Showing posts with label Postcards. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Postcards. Show all posts

Friday, April 24, 2020

Holidaying at home - a postcard from Bournemouth

A blog post about not going to Bournemouth.


We were supposed to be starting our holiday in Bournemouth today and were going to be staying at the Miramar Hotel. The hotel was once home to a Putting Green.

Sea and South Frontage, Hotel Miramar, Bournemouth. Eversheds. St Albans. Postally unused
Sea and South Frontage, Hotel Miramar, Bournemouth. Eversheds. St Albans. Postally unused


We'd planned visits to 16 miniature golf courses in the Bournemouth, Boscombe, Southbourne, Poole and Sandbanks area of Dorset on the trip. We've now been to 948 courses since September 2006.

We've collected quite a few old postcards of minigolf courses in the area. Some are still there, such as the Lower Gardens course in Bournemouth, while others, like the Alum Chine course are long gone.

Postcard of Alum Chine, Bournemouth. Printed by Deardon & Wade Bournemouth.Postally unused. Undated
Postcard of Alum Chine, Bournemouth. Printed by Deardon & Wade Bournemouth.Postally unused. Undated

Miniature Golf in Central Gardens, Bournemouth. Postcard by The Photographic Greetings Cards Co Ltd, London. Posted 24 July 1970
The 'Miniature Golf in Central Gardens, Bournemouth' postcard by The Photographic Greetings Cards Co Ltd, London was posted from Bournemouth to Cleveleys in Lancashire on the 24th July 1970

Mini-Golf at the Lower Gardens, Bournemouth, Dorset. J. Arthur Dixon postcard. PDO/89332 Posted August 1990
Mini-Golf at the Lower Gardens, Bournemouth, Dorset. J. Arthur Dixon postcard. PDO/89332 Posted August 1990

A Boscombe Crazy Golf postcard. JH 40 Plastichrome by Colourpicture. Pub. by J. Hammersley, Boscombe, Bournemouth. Posted in 1967
A Boscombe Crazy Golf postcard. JH 40 Plastichrome by Colourpicture. Pub. by J. Hammersley, Boscombe, Bournemouth. Posted in 1967

Crazy Golf and Rockery, Sandbanks, Poole. P.2674 Dennis Productions Postcard. Postally used. Date unknown
Crazy Golf and Rockery, Sandbanks, Poole. P.2674 Dennis Productions Postcard. Postally used. Date unknown

The Isle of Wight from Highcliffe-on-Sea. PT3098
The Isle of Wight from Highcliffe-on-Sea. PT3098

We're looking forward to visiting the area on holiday next year.

Thursday, April 16, 2020

A Typical Butlin Monorail

A look at an old Butlins postcard from Skegness.


I'm always on the lookout for old minigolf postcards and when I'm sorting through them at fairs, car boot sales, or in charity or antique shops I always keep an eye out for holiday camp postcards too.


This is one of the wonderful Butlin's cards from the late 1960's and it ticks a number of my interest boxes.


Firstly it's got a prominent view of a miniature golf course being played.

Secondly it's a Butlin's holiday camp card.

And thirdly it's got a monorail on it!

A Typical Butlin Monorail. I have two other versions of this card, but with the caption of 'Butlin's Skegness Monorail' instead. One was postally used on 27th July 1971
A Typical Butlin Monorail. I have two other versions of this card, but with the caption of 'Butlin's Skegness Monorail' instead. One was postally used on 27th July 1971

Two firsts


Skegness was the first Butlin's holiday camp and it opened its doors on the 11th April 1936.

The camp at Butlin's Skegness was the location for the UK's first commercial monorail. It opened in 1965.

Since then a number of camps opened and closed, underwent facelifts and rebranding exercises and offered marvellous holidays to millions of people.

Holidaying at Butlin's


My parents met at the Butlin's holiday camp in Clacton-on-Sea in the 1970's. My family often went on holiday to the Butlin's holiday camp in Minehead. We also had one stay at the Bognor Regis and Ayr camps. I spent many summers in the 80's and 90's at the Barry Island Holiday Camp, itself a former Butlin's camp.

