During the Edwardian era the annual holiday was for the privelidged few but by the 20s and 30s for large numbers of people it was becoming a way of life. Lido’s, cinemas, piers and hotels were appearing all along sea fronts and Billy Butlin opened his first holiday camp, in Skegness in 1936. In this photo taken in the 1920s at an unknown seaside resort, the band is playing on the promenade while paddle steamers chug along in the background. It looks like an idylic, restful day out.
While older people enjoyed a restful break, for teenagers in the 1920s the war had changed life dramatically. Many young women found life was much less restrained. I love this next photo taken on Brighton beach in the late 1920s. The fun is so clear to see. All but one of the youngsters are identified on the back.
Left to Right Bob Penning, Elsie Ash, Gladys Punter, Don Penning, Alice Piper, ?, Heathcote Penning. I’m sure they looked back on this day with such happiness.
Another tradional favourite at the seaside in the 1920s and 30s was Punch And Judy, incredibly dating back to the 1660s, by the late Victorian era the target audience had changed to children and the mobile seaside booth had become popular. This photo shows Uncle Lew’s Punch And Judy at Great Yarmouth beach in the 1930s.
Finally of all the photos I have to choose from at the seaside in the 1930s I couldn’t resist this showing this wonderful group of people dancing in the sea at Selsey Bill Sussex. I often look at my old photos and hope the people in them had a happy life. It is impossible to imagine that this group of people could not have done!
Moments Become Memories 