Saltfleet Fishing In The 1970s

A Memory of Saltfleet.

Through the 1970s my grandad, Sam Stokes, had a caravan on Sea Lane on Sandyfields Site. I think the owner at the time was a Mrs. Shidell. I usually went with my cousin Nigel and we spent the days fishing for eels around Saltfleet. In the evenings we would go to the Crown Inn and my grandad would play dominoes with some of the locals. The amusement arcade was also popular at the top of Sea Lane, as was the Chippy on Sandyfields. As we got old enough to drink (legally!) we would go to the New Inn where I remember playing, over and over again, 'Baker Street' on the juke box. Usually, the first day of our stay would involve a trip to Mablethorpe to get our fishing licences, then to a nearby farm for a dozen broken eggs and to the butchers for some Lincolnshire sausage. When my grandad's caravan was considered too 'old' for the site a kind local who I believe was called Maurice offered him the use of his farm which I think was Skidbrooke Farm. How the van was towed there I do not know but it was there for a few more years before Sam became too old to keep it on. Sam passed away in 1988 and I think I was 19 the last time I stayed in the caravan in 1980. I still have very fond memories of Saltfleet and always try to call for a walk round when I am at the East Coast.