THE former entertainments manager shared his memories of the Barry Butlins camp as Redcoats commemorated its 50th anniversary at Barry Island on Saturday, June 18.

David Simpson who, aged 91, is the oldest living ex-Redcoat joined his wife and former Redcoat chief hostess Tina Simpson, 73, at the eastern promenade commemorative plaque.

The celebration was organised by former Redcoat Steuart Kingsley-Inness who raised a champagne toast to Sir Billy Butlin and the Barry camp.

Former chief redcoat David 'Tony' Collier, spoke of absent friends, both alive and dead, who had worked there over the years.

Great-grandfather, Mr Simpson, of High Street, Barry, was the camp’s compere and producer when it opened in 1966 and became the entertainments manager in 1969.

He worked for Geest for five years until returning to the camp in 1974 as entertainments manager until it closed in 1986.

He said: “To me it was my life. Billy Butlin made his first holidays the cost of a working man’s salary. It was about £3.10.

The idea of the red blazer was again outstanding – it was the brightest colour. Having a Butlins in Barry was important to him.

The Barry camp was built with Colonel Brown who was also the joint director of entertainment. He met Billy Butlin while he was with the army in Italy.”

Mr Simpson admitted he was a hard task master – always ensuring he and pregnant wife Tina were present when the Redcoats opened the first breakfast service for up to 6,000 campers.

They performed their Redcoat roles from early in the morning to gone midnight all season. They also welcomed Beachcomber bar patrons – a Caribbean themed facility with a river flowing through – until it burned down.

Mr Simpson said: “To me Barry is one of the marvels of the world – it didn’t exist 125 years ago. I just have very happy memories. It was the best job in the world.”

A small reception was later held at Marco’s café when owner Marco Zeraschi was presented with a silver plate in gratitude for his support of the group's activities in the past.

Among friends attending were former Vale mayor, Cllr Howard Hamilton and his wife Carol who originally unveiled the plaque.

Curator of the online Barry Historical Group, Mike Heffernan who had worked on the camp also attended with the Simpsons as guests of honour.