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What’s this … Jolly Fisherman in the tropics ?

MR PETER Ibbotson, of Bromley, Kent, received an unusual New Year’s card in 1973 from Mauritius, in the Indian Ocean. It showed the familiar figure of the Skegness Jolly Fisherman skipping along a beach with a yacht on the sea, a palm tree growing in the sand and distant cliffs.

The wording was “Mauritius is SO bracing.”

The card was reproduced in Friday’s editions of “The Times ” with this comment: “It is based on a well-established publicity poster for Skegness, except that a palm tree has been added on the right for extra authenticity.
Mr Ibbotson points out that the fat sailor is certainly over-dressed for Mauritius, which may or may not be bracing but is certainly very hot. Possibly trying to lose weight.”

On Friday the Skegness Publicity Manager, Mr Cairns Boston, said perhaps Skegness ought to invite
the Mauritius publicity officer to come and sample our bracing air.
He also suggested that the new district council covering Skegness might `twin’ itself with Mauritius.

What we say… Skegness twinned with Mauritius? Yes, we can see the similarities…

The poster is our own illustration just for fun - not the one referred to in the story.

news story date 29th July 2006

Skegness Pier celebrated its 125th anniversary today. And what an absolutely fabulous day it was!

Built in 1881, the pier was reduced to its present length by storms and flood in 1978. Over half a million pounds has been spent on refurbishing the pier by its present owners. It’s one of the leading entertainment centres in Great Britain, having over one million visitors each year.

The Mayor of Skegness, Coun Phil Kemp, officially opened the newly refurbished pier on its 125th anniversary. Coun Kemp said that he was a little disappointed that he wasn’t asked to open the pier originally, but he was pleased to be there today. He said everyone was sorry that the scheduled fly past of the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight Spitfire fighter plane had to be canceled due to adverse weather conditions at RAF Coningsby.

The Mayor is pictured below with his wife, Lynda Kemp, Mayoress of Skegness, Billy Brewer, mascot of Batemans Beer, Dino the Dinosaur, mascot of Skegness Pier and Salty the Seal, mascot of the Skegness Standard newspaper.

After the official reopening, hundreds of spectators were treated to a dancing show by the Slovakian Appalachian Clog Dancers.

photos below:Dino the Dinosaur, the mascot of Skegness Pier, Salty the Seal, the Jolly Fisherman, mascot of Skegness, Billy Brewer and other cuddly mascots.

Children were mesmerized by a Magic Show and Punch & Judy.

One of the big highlights of the day was the Skuttle Race across the Pier by the various Mascots:

Under starters orders, they all line up ready for the race.

3…2…1…and they’re OFF!

Penguin won the race.

Jolly Fisherman, in pure, unhurried English Gentlemanly style, walked unruffled to the finishing line.

Elephant? well poor Elephant was last!

below: Beve’s Dancers entertaining the crowds

Fran (waving) and son, Jack were having a wonderful time….

…and so were the crowds!

Videos below: the official opening by the Mayor of Skegness and the Skuttle Race and the fabulous Slovakian Appalachian Clog Dancers.

The Skegness Jolly Fisherman got the brush-off by ITV’s Richard and Judy when he applied for spruce-up by the Good Morning Make-over Team in 1999. Judging by our photo of Jolly taken around the same time, he would have been a very deseving candidate!

Let’s have a look at what the papers say…

Jolly has a bad hair day
LIFE was no so jolly for one of the region’s most popular characters today.
For the mascot of Skegness, Lincolnshire, The Jolly Fisherman, has suffered a huge snub in his bid to give himself a new lease of life.
Jolly, who will be 92 next birthday, wrote to the makers of ITV’s ‘This Morning,’ hoping to secure a makeover.
But the makeover team at Good Morning have turned him down.
They have written back to say his letter has been placed on file in case of a future vacancy, but they were unable to fulfil his request at the present time.
Distraught
Publicity manager at East Lindsey Distict Council Keith Morrison said Jolly was distraught when he received the letter.
“He has long admired Richard and Judy, especially Richard’s snappy fashions,” he said.
“Jolly had felt that a Millennium fling with fashion was in order to better show off his athletic frame,” said Mr Morrison.
“We’ll keep writing, ever hopeful.”

Our picture of the Skegness Jolly Fisherman was taken in 2002 by local press photographer, Paul Gooch.

August 1999

THE 100th birthday of Skegness Clock Tower began in grand style last week, as Grand Parade was treated to an afternoon of poetry, drama, song, and the unveiling of a Millennium Countdown Clock.
The fully illuminated clock is designed in the shape of the Jolly Fisherman, and counts down the amount of days to go to the millennium.

