boarding School in 1968
I spent a few years there with my sister and the headmaster was Mr Booth, the most lovely man I ever met in my life, it was the happiest memories I have and the best years of my childhood.
St Paul`s Church.
There was a reason for the demise of the old building, but I cannot remember it - the relatively new one is lovely too - my daughter recently got married there and I played the wonderful pipe organ that is in situ. I used to live in Victoria Road and spent many hours practising at the organ in the church. On one very memorable ocassion I was sitting at the console writing out some pedal parts (during the winter, when the evenings draw in) in a dark church (the only light was the console one). The then vicar came in to the building and, not hearing any sound, assumed I had gone home and locked up!! Some time later, when I tried to get out, I found I was locked in!! It was the night of the Organ Society Christmas party and I, as founder member, was to be at the 'top table' and would be required to make a speech. I wondered around the building and sure enough, EVERYWHERE was... Read more
School of Despair
Seduced by the professional expertise of our family doctor, my late mother was persuaded to send me away at age 7 to the Ogilvie School which promised a health giving regime for children who were thought to be of "delicate" constitution. Upon arrival I was overwhelmed by institutionalism so far removed from the protected and loving family environment hitherto enjoyed that I might have been whisked to another planet. I never recalled a single member of staff who had any childfriendly inclinations or teachers who were other than time servers. Apart from confinement during Chickenpox and the occupational therapy then enjoyed, every moment spend in this horrendous prison was tearful agony and homesickness. Significant memories? The King died, I discovered gooseberries were quite tasty if eaten uncooked from the extensive kitchen garden, I saw the Brabazon fly overhead and I encountered Slipper Limpets on the shingle beach where we were frequently taken on crocodile walks. I see the actual buildings are still there bearing the logo of another educational establishment,... Read more
STEEL STELLA
I worked on the Steet Stella in 1963. One of my jobs in the morning was to walk round the whole of the track to make sure of the integrity of the woodwork. Also we had to spend two hours a day in the tower at the top to make sure the cars did not get too close together. Also we took turns operating the manual brakes whereby the cars were stopped at the end of the ride. I remember I was so sad when it was pulled down and replaced by the 'Wild Mouse'.
Clacton 1958
Every year until I was a teenager we spent our annual holiday at Clacton. We stayed at the same boarding house every year on St Osyths Road, it was owned by a lovely motherly character called Mrs Theobald, whose husband Percy was the buyer for Thackers green grocers on Pier Avenue. The pleasure boat in the picture is the Nemo II which was owned by "Newt" King. My brother and I used to get free rides, as Mr King was a neighbour of the Theobalds. There was great competition for passengers between the Nemo and the Viking Saga (which is still sailing out of Malden). The structure on the pier was an early roller coaster built out of timber and scaffolding which gloried in the name of the Steel Stella. Under the pier was an ideal place at low tide to go crab hunting. A copy of this picture now hangs on my bedroom wall by courtesy of Friths and brings back many happy memories.
My Dad's Uncle Rainald William Knightley Goddard Designed The Vicarage
I have recently discovered that my dad's uncle Rainald William Knightley Goddard designed the Vicarage for St Paul's during the 1880's. I have the original drawings of the plans to the Vicarage.
Malcolm Goddard
Blissful Days on The Amusements!
This picture takes me back!
It was around 1962 and I was 11 years old. We travelled down to Clacton from South Harrow on a Valiant Cronshaw coach which we caught outside a pub in Northolt - The Plough, I think it was. A great journey to Clacton, and we stayed at 92 Rosemary Road. Gwen Hawkes and her mum ran the B&B - does anyone remember her? We met some nice people there, Mr O'Keefe was one.
Apart from a massive thunderstorm, the amusements and beach were the main attractions and memories for me. On the way to the pier there were many arcades. I recall having to throw wooden balls up a "bowling" alley with netting on each side. You were aiming for the middle hole, like a target, and if the ball went in there it was the highest score - registered by a black and white counter on top. If you got outer holes then you scored less points. The balls were noisily returned down... Read more
The Geisha Hotel
The Marine Parade East is where the Geisha Hotel is on the corner of Orwell Road. This photo is of the road in about 1955 and the hotel can just been seen along the road on the left.
Avenue Club, Cafe, Workshops in Old Road on Mr Trickers Site 95 Old Road
Anyone remember the Avenue Club and Cafe run by Wally and Grace? I was their daughter-in-law and I lived at 95 Old Road in a yard above a private garage that looked like a delapidated old place but inside I made it my own. I have so many memories of owner of Vauxhall Koo 443, owner of a catamaran, like to get in touch. Also JP from Crows Feet cottages in little Clacton.
David Patience who worked in a workshop near 95 old road, went out with my niece.
Tom and Nan Patrick.
Anyone who knew Fred Patrick. Now deceased I believe.
Memories of Dee, mother of Kerry, who my son Geoffrey used to play with next door in house made into flats opposite the beach near Butlins. anyone?
My name was Pat Whitlock then.
Valley Farm Camping Ground
I first came to Clacton in May 1969 (man had yet to land on the moon!!) to do a `season` as solo organist at Valley Farm Camping Ground(as it was then called)
It was all `heady` stuff as, up until then, I had hardly been out of my home town of Shrewsbury(Shropshire) I served an apprenticeship at Hall Engineering and during this time was playing organ with Shropshire`s then top group-the Karacters.
My father was not at all happy that, on completion of my indentures, I `headed East` for a career in music.
He was,however,astounded to hear that I was earning more than a skilled man doing a 40 hour week, in my new capacity as entertainer!
I have written extensively about my time at Hall Engineering(see `made in Shrewsbury` site) and about my new circumstance at Clacton. The town was `buzzing` then with several theatres and, most importantly, Butlins was a major employer and a `magnet` for holiday makers-the town didn`t recover when they left and was never, ever... Read more
Happy Holidays
For a week each year, in the 1950s, I stayed with my aunt in Clacton during the school holidays. I seem to remember that we, my mum and I stayed at my auntie May's house, I'll always remember the address, 49 Coppins Road, for several years during the 50s and once in 1961 (I think). My clearest memory of Clacton was the pier. I remember the 'racing game' where you had to roll a ball into holes that made the horses move. I actually remember winning once, but only once! The Helter Skelter. the Ghost Train and the penny slot machines where a ball bearing spun around and fell into a cup. I also remember candy floss. Was it a penny to go on to the pier?
My cousin Henry Spring worked on the big wheel in Butlins and for a few days I helped out. I think there was a ride called the wild mouse - that was amazing, especially... Read more
