Five Minutes By The Sea At Clacton

The essence of a relaxed family holiday at Clacton, Essex in September 1950

Five (actually, nine) minutes capture the key moments of a family holiday in this amateur film. Clacton Pier amusements, speedboats seen through a telescope, bathing on the beach then ambling round town and gardens. Entertainments include roller skating, novelty cycles, the Rambla concert party, and the Carnival parade as well as Butlin's camp. There's a rainy day with rough sea, a visit to Brightlingsea Harbour and a drive around the picturesque bungalows of Jaywick.

After World War I, the pier at Clacton was developed by Ernest Kingsman to be the biggest pleasure pier in the country, known as 'No. 1 North Sea', with a range of attractions including theatres, dance hall, casino, open-air swimming pool and the 'Steel Stella' roller coaster. The Butlin's Luxury Holiday Camp at Clacton opened in 1938, closed during World War II, but re-opened for holidaymakers in 1946.