Redcoats is the name given to the entertainment staff at Butlins holiday camps. Butlins current logo Butlins Holiday Camps were founded by (later Sir) Billy Butlin to provide economical holidays in the United Kingdom and Ireland. ... Holiday camp, in Britain, generally refers to a resort with a boundary that includes accommodation, entertainment and other facilities. ...

Redcoat on the skyline pavillion stage

Image File history File links Download high-resolution version (2272x1704, 513 KB) Image: Redcoat (Butlins) Photograph taken shortly after the uniform was redesigned in 2006. ... Image File history File links Download high-resolution version (2272x1704, 513 KB) Image: Redcoat (Butlins) Photograph taken shortly after the uniform was redesigned in 2006. ...

Uniform

When Billy Butlin opened his first camp, he realised that the entertainment was the very heart of Butlins. In order to make the camp entertainers stand out he ordered them to wear red blazers and the famous Redcoat uniform was born. The uniform changed over the years but retained its original 1936 style of red blazer and white trousers or skirt. Over the years, braid and badges were added to the blazers. Famous designers such as Jeff Banks and Zandra Rhodes have redesigned the uniforms. The current uniform retains the trademark red jacket (no longer a blazer) and was redesigned and launched in 2004. Redcoats now have two uniforms, the traditional formal uniform and a new casual outfit to match their additional role as children's entertainers. Sir William Heygate Edmund Colborne (Billy) Butlin, (September 29, 1899 – June 12, 1980), was the founder of Butlins Holiday Camps. ... It has been suggested that Sportcoat be merged into this article or section. ... Jeff Banks (born March 17, 1943 in Ebbw Vale, Wales) is a renowned British Designer of both Mens and Womens Clothing, Jewellery, and Home Furnishings. ... Zandra Lindsey Rhodes (born 19 September 1940 in Chatham, Kent) is an English clothes designer, most prominent in the 1970s, known for her unusual clothes in loud colours. ...

Recruitment and training

The Redcoats are viewed as the elite of the entertainment staff and have to undergo a rigorous selection and training process. Recruitment roadshows are held nationally and prospective redcoats have to show potential in a range of fields including dancing and singing. Successful candidates attend the Butlins ‘Academies of Excellence’ and receive rigorous entertainment training. Training includes aspects of direction and production and success usually leads to membership of Equity. Attendance at a Butlins academy is an achievement that enhances a showbusiness résumé. The British Actors Equity Association (now called Equity) is the British actors trade union. ... Look up résumé, curriculum vitae, resume in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ...

Roles

Redcoats provide virtually all the in house entertainment on the camps. They perform on the Centre Stage and have their very own venue called Reds. Reds is also home to 'Reds TV' which showcases the talents of the Redcoats. Redcoats also run the various children's clubs which provide sporting activities, competitions and arts and crafts. Each redcoat will have many different roles to fulfil in any given week.

Famous Redcoats

Many famous entertainers have made their career breakthroughs as a result of their careers as Redcoats and becoming a Redcoat is still seen as a step onto the showbusiness ladder.

David Tynan OMahoney (July 6, 1936–March 10, 2005), better known as Dave Allen, was an Irish comedian, popular in the United Kingdom and Australia in the 1960s and 1970s. ... Moira Anderson (born 5 June 1938 in Kirkintilloch, East Dunbartonshire) is a Scottish singer. ... Johnny Ball circa 1998 - Birmingham Johnny Ball (born May 23, 1938) originally came from Bristol, spending his primary years there and later in his childhood moved to Bolton, Lancashire. ... Michael Ciaran Parker (born May 4, 1952 in Bermondsey, London), is an English comedian better known by his stage name Michael Barrymore. ... Mike Burton (born 18 December 1945) is a former English rugby union footballer who played prop forward for Gloucester R.F.C. and England national rugby union team. ... Stand up comedian from Manchester, born 22 June 1933. ... Diana Magdalene Roloff (b. ... Darren Day (born July 17, 1968) is an English actor, singer and television presenter. ... Charlie Drake (born Charles Edward Springall, on 19 June 1925, in South London) is an English comedian, actor, writer and singer. ... There have been several historical personages named Clinton Ford, including: Clinton Ford, American artist. ... Russell Grant (born 5 February 1951 in Hillingdon) is a popular British astrologer and media personality. ... Ever since he was five years old, Russ Hamilton has been following the gambling money. ... Roy Hudd, OBE (b. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... Stephen Mulhern born 4 April 1977 is a British childrens TV presenter and entertainer. ... Michael Newman (born 1939) is an Australian adult educator and author. ... Robert Frederick Zenon Geldof (born January 12, 1932) is a veteran English television personality. ... Jimmy Perry (1923- ) is a writer and actor, most famous for writing the BBC sitcom Dads Army with David Croft. ... Sir Cliff Richard OBE (born Harry Rodger Webb on 14 October 1940) is an English singer, actor and businessman. ... Ted Rogers (20 July 1935 – 2 May 2001) was a fast talking English comedian and light entertainer (who originally started his career as a red coat entertainer). ... Terry Scott Terry Scott (May 4, 1927 - July 26, 1994) was an actor and comedian who appeared in seven Carry On films. ... Bill Simpson (born March 14, 1940, Hermosa Beach, California), is a retired American racecar driver and a pioneer in the racing safety business. ... Isla St Clair (born 2 May 1952) is a Scottish singer, actress and former game show assistant. ... This article is about the musician. ... Jimmy Tarbuck OBE (born 6 February 1940, Liverpool, Lancashire, England) is an English comedian, emcee and the father of actress and television presenter Liza Tarbuck, he attended the same school as Beatle John Lennon and newscaster Peter Sissons. ... Matthew Bellamy (born June 8, 1978) is the lead singer and guitarist of British rock group Muse. ... Johnny Vegas (born Michael Joseph Pennington on September 11, 1971 in St. ... This article is about the actor and singer from Steps. ... For the TVB drama, see Steps (TVB Series). ... Naomi Wilkinson (born June 30, 1974 in Bristol) is a British television presenter who has been presenting Milkshake!, the early-morning programme for pre-school children on Five, since its inception in 1997. ...

References

• http://www.butlinsmemories.com/redcoats.htm
• http://www.butlinsonline.co.uk/index.cfm?page=2265&wt.svl=582345
• http://www.butlinsonline.co.uk/media/studentpack2006.doc?wt.svl=588731
• http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/4886610.stm
• http://www.thisistravel.co.uk/travel/news/Butlins-unveils-new-lookRedcoats-article.html?in_article_id=40267
• http://www.butlinsmemories.com/faq.htm