I have a very vague memory of visiting the outskirts of the old Pontins holiday resort, just outside Morecambe. It's just a distant memory of visiting a pub that Jim Bowen owned at the time.He used to visit the social club I was a member of and we trecked out there one weekend to support it. I can't remember if Pontins was still open as a resort then, probably not, and I've never actually been in it but I found these pictures at Level 2 strangely moving. If you click "gallery" after the article there are a lot of pictures of the derelict site. This building, that looks like a ship, has been totally demolished. What a little gem, gone forever.
Glad you liked the photos! Yes, Middleton Towers was certainly in a poor state when I visited. I don't know what's left now, but when I went the ship had gone unfortunately. It's strange to think so many people had holidays there, and then it got closed and left to rot.
Posted by: Level 2 | July 02, 2007 at 12:37 AM
iworked as a kitchen porter at middleton tower summer 1981 i hhve some great memorys and met some great people
Posted by: ian gillies | August 20, 2008 at 12:59 PM
Hi Ian, I have a feeling I know Potins, please email back
Posted by: Ansy | December 06, 2008 at 01:51 AM
i worked as a kp as well but much later i think about 91
miss it
Posted by: ian standing | January 10, 2009 at 10:05 PM
i went to pontins when i was just a wee girl in the eighties and have many fond memories and am saddened to see what it has come to .i have been abroad and can say my best holiday memories were at pontins at morecambe. hopefully someone buys it at gives it the makeover it deserves.
Posted by: gabby | January 12, 2009 at 07:33 PM
Does anyone know what happened to the Gorilla that was situated outside Middleton Towers?, My mum, brother and me had our picture taken in and around 1956 with it. would love to know what happened to it.
Posted by: Philip Grundy | January 31, 2009 at 02:26 PM
i went to pontins middleton a few times when i was about 13 yrs old about 1985-88 i had my first kiss,we knew how to get free music on the duke box,it was fantastic-some of my best holiday memories,so sad it has closed would of loved to take my children!
Posted by: lisa taylor | May 10, 2009 at 10:28 PM
Iworked as a blue coat in about 1980 I was known as MAD MAX, it was a great time. Robert Towel, Marrie Phillips, Joss Jones, Bradley Walsh, Mike, Dave and Wally, does anyone know where these folks are now, Iwould love to hear from them
Posted by: max | May 13, 2009 at 12:26 AM
I have a photo of myself at age two taken outside the "ship" in 1963 - it was called SS Berengaria! I went to see the remains of the camp a few years ago - such a sad sight, so I'm not surprised to hear that it's been demolished now.
Posted by: Christina | May 22, 2009 at 08:55 PM
i think this is were they done holiday on the buses what a film
Posted by: paul | June 05, 2009 at 12:51 PM
i went on holiday to pontins in1967 with dave connett.mike collins. bernard mathews . my name is john coffey. great place the ballroom with a full orchestra ,the caberet bar with the NOBODYS, wrestling on a wednesday afternoon so much going on all the time, fabulous place but memories as a child aged,about seven renting a bike , sitting outside the village pub with an orange juice and apacket of crisps,queing out side the dining rooms for brekfast dinner and tea .the inter house contest named after cigerettes ours was EMBASSY . then with my mother and father my wife and our 3 children.
Posted by: JOHN COFFEY | June 21, 2009 at 05:29 PM
hi max i worked at middleton tower 1981 i have a feeling that u were there at that time if it is u then u will remember me puting a fruit basket filled with shaving foam on your head at the last night of the season i worked as a kp i remember robert towel and big ken the blue coat i also remember ralph O'hanlon the catering manager also mick gibbs the head chef yours ian-g
Posted by: ian-g | June 21, 2009 at 11:18 PM
ps max my chalet was z block z62
Posted by: ian-g | June 21, 2009 at 11:23 PM
i was a bluecoat at pontins middleton towers in 1978 then became ents manager 1979 and 1980 it was a time i will not forget it launched me onto better things paul best
Posted by: paul best | July 13, 2009 at 01:37 PM
Hi I would like to update you all about Middleton Towers, Morecambe. My name is Pam Hey and I am sales and marketing Manager for Coast Developments - Middleton Towers, I am pleased to tell
, you is being transformed into a retirement village complete with leisure facilities, tennis court and bowling green. We have over 40 occupiers now and when the 1st 2 phases are complete there will be 208 properties (bungalows and apartments). visit our website for a brochure www.middletontowers.co.uk
or telephone 01524 855309
Posted by: pam hey | August 05, 2009 at 04:06 PM
hi i worked at middleton towers in 1988 in ss berengaria. i worked in the wheelhouse bar then got moved to the ballroom as assistant supervisor.would love to hear off my old workmates there especially donna and caroline. wot a good time we had!lol loved it.lots of good memories.x
Posted by: michelle mcgowan | August 18, 2009 at 12:29 AM
Hi
I went to middleton for years and years back in late 80's of all my holidays I have some great memories of it and the people. Ian and Paul were great and have lots of photos to go along with those memories
sharon
Posted by: sharon y | August 18, 2009 at 10:35 PM
hi would anybody know who took the studio photos back in the 50,s at the camp please. i know its a long shot but im tryin to find all photos of my family then to take over to oz when visiting.
Posted by: gail r. | September 07, 2009 at 08:26 PM
hi would anybody know who took the studio photos back in the 50,s at the camp please. i know its a long shot but im tryin to find all photos of my family then to take over to oz when visiting.
Posted by: gail r. | September 07, 2009 at 08:27 PM
You all seemed to really have a good time at Pontins. Since it has been demolished I have no chance of visiting the place. So I guess, all I am left with is to read all your marvelous holiday stories.
By the way thank you for sharing your experience with me at this stunning holiday getaway.
Posted by: Brisbane Marriot | September 23, 2009 at 02:04 PM
You all seemed to really have a good time at Pontins. Since it has been demolished I have no chance of visiting the place. So I guess, all I am left with is to read all your marvelous holiday stories.
By the way thank you for sharing your experience at this stunning holiday getaway with me.
Posted by: Brisbane Marriot | September 23, 2009 at 02:07 PM
Hi, I went to Pontins either 1957 or8, my name was Pat Bamber, and it was my first holiday away, and I met a lad from down south called Mick,I think he worked on the ships. I never thought I would end up living here, strange how life works out. (Memories)
Posted by: PAT Duncan | December 17, 2009 at 08:17 PM
I was never at Middleton Towers or Heysham Towers but love all the history of Morecambe Bay, if this is still live i WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK TO OPEOPLE FROM THE AREA, tHOMAS
Posted by: Thomas Diamond | January 25, 2010 at 08:05 PM
Thomas, there used to be an MSN group called I love Morecambe but not sure where it moved to when MSN cancelled groups. There is a facebook "we love Morecambe" group, http://www.facebook.com/group.php?v=wall&viewas=0&gid=8394367009.
Posted by: Fran | January 26, 2010 at 02:39 PM
Ian - I was known as 'MOTHER' in that season. I played keyboards in the pontinental - cathy was the alcoholic cook in the nursery ( but a lovely caring person) George in the stores was my husband, we had a caravan on greendales, and eventually took over the club and lived upstairs for 2 years after! NICE MEMORIES!
Posted by: annehaswell@btinternet.com | February 21, 2010 at 01:01 AM