Skegness Magazine

New Poster Figure “Jolly Fisherman being rested”

THE famous Jolly Fisherman of Skegness has a great-grandson! This bouncing youngster is to edge “Granddad” out of the picture in 1959, according to a decision of the Skegness Publicity Committee on next year’s advertising plans, confirmed by the Coun on Wednesday.
But the Jolly Fisherman himself, now a well-established figure and loyal servant—he celebrated his jubilee this year—is to go into only semi-retirement.
The Foreshore Director, Mr. Willan G. Bosworth, gave this reassurance when one or two members of the Council murmured “Oh! ” at hearing that the famous figure was apparently to be supplanted.
“We have no intention of forsaking the Jolly Fisherman, who is forever bound up with the advertising plans for Britain’s most bracing resort,” he promised.
The idea of the new design, he went on, was a reiteration of the link between British Railways and Skegness. For 50 years extensive use had been made of the rubicund figure of the Jolly Fisherman, bounding along the beach with such jovial energy.

TIME FOR CHANGE
The original had been sold by the late John Hassall to the Great Northern Railway, and was first used at Easter, 1908, to advertise half-day excursions (at 3s. return) from King’s Cross to Skegness.
But now British Railways had decided it was time for a change.

January 1959