Skegness Magazine

Skegness townsfolk, during the Great War, were desperate to dispel rumours circulating around the Mildlands, that Skegness was mass-invaded by Zeppelins, as the unfounded tales were affecting local businesses. Here are a few of the letters sent to various newspapers in 1915.

Rumour and Humour

Sir, Regarding a paragraph re Zeppelins and Skegness, which I noticed in a London daily last week. I do not know who is responsible for such contributions, but to my mind the old song to the effect that ” ‘e ain’t much money an’ ‘e ain’t much sense,” seems to particularly apply. In the event of the above being in error, the contributer is certainly a traitor to the town and community, and if his name be known he stands a good chance of suffering at the hands of those whose interests he is so cruelly working against. The town is faced with a bad season as it is, and the name of “Zeppelin” only needs to be linked with “Skegness” in order – to use vulgar parlance – “to put the lid on.”
I am, Sir, “A Visitor” Derby

Skegness and Zeppelins

To the Editor of the News

Sir, – I and many others of my aquaintance have NOT seen anything like a Zeppelin at Skegness (or near it), so do not expect anything for this information. However, I hear on good authority that a certain tradesman in the Lumley Road sent information to the “Daily Mail” regarding a Zeppelin being seen in the vicinity of Skegness.

If the person in question really did send the information I believe he benefits financially to the extent of 2s 6d. What shall it profit him if he is responsible for creating more distress and helping to drive visitors away from our peacefull and sunny shores.
With intense disgust for such people,
I am, Sir, etc., “SOX”

Mr Canning’s Characteristic Letter to Midland Newspaper

Tribute to the Veracity of the Piermaster

The following letter, addressed to the Editor of the “Nottingham Guardian” appeared in last Friday’s issue. Its breezy and humorous nature, which is quite characteriscic of the writer, is calculated to scotch certain rumours in far more effective a manner than an epistle of the more orthodox style, and Mr Canning deserves the thanks of the town for drawing the attention of Midland people to the normal conditions now prevailing at Skegness in such an effective manner.

Dame Rumour in the Midlands

Sir, – May I solicit the aid of your esteemed journal to help dispel some of the unfounded rumours concerning Skegness which appear to have extensive circulation in the Midlands, from which our town receives so much of its patronage.
The other day I met two young ladies from Nottingham, and they said “Don’t you think we are very brave coming to Skegness?” They seemed to think themselves entitled to the Victoria Cross for valour, and upon hearing their reasons I was not surprised. They told me that it was largely reported that Skegness was practically in ruins from bombardment by sea and air, the clock tower was destroyed, the pier demolished and the pier master killed. Also that the town was full of soldiers who had dug up the whole of the parades for trenches, and that Zeppelins visited us every night. Now, as such rumours are calculated to seriously affect the season’s business, let me say at the outset that there is not a vestige of truth in these and all or any similar reports. The only person I heard of who had seen a Zeppelin was drunk and sees them regularly. Regarding the clock tower, much as I would like to know that this obstruction had been removed, “a taste exact for faultless fact” compels me to affirm that it still standeth where it stood. The pier likewise is intact, and only today the piermaster informed me that the report as to his having been killed is a baseless fabrication, and having known him for many years I see no reason why I should disbelieve him. He has never deceived me before.
The tales about the trenches on the parades are equally false, unless they refer to last year’s cart ruts, which have now been made up and the whole parade knotted, stopped, and primed in readiness for its usual coat of tar spraying.
Whatever may be true of towns much further away, “the plague hath not come nigh unto us.”

Bathing is carried on as usual, and the boarding-house proprietors, having donned their summer attire, are wondering at the hesitancy of the usual visitors, and now we find that it is on account of rumours like the above-mentioned, and that people are contemplating taking their holidays in country and wood. How absurd. They would only have come here afterwards to get better. Fancy going to the woods when the invigorating breezes and seaside air are available on the same terms as of yore.

I hope the publication of this note, for which in anticipation I thank you, may have the effect of removingt misapprehension regarding Skegness. I guarantee the truth of my letter and those who feel inclined to doubt may search me – or sue me for damages, a la Mark Twain.
I am, Sir, etc.,
John Henry Canning
June 23rd, 1915

Source: Skegness, Mablethorpe and Alford News 1915