I have not yet visited the Skegness camp, but have had some brilliant holidays in Skeggy itself.

We also used to ride the monorail at Butlin's Minehead all the time.

Butlin's Somerwest World Monorail. From the Gottfried family photo archive 2019
My brother Christopher foudnd this snap of us riding the monorail at Butlin's Minehead back in the early 90's while looking through some old family photos

Wednesday, April 15, 2020

A crazy golf postcard from Bridlington

A look at an old minigolf postcard from Bridlington.


One of the very nice old minigolf postcards we found at the Stockport postcard fair was this one showing the Crazy Golf course on Royal Princes Parade in Bridlington.

Royal Princes Parade and North Bay, Bridlington. B.2247, E.T.W. Dennis & Sons Ltd
Royal Princes Parade and North Bay, Bridlington. B.2247, printed and published by E.T.W. Dennis & Sons Ltd, Scarborough & London

It was posted to a someone called Richard in Grimsby from his Auntie Nellie. Unfortunatley the stamp and postmark are missing so there's no date for when it was sent.

We really liked our visits to Bridlington. Time flies as we were last there in 2015. We must return in the future.

Tuesday, April 14, 2020

A minigolf postcard from Rhos-on-Sea

A look at an old miniature golf course in Rhos-on-Sea.


One of the brilliant old minigolf postcards we bought at the Stcokport postcard fair was this one showing the Putting Course in Rhos-on-Sea.


Putting Course. Rhos-on-Sea. C1542. E.T.W. Dennis & Sons Ltd
Putting Course. Rhos-on-Sea. C1542. E.T.W. Dennis & Sons Ltd

Published by E.T.W. Dennis & Sons Ltd the postcard is postally unused and undated.



We've been to Rhos-on-Sea a couple of times on our travels. The first time was in 2009 and there was no sign of the course. The second time was in 2017 when we played the Crazy Golf course at the Rhos Fynach pub and restaurant on Miniature Golf Day. It was built on the site of the old Putting Course.

Crazy Golf course at the Rhos Fynach pub and restaurant in Rhos-on-Sea
If you look past the course you can see the arched window on the seafront that also appears in the old postcard

Thursday, April 09, 2020

Putting at Highcliffe-on-Sea

A look at an old minigolf postcard from Highcliffe-on-Sea.


We bought this nice old postcard showing a Putting Green while we were at the most recent Stockport postcard fair.


Postcard showing The Isle of Wight from Highcliffe-on-Sea. PT3098. Postally unused. Undated. No publisher details
The Isle of Wight from Highcliffe-on-Sea. PT3098

We hadn't seen this particular card before and had never heard of Highcliffe-on-Sea.



The town is part of Christchurch borough in Dorset.

The card is postally unused, undated and has no publisher details on it. There is a code of PT3098 on it though. The details on the reverse say "The Isle of Wight from Highcliffe-on-Sea".

It's always nice to see old minigolf postcards. Some give us clues of new places to play, while others show long lost miniature golf layouts.

We had planned to visit Dorset at the end of this month, but that trip has been postponed until after the UK coronavirus lockdown. We'll have to go to Highcliffe-on-Sea and see what's at the same spot now.

I'd be very interested to hear from anyone who remembers the course and knows exactly where it was.

Looking online to see if there's still a course there my eye was drawn to the nearby Hoburne Naish Holiday Park in Barton on Sea where I noticed a minigolf course! Another one to add to our list...

Wednesday, April 08, 2020

A postcard from Butlin's Bognor Regis

The most recent Stockport postcard fair was a goldmine of nice old miniature golf postcards.


One of which was this John Hinde Ltd multi-view card showing The Putting Green at Butlin's Bognor Regis.


Butlin's Bognor Regis. John Hinde Ltd. Posted on 3 Aug 1981
Butlin's Bognor Regis. John Hinde Ltd. Posted on 3 Aug 1981

The card was posted from the camp on 3rd August 1981 by Babs & Fred who were "Having a nice time." It was sent to Brightlingsea in Essex.


