One hundred years of happy campers

Standfirst

Hi-de-hi was more low-de-low for visitors to Britain's first holiday camp at Caister 100 years ago. As the now-thriving complex launches its centenary celebrations, EDP Deputy Editor James Ruddy reveals its bygone secrets.

Mainpiece

Booze was banned, no talking was allowed after 11pm, and the highlight of the week was a Sunday afternoon lecture on the Labour movement.

Welcome to Britain's first family holiday camp which opened in 1906 at Caister - with the holidaymakers (if they can be called that!) also facing the delights of straw beds and communal cold showers.

Now one of Haven Holidays most popular caravan and chalet centres, Caister Holiday Park boasts mod cons that would make its early visitors eyes boggle.

New research by Haven has revealed how it all began in the shadow of a fluttering red flag with the attractive title of Dodd's Socialist Holiday Camp.

Founding father was political activist John Fletcher Dodd, who was keen to promote his socialist ideals by offering holidays to working men from the tough streets of South East London.

Dodd, a former grocer and founding member of the Independent Labour Party, also belonged to one of the popular new Clarion cycling groups - and it was whilst pedalling through Norfolk that he spotted a substantial house for sale right on the seafront near Great Yarmouth.

He bought it, complete with six acres of land, put up a few bell tents in his back garden and invited some of his trade unionist friends to come and stay.

Despite the rigours of sleeping on straw and sharing a communal cold water standpipe, the seaside holiday proved a popular option and before long the number of tents grew.

Among leading figures of the day to make visits were playwright George Bernard Shaw, Keir Hardie and Herbert Morrison who went on to be a cabinet minister.

Rules at Southampton-born Fletcher Dodd's camp were strict - as you might expect from a man who was also a teetotal magistrate.

Apart from the ban on alcohol, there was no gambling, no 'improper' language and no noise after 11.00 p.m. It might have been a holiday but the women were still expected to do the cooking - and the men had to pick the vegetables from the adjoining gardens.

Families were invited, but sorry - babies were banned, children had to be at least two before Dodd would allow them on his camp.

Enthralling entertainments included sing songs around the camp fire and story telling - with the highlight of the week being a Sunday afternoon lecture on politics and trade unionism.

Nevertheless, with its fabulous position directly on the beach, the camp was soon attracting around 300 holidaymakers-a-week and the tents were gradually replaced by huts and chalets.

A big expansion took place in the 1930s when special trains known as the 'Holiday Camp Express' travelling direct from London Liverpool Street and stopping at the Park.

For £2 2shillings an adult could stay at the Caister Holiday Camp for a week, with three meals a day including a cooked breakfast, dinner, tea and supper. You needed to book early to be sure of a wooden hut with two bedsteads, a chest of drawers and a washstand - otherwise it was back to basics in a four man bell tent.

Guests in the 30s were expected to wear the Camp Badge, which sold at the extra cost of 2d - and if you fancied a quick dip in the sea (no heated pools in those days) you had to wear the regulation bathing costume, purchased from the camp shop.

The brochure proudly stated 'Bathing is free and is one of the many joys of camp life.'

Sport was high on the agenda, with holidaymakers divided into two teams - The Lions and The Bears. Facilities included five tennis courts, a putting green, a bowling green and a billiard room - although entertainment was organised by committees elected by the campers.

The brochure said 'If you have any gift for entertaining, be sure the Committee will find you out and you will be guaranteed an appreciative audience.'

With Caister Holiday Park a thriving concern Dodd was able to treat himself to Caister's first motor car as well as holidays for himself and his family in Switzerland.

The day to day running of the business was passed to his two sons, although Dodd senior kept an eye on things right up until his death at the age of 90.

He would be amazed how things later progressed. In the 70s leisure giant Ladbroke's took over the park.

At last there was a range of bars and 'sparkling entertainment' with top line cabaret featuring stars such as Des O'Connor, Ronnie Corbett, Frankie Vaughan, Roy Castle and Roy Hudd. There were even beauty contests, discos and baby-minding.

Today the park would be almost unrecognisable to those pioneer visitors offering everything from heated indoor and outdoor leisure pools, SplashZone activities featuring new Aqua Scooters and Aqua Jet Extreme, kids' clubs, a full programme of daytime sports - including Pro-Football and Basketball Coaching, fencing, archery and American style sports.

Yesteryear's political lectures long ago gave way to live family entertainment

at a choice of venues every evening.

And the bell tents have been replaced by comfortable self-catered holiday homes from the more economic 'Star' caravans to the luxurious 'Gold' range - the latter featuring DVD players, fitted kitchens, constant hot water, showers, loos and even central heating.

And those Victorian ladies would have been able to dump their cooking pots these days - half-board accommodation is now an option!

* Dodds' prices of of £2 2shillings a week for an adult have also changed with the years. A self-catering break now starts at around £139 for a week. If you book before Jan 31st you can nab a half price holiday with savings of up to £414.

This year Caister will be celebrating its centenary with a special programme of entertainment and lots of extra fun on the park. Call 0870 242 2222 for immediate bookings and the latest offers or visit

www.havenholidays.com .

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