Pontin's History Gallery & Forum. Keeping Pontins' memories alive!

It's April 2010 and we have recently bought a caravan in North Wales. We cycle the coastal cycleway three or four times a week. Decided to go down to Prestatyn. Had a look in at Prestatyn Sands just outside the main gate. Got chatting to Security staff and they invited us in to have a cycle round. First time through those gates for nearly 31 years!

So what does it look like? Well, despite all the negative Press it was a lovely day, the place looked well maintained and bright and cheerful with loads of children really enjoying themselves. I saw my old staff chalet from 1977/1978, and the one we shared in 1979. Staff canteen now looks like a laundry. There is a pub on the side of what was The Clwyd Cabaret Club (I seem to remember a shop being there). Most chalets are double glazed now. The Grand Hotel is gone off the front and a new Hotel built there now not owned by Pontins I believe.

What struck us most though is how small the whole place looked. My memory of the 70s always pictured it as being huge - but obviously not by today's standards.

According to Security Staff there are no musicians, resident kids entertainers etc. employed on site now. All work is done by Bluecoats. So, not a place we'd stop at now after years of world travel etc., but it looked ok. Certainly didn't look the nightmare some would have us believe.