Skegness

Skegness Centenary Celebrations

What promises to be a centenary year pack with thrills, spills and celebrations kicked of on Wednesday last with a triple 100th Birthday Celebration.
The Jolly Fisherman, mascot of Skegness created by artist, John Hassall in 1908 and the Skegness Silver Band gathered for a Grand Party hosted by the Skegness Infants School which is also celebrating its 100th anniversary.

New Head for Jolly Fisherman

The Mayor and Mayoress of Skegness, Coun Ken Milner and Mrs Deborah Milner, along with the Town Clerk, Mr Tony Cumberworth, Town Councillors and East Lindsey District Council’s James Gilbert joined the Headmistress and Children of the School in a mass chant for “Jolly, Jolly” until he made his first appearance ever with his new head.

Pictures by Paul Gooch

Jolly’s 100th Birthday Cards

The children sang songs and chanted poems which they had written especially for our Jolly Fisherman and presented him with 100th birthday cards which they had made. More cards were exchanged when the Mayor of Skegness also presented him with a card and the Skegness Silver Band, in turn, received one from the school.

Jolly Fisherman’s Centenary Cake

What 100th birthday would be complete without a birthday cake and candles? The school brought in a cake decorated with a picture of Jolly Fisherman and seven huge, red candles. Jolly closed his eyes to make a birthday wish and blew out his candles with the help of thew Headmistress and the Children. The Skegness Silver Band played “Happy Birthday to You” and the children sang along delightedly.

Skegness Civic Society

The Chairman of the Skegness Civic Society, Coun Steve Kirk presented the school with a limited edition mirror which was engraved with a picture of the Jolly Fisherman and “Skegness Centenary 1908-2008. Coun Kirk told the children that only 100 had been made. He wished the school success for the next 100 years.

Picture by Paul Gooch

Centenary Plaque

The Skegness Infant School presented Jolly with a plaque which is to be placed on the Jolly Fisherman Statue in Compass Gardens.

The celebrations ended with the Skegness Silver Band playing the “Lincolnshire Poacher”, conducted by The Jolly Fisherman himself!

more photos of the Skegness Centenary Celebrations