Clacton Pier (The history)

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Postby Chief Engineer » 14 Sep 2010, 23:27

With the outbreak of WW2 the Pier not only suffered damage from a floating mine but also the removal of the 'Crystal Casino' along with Clown Bertram's theatre at the head of the Pier. It was not until the first post-war season in the summer of 1945 that Clown Bertram performed in front of 1,200 children at an Ocean Theatre matinee.

As you can see from the notes on the reverse of the photograph even during the war years the show still went on, The children from 'The Eldon Road Infants School' London are being entertained by Clown Bertram, with the funds being provide from Canada through the Lord Mayor's fund for bombed out areas.

CE
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Postby furie » 15 Sep 2010, 09:49

Sorry to break this up, but I feel it's disheartening if you feel nobody cares about what you're posting, and the effort you're putting in. :)

I've ready every last page of this, and it's utterly, utterly fascinating. Such a brilliant set of photos and history coming out, and I just needed to say thank you so much for making the effort.

I may not reply to individual parts, but they are read, absorbed and thoroughly enjoyed. So please, please, please keep on posting these photos and tidbits.

Many, many thanks indeed! :)
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Packed!!!!

Postby DolphinBoy » 15 Sep 2010, 10:43

Thanks CE for the truly fantasic photos and info, I cannot believe how packed the pier was back then, the queues for the shows were impressive, just a shame the culture has changed now with kids wanting to be stuck in front of xbox's instead of live entertainment nowadays.
If this culture does change in the future than lets hope we start getting some shows on the pier.
I think its fasinating the local figures in Clacton, good that they are now being remembered and appreciated.
DB
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Postby Chief Engineer » 15 Sep 2010, 22:48

Thank you very much for your kind words, I am just as captivated by the images and their content as you all. By the number of daily reads the thread is achieving, there are a few others who are finding the history of Clacton Pier just as fascinating as myself. I can only thank once again Peter Kingsman who has kindly entrusted me to make the photographs his Grandfather and Father either took or had taken of the snippets of Pier life available for all to enjoy.

Each of the photographs has a story tucked away in the image, some have a snippet of information or maybe a date pencilled on the back and with a little bit of investigation the photograph opens its pages and the words spill out.

I still have quite a way to go yet not only with Peter's contributions but other photographs, documents, blue prints, theatre programs and press clippings etc. that will hopefully fill in a lot more of the daily life on the Pier.

CE
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Postby Chief Engineer » 15 Sep 2010, 23:09

Of course we should not forget that most entertainers have an unpaid assistant. Clown Bertram's wife, Ruby Harvey or probably better known as 'Auntie Ruby' used to provide the musical accompaniment.

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Postby FATBOY » 16 Sep 2010, 20:40

im also very greatful for the input that CE has made to this wonderful thread... :D interesting seeing in that press clipping about what happened to bertram the clown, and also interesting about what this TV programme on BBC1 was about????
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Postby Chief Engineer » 16 Sep 2010, 22:37

Here are a few more press clippings dated 1951, unfortunately two years later Clown Bertram passed away with his funeral service being held in Ipswich, Suffolk, March 1953.

Clown Bertram did leave behind his theory on 'Entertaining the Modern Child' with the publication of a book, sadly I do not have a copy but as Dolphin Boy commented earlier "just a shame the culture has changed now with kids wanting to be stuck in front of xbox's instead of live entertainment nowadays." So probably not for to-days modern child.

CE
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Postby Chief Engineer » 18 Sep 2010, 22:22

With the Paddle Steamer Waverley due to berth at the Pier for its annual cruises soon (25 / 29 August and 4 / 5 / 10 September 2010) I thought it would be a good time to look back at some of the sea trips you could have taken aboard the 'Eagle Steamers' and others.

Not sure if the unknown paddle steamer in this rare footage managed to berth at Clacton in the rough seas. These days Health and Safety would prevent the ship even getting close to the Pier, but back then there was no other way back home if the ship failed to berth.

I have tried to identify the paddle ship but with no luck, from the layout of the life rings on the front to the two life rafts at the stern I don't think it will be too long before we know its name?

