One for the boys

10:07am Saturday 10th May 2008

Paul Fraser relives his childhood memories on a family holiday at Butlins

"THERE it is", screamed Joseph, aged three, barely able to control his excitement at the mere sight of Butlins, Bognor Regis, after spending the last five hours camped in the back of the car.

With the exception of Santa Claus's visit at Christmas, he had never given something such a build up. After weeks of repeatedly looking out for the adverts on television, the four-day break he had been promised had finally arrived.

It was 15 years ago that I enjoyed the last of four annual holidays to Butlins with my parents and, without any debate, the memories of those are still strong and all positive.

Football coaching with 1966 World Cup winning legends Alan Ball and Geoff Hurst, splashing around in water-world and jumping from one fairground ride to another with some of the boys I made friends with.

Fast-forward a few years to the world of Billy Bear, and with television characters like Bob the Builder, Barney and Brum all lined up to entertain, what more could a little boy want? Even if Chico was there - you know the irritating one from X Factor, with the black, spikey hair and the unbuttoned shirt. This was a trip that was never going to fail. Armed with plenty of money in preparation for a short stay in West Sussex, everything was in place for a good holiday.

Perhaps it was the enjoyment, the hours and days of fun which I recalled from my childhood, that helped to persuade the other half, Jill, that Butlins was the place for us.

And, maybe it would have been, had it not been for the fact that our visit coincided with half term. "There's 4,000 guests here during this week alone," said one of the workers as we chatted while we waited for the takeaway pizza in Papa Johns to arrive. "Then you've got the rest who come on day passes. You get the picture?"

How did my parents cope with such strains? After all, we used to go in the middle of summer, the six-week holidays, when it must have felt like the whole world had arrived in Bognor.

The difference, I have been told by my parents, is that I was old enough to be left alone in a resort with, seemingly, a whole world to explore.

Little Joseph, in 2008, felt the same way. It was just that I was playing daddy this time around and, wow, it was a bit of a wake-up call. Oh, the stress.

Let me explain the positives. Butlins prides itself on providing entertainment for children and, without any doubt, my son loved every minute of it. He would go back tomorrow.

Along with the fantastic shows at no extra charge that must capture every child's imagination and a water world full of slides and rides, there were plenty - or "hundreds" to quote the Butlins brochure - of things to do.

A giant wooden fort to climb, rows of slot machines and arcades to abuse, a huge soft play area for children of all ages and activities such as bowling, snooker and pool.

A new crazy golf - which surprisingly you have to pay to play - has been constructed, while there has been a revamp of the Sun & Moon pub that has proved to be very popular for families and adults on stag and hen weekends.

Over £1m has been spent on updating Butlins for this summer, following on from the £1.5m that was forked out on improving the accommodation 12 months ago. The changes are evident and worthwhile.

Since my last visit to Bognor in the early 1990s, there has been a welcome addition to the options of accommodation at the resort formerly known as South Coast World. As well as the four types of apartments, ranging from Standard through to Gold suites, there are now a number of rooms available in the threestar Shoreline Hotel.

There are three different types of room in the boat-shaped hotel. We stayed in one of Columbus Quarters, which was classed as superior to the Hook's Cabins, but inferior to one of the Nelson's Staterooms.

The latter comes with a private balcony or patio, with a telescope, although the Quarters we stayed in were exceptionally well presented.

Every one has a flat-screen TV and DVD in both the main and childrens' room, with partial sea view or garden patio.

The Shoreline is run independently of the resort, although each guest still has the day pass that gets you around all the attractions.

The modern hotel has its own restaurant and bar, which serves up a delicious breakfast.

Kids, apparently, love Butlins at Bognor Regis, Skegness or Minehead, and the evidence clearly suggests they certainly do.

TRAVEL FACTS

The Shoreline Hotel, Bognor Regis, is offering two-night breaks throughout May and June with prices starting from £35pp based on a family of four (two adults and two children aged 2- 14) sharing a Columbus Quarters on a room-only basis.

For more information or to book a Shoreline Break call 0845-070-4730 or visit www.theshoreline hotel.com. (The maximum call charge is 2p per minute from a BT landline.

Calls from other networks may vary.) Prices at any of the Butlins resorts start from £55pp per break based on selected mid-week breaks in June and on a family of four sharing a Silver self-catering apartment.

From May onwards, for the first time, Cartoon Networks' biggest stars appear live in an interactive game show. The Super Toontastic Game Show stars Johnny Bravo, Ben 10's alien hero Fourarms, scientist extraordinaire Dexter and his sister Dee Dee, deadly showstopper Grim, imaginary friend Bloo, mischievous Edd, Agent 5 from Kid Next Door and Skatoony's Chudd, with Ben 10 himself appearing via satellite.

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