Butlins Ayr Trilogy Part One

"Working at Butlins took on a whole new meaning. Suddenly Butlins became the best place in the world."

In 1982, Greenock born, Frank McGroarty’s life was transformed when he managed to secure a dream job at the former Butlins Holiday Camp at Ayr as a Redcoat.

As a member of the world famous “Red and White Brigade,” Frank enjoyed three memorable seasons at the company’s Scottish base where he went from being an introverted teenager to that of being confident enough to work as a Compere and as a stage performer.

And most importantly, during his first season, he met the lady who became his wife, Wendy. October 2015 will be the couple’s 30th Wedding Anniversary. Since he last worked at Ayr in 1984, Frank has worked as a stand-up comic, freelance Journalist and Radio Broadcaster.

Now he can add Author to that list with the publication of his first novel “What Time Does Midnight Cabaret Start” a “coming of age” love story, set during the later years of the “Hi De Hi “era at Butlins at Ayr in 1982.

He said: “Having supplied articles to numerous publications and feature desks over the years, this is an exciting new challenge for me. When I took a Creative Writing course as part of my Open University Degree two years ago, it made me fall in love with writing all over again. “I always liked the idea of writing my own book. Now not only have I written it, but I have published it as well.”

“One of the first things they taught me when I did my writing course, was that when you are looking for ideas, the best way to start, is write about something you know. So in the end, my first book became a labour of love, writing a story where the inspiration was my three life changing seasons, working as a Redcoat at Ayr.”

“I worked with fabulous people during that time. Thanks to the internet and social media, I am still in contact with many of them today.”

“What Time Does Midnight Cabaret Start” centres on the character of 18 year old Terry McFadden who is stuck on the dole with nowhere to go. Plagued by crippling shyness, he doesn’t have the confidence to do anything, unless it was performing on stage or on the ballroom dance floor. But that wasn’t going to get him a job.

Then his talents set him on the road towards a life changing summer working as a Butlins Redcoat, where under the guidance of ego maniac Entertainments Manager, Ron De Vere, he discovers the person he wanted to be. He also finds true love, with the lovely Angie

Said Frank: “This is a work of fiction based on historical fact I hope that not only will they enjoy the story but it will also bring back those wonderful memories of how Butlins worked in those days as well as of a camp that is no longer there.”

What Time Does Midnight Cabaret Start? Is available in Paperback, Hardback and in digital download, E Book and Audio format, from Amazon and other retail outlets

• Publisher ‏ : ‎ IWM Publishing; 1st edition (24 Jan. 2015)

• Language ‏ : ‎ English

• Paperback ‏ : ‎ 233 pages

• ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0992957931

• ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0992957933
  

Butlins Holiday Camps were often regarded as British Escapism at its best! For millions of holidaymakers, it evoked wonderful memories of a special world where it was “a week’s holiday for a week’s pay”. For those who worked there, the memories were also life changing.

"Working at Butlins took on a whole new meaning. Suddenly Butlins became the best place in the world."

Butlins Holiday Camps were often regarded as British Escapism at its best! For millions of holidaymakers, it evoked wonderful memories of a special world where it was “a week’s holiday for a week’s pay”.

For those who worked there, the memories were also life changing.