I always keep my eye out for old holiday camp postcards. They're fairly easy to spot as they tend to be nice and brightly coloured. There's also a good chance that minigolf or crazy golf will feature on them.

I wrote an article about Butlin's postcards in the November 2016 issue of Picture Postcard Monthly magazine. That piece was to celebrate the 80th birthday of Butlin's.

My family often went on holiday to the Butlin's holiday camp in Minehead. We also had one stay at the Bognor Regis and Ayr camps. I spent many summers in the 80's and 90's at the Barry Island Holiday Camp, itself a former Butlin's camp.

Tuesday, April 07, 2020

Miniature Golf at Thermal Hotel Guayarmina on Gran Canaria

Who would like to be on holiday in the Canary Islands right now?


I found this old postcard of the Thermal Hotel Guayarmina in the Agaete Valley in the Canary Islands while looking for minigolf postcards at the most recent Stockport Town Hall postcard fair.


Postcard from Thermal Hotel Guayarmina on Gran Canaria

In among the advertised health and tranquility benefits of staying at the Thermal Hotel on Gran Canaria is Miniature Golf! I wonder what the course was like?


Emily was actually due to go on holiday to the Canary Islands this summer, with a trip to Lanzarote booked and now cancelled because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Check out the blog posts below for photos and details of courses friends and family have sent to us from their travels to the Canary Islands.

Mini Golf in Puerto del Carmen, Lanzarote by Jo Tubby
Mini Golf in Puerto del Carmen, Lanzarote by Jo Tubby

Rooftop Mini Golf in Puerto Del Carmen, Lanzarote by Steve Lovell and Brian Butterworth
Rooftop Mini Golf in Puerto Del Carmen, Lanzarote by Steve Lovell and Brian Butterworth

Mini Golf in Playa Blanca, Lanzarote by Richard Rochester
Mini Golf in Playa Blanca, Lanzarote by Richard Rochester

Mini Golf Aquarium in Lanzarote by Les Tubby
Mini Golf Aquarium in Lanzarote by Les Tubby

Minigolf San Antonio in Lanzarote by Les Tubby
Minigolf San Antonio in Lanzarote by Les Tubby

Mini Golf at the Mediterranean Palace Hotel in Tenerife by Jason Mayne
Mini Golf at the Mediterranean Palace Hotel in Tenerife by Jason Mayne 

Mini Golf course in Puerto Colón, Tenerife by Philip Walsh
Mini Golf course in Puerto Colón, Tenerife by Philip Walsh  

Billiard Golf tables in Puerto Colón, Tenerife by Philip Walsh
Billiard Golf tables in Puerto Colón, Tenerife by Philip Walsh

Friday, April 03, 2020

A postcard from Pontins Prestatyn Holiday Centre

A look at an old postcard from Pontins Prestatyn Holiday Centre.


One of the old postcards I bought at the recent Stockport postcard fair was this one sent to Chester in 1987.


Pontin's Prestatyn Holiday Centre. Bamforth & Co. Ltd. 1987
Pontin's Prestatyn Holiday Centre. Bamforth & Co. Ltd. Postally used in 1987

The Bamforth & Co. Ltd. card gives a nice view of the holiday camp.

Pontins Prestatyn Sands

Pontins Prestatyn Sands was the setting for the film Holiday on the Buses and we've stayed there twice for special events. The excellent swimming pool and main building on the card are still instantly recognisable today.

Pontin's Prestatyn Sands holiday camp
Outside the main building at Pontin's Prestatyn Sands holiday camp in 2014

The July 2019 issue of Picture Postcard Monthly magazine contains an article I wrote about Pontins postcards
.

One of my prized minigolf possessions is from the Pontins Holiday Village. It's something of a crazy golf postcard holy grail as the sender wrote about the course depicted on the card.

Pontin's Prestatyn Holiday Village. Photo Precision Limited R5605. Postally used 8 July 1977
Pontin's Prestatyn Holiday Village. Photo Precision Limited R5605. Postally used 8 July 1977

Thursday, April 02, 2020

Putting Green at Marine Gardens in Worthing

Two old miniature golf postcards from Worthing.


