Happy Holidays

A Memory of Clacton-On-Sea.

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 for a 10 year old.

Living with auntie May were Henry, Stanley and Joan - I wonder where they are now. Their house, I remember had a bathroom off the kitchen where there was a bath but no running hot water - they used to boil water on the gas cooker and take it in to the bathroom. At home we always had sliced bread, but auntie May used to slice it herself - a strange memory that one.

Pier Road had its amusement arcades and I spent many happy hours there playing the flick ball machines and the penny cranes. I would spend little money, indeed I only had a little money, and have a great deal of fun in those arcades. Sometimes I would come home with more money than I went out with!

These short holidays remain firmly embedded in my memory and Clacton of the 50s was to me, a truly wonderful and exciting place.

What happened to the Springs???

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