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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=68n39INFuv4

4/- return for a day of happy memories aboard the Laguna Belle seems very good value considering that 4/- around the1930's in your pocket today would be worth around £6.68 and a trip to see the Pop radio ships would only cost you six shillings, I wonder if old 'cardboard shoes' remembers seeing the passing steamers.

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Postby Chief Engineer » 20 Sep 2010, 21:41

Still at the berthing arm, here is a photograph of the 'Laguna Belle' of her alongside the shore side of the berthing arm, note the identical pennant on the Pier's flag pole to the one the ship is flying, possibly indicating to the Captain which side to berth.

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Postby Chief Engineer » 21 Sep 2010, 20:38

An early sighting of the 'ESSEX BLACK CAT'


When I asked Peter about these pictures he suggested that there might have been a tobacco connection, of course around the time of the picture c1935 the Carreras cigarette company were producing a brand of cigarettes called 'Black Cat' there was even a 'Black Cat Club'

Black Cat cigarettes were one of the earliest brands to use promotions to encourage sales, stamp albums and an early version of the football pools. 18th October 1913 was designated by the company as “Black Cat Day”. Advertised extensively in the national press, Black Cat salesmen could give a golden half-sovereign to anyone they approached in the street who could prove they were in possession of a Black Cat pack.

During the early 1920s enthusiasm for the Black Cat was at a peak, with many people wearing badges and stickers featuring the cat and even going to fancy dress parties in black cat costumes.

Sadly I could not find any connection or mention of the Black Cat on Clacton Pier having that tobacco connection.

CE
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Postby furie » 22 Sep 2010, 15:31

That's Dick Whittington surely?

3 Miles to London, and the "vagabond" with his sack over his shoulder in the last photo?

It wasn't for a pantomime or show on the pier was it?
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Postby Chief Engineer » 22 Sep 2010, 22:06

Hi furie,

The scenes in the photographs are certainly depicting Dick Whittington , but I have not been able to make any connection with the Pier apart from Peter Kingsman's recollection of it possibly having that tobacco connection.

I doubt the Kingsman's would have gone to such an expense for an advertisement for a show. The theatre programs I have for that era list all short performance musical or variety acts and a pantomime would have been a bit out of season.

The cat certainly pulled in the crowd, it has certainly become a mystery for me and I am certainly taking any ideas on board to help identify what was going on that day.

I am hoping the local newspaper archives at the library will unravel the mystery.
CE
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Postby Chief Engineer » 23 Sep 2010, 21:53

One of the highlights of the summer season for locals and holiday makers alike is of course carnival week. It was the Kingsman family who brought about the first pre runner to the carnival procession consisting of a parade of decorated motor cars as a fund raising event for Clacton Hospital in 1922.

The Pier also staged pageants along with a number of aquatic events.

Here are some photographs of an early pageant ending with a later one c1935/7.

CE
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Postby Chief Engineer » 24 Sep 2010, 18:41

1931 and as you can see in the pictures we have a ‘sports day’ in full swing.

From the title “Bertram’s Sports” on the first photograph I am surmising this event was organised as part of Clown Bertram’s day time entertainment for the family.

No soft landings in those days.

CE
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Postby Chief Engineer » 29 Sep 2010, 21:50

Time to tread the theatrical boards once again, although this time with its 'alfresco' performances even the Pier's decking boards occasionally provided the stage of entertainment in these shows.

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Firstly I must thank local Essex historian Bernard Polley who researched and compiled a fantastic booklet 'The Rambla's, the story of a seaside concert party' which not only gives a year by year history of the shows and its performers but Bernard has also given us a feeling of what it was like as an artist in a story told through the eyes of a fictional performer working in the show.

It is with great pleasure and thanks, that Bernard has given me permission to include extracts of his booklet to accompany the pictures and articles which I will be posting up.


In 1932 Mr. Kingsman built an outdoor stage at the end of the Pier for the staging of concert party style shows. Taking on the producer and entertainer Rex Deering, the 'Rambla's' was born.

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These first two photographs are undated, but from the building in the background R/H it dates the pictures between 1932/4 . The band on stage were called the 'Sunshine Revellers' either under the directorship of Ernest S. Heather in 1932; W.T. Badas in 1933 or Syd Chapman in 1934.

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The attentive audience in the last picture is from a locally produced post card, these post cards would be offered for sale to the audience as a little bit of extra income.
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