Two of the old minigolf postcards I bought at the recent Stockport postcard fair were of the Putting course at Marine Gardens in West Worthing.


Neither were-posted and are both undated.


Marine Gardens, West Worthing. PT3206. Photo Precision Limited
Marine Gardens, West Worthing. PT3206. Photo Precision Limited 

Putting Green, Marine Gardens, Worthing. Plastichrome by Colourpicture
Putting Green, Marine Gardens, Worthing. Plastichrome by Colourpicture

We first visited the course in 2010 and revisited last April.

The Putting course at Marine Gardens in Worthing in July 2010
The Putting course at Marine Gardens in Worthing in July 2010

It hasn't changed too much over the years and is a nice spot to visit if you're in Worthing.

A postcard of Piccadilly Gardens in Manchester

A look at a postcard of Piccadilly Gardens in Manchester sent from Stockport in 1970.


The most recent Stockport postcard fair at Stockport Town Hall was a treasure trove of old miniature golf postcards. However, one that also caught my eye was this card showing Piccadilly Gardens in Manchester.


Piccadilly Gardens, Manchester. By Lilywhite Postcards., Brighouse. Published by Colin Richardson Printers Limited. Posted from Stockport in 1970
Piccadilly Gardens, Manchester. By Lilywhite Postcards., Brighouse. Published by Colin Richardson Printers Limited. Posted from Stockport in 1970

It's not just the image on the front that caught my eye as the message/address side has a very nice Stockport postmark cancellation celebrating the 750th Charter Anniversary of the town!

Stockport's 750th Charter Anniversary postmark cancellation

Ancient boroughs were historic units of lower tier local government.

The stamp has been removed and so some of the postmark is missing, but you can see it was sent from Stockport, Cheshire to Malvern, Worcestershire.

Tuesday, March 31, 2020

A postcard from Butlin's Pwllheli

A look at The Putting Greens and Lawns at Butlin's Pwllheli.


The recent Stockport postcard fair was a goldmine of old miniature golf postcards.


One of which was this card showing The Putting Greens and Lawns at Butlin's Pwllheli.


Butlin's Pwllheli The Putting Greens and Lawns. CT1306. 1 June 1964
Butlin's Pwllheli The Putting Greens and Lawns. CT1306. Posted from the camp to Boston, Lincolnshire on the 1st June 1964

My family often went on holiday to Butlin's holiday camps in Minehead, Bognor Regis and Ayr - and I spent many summers in the 80's and 90's at the Barry Island Holiday Camp, which was formerly a Butlin's camp.

Butlin's Somerwest World Monorail. From the Gottfried family photo archive 2019
My brother Christopher foudnd this snap of us riding the monorail at Butlin's Minehead back in the early 90's while looking through some old family photos

Monday, March 30, 2020

An old postcard from the Putting Green, Denton Gardens, Worthing

Minigolf was first played in Denton Gardens on Tuesday 1st July 1924.


You can still enjoy a round of miniature golf on the Splash Point Mini Golf course there.


Splash Point Mini Golf was the 181st played on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour.


Putting Green, Denton Gardens, Worthing. Photogravure by S. & E. Ltd., Hastings. Postally unused. Undated
Putting Green, Denton Gardens, Worthing. Photogravure by S. & E. Ltd., Hastings. Postally unused. Undated

Related blog posts:
A Putting Green postcard from Denton Park in Worthing
Splash Point Mini Golf
Worthing

An old Crazy Golf course at Alum Chine in Bournemouth

A look at an old minigolf course at Alum Chine in Bournemouth.


I bought a number of superb old postcards at the last fair I attended, one of them was this cracking old card showing a temporary / portable Crazy Golf course at Alum Chine, Bournemouth. It was printed by Deardon & Wade Bournemouth. It's postally unused and undated.


Postcard of Alum Chine, Bournemouth. Printed by Deardon & Wade Bournemouth.Postally unused. Undated
Postcard of Alum Chine, Bournemouth. Printed by Deardon & Wade Bournemouth.Postally unused. Undated

It's brilliant seeing old, long-gone miniature golf courses depicted on postcards. Portable and pop-up minigolf courses are very often seen as a modern thing. However there have been a number of seasonal set-ups at seaside locations over the years.



