Butlins 1978 is my latest work inspired by a memorable family holiday to Butlins Skegness holiday camp in 1978.
Artwork: Butlins 1978
As soon as the schools broke up for the summer, we’d be off on our family holiday. I loved our annual seaside adventure and in 1978 it was extra special. I was nine years old, and we were staying at Butlins Skegness for the very first time. The campsite had everything I could wish for, all activities were free, and I had the freedom to roam and play on my own wherever I liked.
It was around late Spring each year Mum would start her preparations. She kept to a tight budget and planned everything meticulously.
We had a wonderful time however the backdrop to this story is something I was completely oblivious to at the time. Money was extremely tight.
My parents were dealing with mortgage interest rates of 12% and rising. The UK was in the depths of a period of austerity and later that year the country would experience the ‘Winter of Discontent’.
Original words composed and stitched by Catherine Hill. Hand embroidered onto cotton cloth.
This artwork is part of a series of ‘Red Box’ pieces capturing stories from my childhood in 1970’s Lancashire.