Skegness Magazine

MANAGED SUN CASTLE
Skegness Business Lady Dies In Hospital
MRS. Agnes Jane Hanson, who was for almost twenty years manageress of Skegness’s Sun Castle, died in Skegness and District Hospital on Wednesday, after a lengthy illness. She was aged 67 years.
Glowing tributes to her work at the Sun Castle were paid by members of Skegness U.D.C. when she retired two years ago.
They presented her with life membership of the building, and said of her: “Mrs. Hanson has devoted her life to the Sun Castle and the town owes her a deep debt of gratitude for all she has done in her capacity as manageress.”
It was on June 1st, 1933, that Mrs Hanson took over her duties and from then until her retirement in 1951 she never relaxed in her efforts to make the Castle one of the most comfortable and attractive amenities on the Foreshore. Its present good reputation is due largely to her work in the early days.

A London theatre’s trade mark, “We never closed,” might well be applied to the Sun Castle, for throughout the war Mrs. Hanson had the place open for the entertainment of troops stationed locally. Whist drives and dances—she organised countless numbers of them.

OLD-TIME DANCER.
Just after the war she was supervising many buffets in the town in addition to the Sun Castle—those at the Bathing Pool, Boating Lake, Princes Parade and Lawn Car Park.
When she retired she settled down to a quiet life at her home in Castleton Boulevard, but still maintained her interest in the Sun Castle.
She was an officer of the Sun Castle Olde Tyme Dance Club. Her husband died many years ago. Two daughters survive—Mrs. Maisie Markham, Lettwell Crescent and Mrs. Dorothy Summers, Orby.
There are two grandchildren.

The service was held at St. Clement’s Church on Saturday, followed by cremation at Nottingham on Monday, conducted by the Rev. John Hanson (a distant relative of deceased).

Mourners included : Mr. and Mrs. Markham, Mr. and Mrs. Summers (sons-in-law and daughters), Mr. R. Forth, Crowland, Mr. J. Forth and family. Wrangle (brothers). Mr. and Mrs. Peacock, Lincoln (nephew and niece), Mrs. Goodson, Derby, Mrs. French, Market Harbrough: Mrs. W. Bellamy, Mr. and Mrs. C. Innes. Mr. and Mrs. J. Davis, Mrs. H. Cox, Mrs. Appleyard, Mr. Parker, Mrs. Scroggins, Mrs. Turner, Miss Odell, Mr. Percy Shaw.
Also present were members of Skegness N.A.L.G.O., Sun Castle Old  Dance Club and Sun Castle staff. Undertakers were Messrs F. Wood and Sons.

Source: Skegness Standard 15th April 1953

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