We were really looking forward to revisiting Bournemouth, Boscombe, Southbourne, Poole and Sandbanks next month. That trip is now postponed until next year.

Friday, February 21, 2020

An old postcard from Bournemouth's Lower Gardens minigolf course

A look at an old postcard showing Bournemouth's Lower Gardens minigolf course.


After writing about the old J. Arthur Dixon postcard showing the Mini-Golf course at the Lower Gardens in Bournemouth, Dorset I had a look through our collection to find the earliest posting date we had on a card of the course.


It was this one, posted 40 years ago this year!

Miniature Golf in Central Gardens, Bournemouth. Postcard by The Photographic Greetings Cards Co Ltd, London. Posted 24 July 1970
The 'Miniature Golf in Central Gardens, Bournemouth' postcard by The Photographic Greetings Cards Co Ltd, London was posted from Bournemouth to Cleveleys in Lancashire on the 24th July 1970

You can see what the Lower Gardens Mini Golf course looks like now on the course's Facebook Page.

We're looking forward to replaying the course later this year.

Thursday, February 20, 2020

A postcard from Rylstone Crazy Golf and Tea Gardens in Shanklin on the Isle of Wight

A look at an old postcard from the Rylstone Crazy Golf and Tea Gardens in Shanklin, Isle of Wight.


While browsing through the many boxes at the Stockport Postcard Fair we spotted this nice old postcard showing the Rylstone Crazy Golf course and Tea Gardens at Shanklin on the Isle of Wight.


Rylstone Crazy Golf and Tea Gardens, Shanklin, Isle of Wight. Jarrold Publishing, Norwich postcard CKIW 2309
Rylstone Crazy Golf and Tea Gardens, Shanklin, Isle of Wight. Jarrold Publishing, Norwich postcard CKIW 2309

The card is un-posted but has had the year 1999 written on the reverse. The photo on the card was taken a long time before then.


We visited the course on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour back in 2008. It was incredibly well signposted then, and still was on our return in 2016.

Rylstone Tea Gardens Crazy Golf course in Shanklin, Isle of Wight in 2016
Rylstone Tea Gardens Crazy Golf course in Shanklin, Isle of Wight in 2016

In 2008 the course still looked very much like it does on the postcard. However due to decades of wear and tear the base of the 'tables' meant that a new concrete layout had to be created to house the original obstacles.

Rylstone Tea Gardens Crazy Golf course in Shanklin, Isle of Wight in 2008
Rylstone Tea Gardens Crazy Golf course in Shanklin, Isle of Wight in 2008

Visit the Rylstone Tea Gardens & Crazy Golf course on Facebook for more info, opening times, events and prices.

It's the second copy of the postcard we've got as we received one in the post from the Isle of Wight itself after our friend Cat - aka WightHot on Twitter - found some in a charity shop on the island.

Wednesday, February 19, 2020

A mini-golf postcard from Bournemouth

A look at an old mini-golf postcard from Bournemouth.


One of the old postcards we found at the recent Stockport Postcard Fair was this J. Arthur Dixon card showing the Mini-Golf course at the Lower Gardens in Bournemouth, Dorset.


Mini-Golf at the Lower Gardens, Bournemouth, Dorset. J. Arthur Dixon postcard. PDO/89332 Posted August 1990
Mini-Golf at the Lower Gardens, Bournemouth, Dorset. J. Arthur Dixon postcard. PDO/89332 Posted August 1990

It was sent from Bournemouth to Uttoxeter, Staffordshire in August 1990.


It's one of a number of postcards we've got that show the Lower Gardens minigolf course. By the look of the card the photo is from at least the early 80's.

We'll be down in Dorset soon and are looking forward to replaying the course.

The Bournemouth Gardens Classic Mini Golf course in the Lower Gardens has been in the gardens for decades. It re-opened following a refurbishment a few years ago. We first visited in 2009 and returned in 2013. The Lower Gardens have been home to miniature golf courses since 1931 when the first Putting Green was introduced to the park.