The ceremony began in the Compass Gardens when a play entitled Clocked Tower was performed by members of Act Aware Youth Theatre and Ex-L stage company.
It was specially written for the occasion by local playwright and Standard photographer Micheal Cooper, and, with a mixture of song, dance, music and poetry told the story of the last 100 years from the perspective of the tower.

It was clearly a hit with the crowd, with one member of the audience telling Mr Cooper: “All the happy memories came flooding back. It brought tears to my eyes”.
Fantastic
Following the play, East Lindsey District Council chairman, Coun Fiona Martin, told those present: “I’d just like to say what a fantastic performance that was and how fitting that on this Skegness occasion it was presented by local people.”
She then presented producer Jez Beckett and writer Micheal Cooper with special mini glass Clock Tower clocks and presented all the children from Act Aware and Ex-L who took part with special Jolly Fisherman goody bags. She concluded by thanking the carnival committee, saying: “The carnival committee put a great deal of time and energy into making Skegness carnival week one of the best in the country.”
The action then moved to the Clock Tower, where Coun Martin again made a small speech before unveiling the Millennium Clock and commemorative stone.
“In 100 years’ time, I should like to think that my contemporary (in case I’m not around by then!) will be repeating this procedure and looking back over another 100 successful Skegness years,” she said.
She then unveiled the commemorative stone, and presented Skegness Mayor Coun Sheila MacKenzie with a Jolly Fisherman mini glass clock, and, with the aid of the mayor, unveiled the Millennium Clock.
Picture left: Skegness Town Mayor Coun Sheila MacKenzie and chairman of ELDC Coun Fiona Martin with the Jolly Fisherman at the launch of the Millennium Countdown Clock at the Clock Tower.

Picture right: The unveiling of Skegness Clock Tower in August 1899.

Bateman’s brewery launched a range of Jolly Fisherman beers to celebrate Jolly’s 90th birthday in 1998.

A DIALOGUE between East Lindsey District Council’s tourism chiefs and Batemans Brewery of Wainfleet has prompted them to use Skegness’ Jolly Fisherman to launch a whole new range of ales.

Called Jolly’s Jaunts, they are being produced in time to celebrate the Jolly Fisherman logo’s 90th anniversary — at monthly intervals for a whole year.
The famous family brewers, established in 1874, have taken the Jolly Fisherman and adapted him to each month and its traditional themes. Starting with Jolly’s Resolution for the New Year, Batemans have come up with the perfect way to break any resolutions on the theme of temperance.
February’s offering, to celebrate St Valentine’s Day, Jolly’s Horny Devil, is guaranteed to put the fire where it matters most.
March is the month for Five Nations Rugby, when Jolly can be seen in full rugby strip for Jolly’s Rugby Special.
April’s brew sees Jolly Juggling Easter Eggs to launch Jolly’s Easter Feaster.
May sees the launch of Jolly’s May Day, May Day — and the lifeboat, if the logo is anything to go by.
June, World Cup month, brings Jolly’s Three Lions in this logo, Jolly plays football with the lions. Wimbledon fortnight can be celebrated throughout July with Jolly’s Deuce. He can be seen in this logo looking remarkably fetching in his tennis whites.
In August, Jolly is back in his natural element, the sea, as he rides the surf for Jolly’s Shoot the Loop.
For September, harvest festival time, Jolly takes up his reaping hook for Jolly’s Frolicking Reaper.
And Hallowe’en has Jolly in mischief-making mode for Jolly’s Trick or Treat. Bonfire night has Jolly all lit up with Jolly’s Rocket.
In December, Jolly is full of Christmas jollity and ready to party with Jolly’s Yuletide Bash.
This range of beers varies in strength from four per cent to four point four per cent proof. They have been given such descriptions as “crisp, charismatic and quaffable”, “lucid, luscious and lubricating,” and “grainy, grisly and gratifying”.
Managing director, Mr Stuart Bateman, said: “The reaction that we have had so far to this concept has been absolutely phenomenal.” The holders of many national beer awards, including Supreme Champion Beer of the Year, and five times Premium Beer of the Year, Batemans have also gained the Mild of the Year award with their Dark Mild.

Photos: Jolly’s Jaunts and Jolly’s Follies Bateman’s Beer.

(Ooops! Sorry about the flash flare on the last pic - I was on our works Christmas party when I snapped it!)

Batemans Family History