Skegness Magazine

Here is an excerpt from a 1936 issue of the Skegness News which covered the story of John Hassall’s first visit to Skegness. Hassall joined a party at the County Hotel where he sketched the Mrs Jolly Fisherman character.

Well, yes, we’ve already covered that! But look what we’ve discovered! Look at the date of the “Morning Leader” from which the Chairman read a reference to the Jolly Fisherman – it’s May 4th, 1907!

So how come 1907 when the character’s official birthday is 1908?

Looks like we’ve a little more investigating to do!

JOLLY FISHERMAN’S MATE.
The assembly were given a genuine thrill when Mr. Hassall agreed to do two charcoal sketches there and then, and when in the course of a few minutes he produced in front of their eyes a jovial “mate” to the Jolly Fisherman, and a Red Indian, the gifted artist was cheered to, the echo.
The Chairman read a reference to the Jolly Fisherman which appeared in the “‘Morning Leader” of May 4th, 1907, and paid a tribute to the pioneer work of Mr. George F. Ball, the secretary of the original Publicity Committee, and Mr. A. E. Barlow, the present Publicity Manager.

The civic guests were then conducted on a tour of the Foreshore attractions by Mr. R. H. Jenkins, the designer. They also
visited both the Seacroft and North Shore Golf Courses.

And here is the original newspaper cutting:

Hassall draws a wife for the Skegness Jolly Fisherman.