Bournemouth Gardens Classic Mini Golf in the Lower Gardens
Minigolf at Bournemouth Lower Gardens

A Crazy Golf postcard from Sandbanks

A look at a long-gone Crazy Golf course in Sandbanks, Poole.


We found some brilliant old postcards at the recent Stockport Postcard Fair in the Town Hall.


One of which was this Dennis Publications postcard showing the Crazy Golf and Rockery in Sandbanks, Poole, Dorset.


Crazy Golf and Rockery, Sandbanks, Poole. P.2674 Dennis Productions Postcard. Postally used. Date unknown
Crazy Golf and Rockery, Sandbanks, Poole. P.2674 Dennis Productions Postcard. Postally used. Date unknown

The card was sent from Bournemouth to Winchester.

While that particular Crazy Golf course is no longer there, you can still play minigolf in Sandbanks on a much larger layout.

Sandbanks Crazy Golf is an fun and tricky 18-hole course. We've played tournaments there in the past.

Sandbanks Crazy Golf
Sandbanks Crazy Golf

Monday, February 03, 2020

A postcard from the Putting Green in Denton Gardens, Worthing

A look back at the Putting Green in Worthing's Denton Gardens.


Putting Green, Denton Park, Worthing - postcard. Unposted. Undated
A postcard showing the Putting Green, Denton Park, Worthing - it's unposted and undated


Minigolf was first played in Denton Gardens on Tuesday 1st July 1924.



You can still enjoy a round of miniature golf on the 18-hole Splash Point Mini Golf course there.

Splash Point Mini Golf was the 181st played on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour.

Related blog posts:
- Worthing
- Splash Point Mini Golf
- A Putting Green postcard from Denton Park in Worthing

Princess Parade North Shore postcards from Blackpool

A look back at some views of Blackpool.


As an avid collector of minigolf postcards it was brilliant to find these two views of the Princess Parade area of Blackpool.


One is an undated and unposted Bamforth card of the Crazy Golf course at the North Shore and is one of a number in my collection showing the layout.

Crazy Golf, North Shore, Blackpool. 50. Bamforth Post Card. Unposted. Undated
Crazy Golf, North Shore, Blackpool. 50. Bamforth Post Card. Unposted. Undated

The other is an undated and unposted Tuck's card and shows the area before it was home to the Crazy Golf!

Princess Parade, Looking North, Blackpool. Tuck's Post Card. Unposted. Undated
Princess Parade, Looking North, Blackpool. Tuck's Post Card. Unposted. Undated

Before finding these postcards yesterday I had 21 postcards showing the North Shore Crazy Golf course with ten different views. Some of the cards have been postally used, while others are unused.

I have another copy of the Bamforth card. That one is also postally unused, but has the words 'Visited 14th April 1979' are written on the reverse.

We've visited the Princess Parade Crazy Golf course a number of times over the years. But we've never had a proper full round on the layout as it's never been open.

The teams at Blackpool Fulfilling Lives and Blackpool and the Fylde Street Angels are working on a project to reopen the Princess Parade Crazy Golf course on Blackpool's North Shore. It'll be superb to play the updated course.

Related blog posts:
- Renovation of the North Shore Crazy Golf course in Blackpool
- Princess Parade Crazy Golf course update
- A Crazy Golf postcard from Blackpool

Wednesday, January 29, 2020

A Putting Green postcard from Denton Park in Worthing

A look at a Putting Green postcard from Denton Park in Worthing.


Earlier this week I found a very nice old postcard showing the Putting Green in Denton Park in Worthing. The card was never posted and is undated.


Putting Green, Denton Park, Worthing - postcard. Unposted. Undated
Putting Green, Denton Park, Worthing - postcard. Unposted. Undated

Minigolf was first played in Denton Gardens on Tuesday 1st July 1924. Since 2010 the area has been home to the excellent Splash Point Mini Golf course.


The first minigolf courses in Denton Gardens were of the grass Putting variety, when both sides of the lawn in the gardens were given over to miniature golf Putting courses.

I've got a few other postcards showing the Putting Green in Denton Gardens, but this is the first one I've got showing this particular angle of the course.