Skegness Magazine

Research by Angela Gooch skegnesshistory.com

What’s this … Jolly Fisherman in the tropics ?

MR PETER Ibbotson, of Bromley, Kent, received an unusual New Year’s card in 1973 from Mauritius, in the Indian Ocean. It showed the familiar figure of the Skegness Jolly Fisherman skipping along a beach with a yacht on the sea, a palm tree growing in the sand and distant cliffs.

The wording was “Mauritius is SO bracing.”

The card was reproduced in Friday’s editions of “The Times ” with this comment: “It is based on a well-established publicity poster for Skegness, except that a palm tree has been added on the right for extra authenticity.
Mr Ibbotson points out that the fat sailor is certainly over-dressed for Mauritius, which may or may not be bracing but is certainly very hot. Possibly trying to lose weight.”
On Friday the Skegness Publicity Manager, Mr Cairns Boston, said perhaps Skegness ought to invite the Mauritius publicity officer to come and sample our bracing air.
He also suggested that the new district council covering Skegness might `twin’ itself with Mauritius.

Skegness twinned with Mauritius? Yes, we can see the similarities…

The poster is our own illustration just for fun – not the one referred to in the story.

If you use any of the information contained in this website please credit the research to Angela Gooch skegnesshistory.com