Skegness Magazine

This report from a 1932 Skegness newspaper will come as quite a shock to us in the twentyfirst century.
It documents the start of the building of the Suncastle in Skegness. The article tells us that ‘A large portion of this building will be a Solarium fitted with ultraviolet ray transmitting glass…..making it possible to aquire a sunburn even during dull weather’. It’s interesting that the word ’sunburn’ was used. Skin cancer was obviously not uppermost on the mind of society back in the 1930s.
Perhaps it’s not such a shock when you consider the availability of modern day beauty salons with their tanning cubicles.

This picture of the Skegness Sun Castle in the course of erection, was taken in May 1932.

The Sun Castle constitutes the central feature of the North Shore development and was expected to be completed by  Whitsuntide, 1932. The contractor was Mr E Coleman of East Kirkby, Notts.

AN ARTIFICIAL LIDO

Details of the new amenity have already appeared in this newspaper but the following excerpts from articles in the Skegness Pictoral the official guide to the resort for the current year will doubtless be of interest.

The total number of hours of bright sunshine enjoyed by six resorts during 1931 were: — Skegness, 1,545 ; Penzance, 1,529; Falmouth, 1,454; Torquay, 1,518; Bournemouth 1,494; Bognor I,531

It is not necessary to be a sun worshipper to appreciate the full value of the sun, with its well-known life-giving properties, and when an east cast town can boast such a large share of bright Skegness can, it naturally follows that facilities should be provided to enable visitors to make the best use of these rays.

The Sun Castle is mow in course of erection and it is expected to be completed by Whitsuntide, A large portion of this building will be a Solarium fitted with ultra violet ray transmitting glass, where patrons may reap the full benefit of the comfortable conditions. sunshine

More than that, is being done in this case. Skegness has on many occasions given evidence of its progressive spirit, and now the town is taking in hand a pioneer scheme as far as this country is concerned.

Electric fittings are being provided which will make it possible to flood the Solarium with ultra-violet rays similar in every way to the sun’s rays, so that, by continued use of this establishment, it be possible to acquire a sun-burn even during weather ther or at night time.

The temperature of the Solarium will be carefully regulated, whilst the ventilation  will be enured, so that those bathing in the sun will have every comfort.

The senses will be soothed by the orchestra and light refreshments will be available. In the same building, provision will be made for the playing of games or reading and writing may be indulged.

Surely, with such provision, there will be no need to go to the expense of “folllowing the sun” by journeying to the Riviara, and those who favour Skegness as their holiday resort will have all these advantages within their reach.

This new venture makes possible some thing else which may sound even more startling. Why not have winter resort on the East Coast located at Skegness?

With the Solarium available, visitors will have a rendezvous where they may be assured ecery comfort while the number of corpuscles in the blood are being incresed by the artifical and natural sunlight rays; thus acquiring greater immunity from disease, and gaining in vitality.

May 1932