Butlins Scottish Camp Remembered In Debut Novel By Former Ayr Redcoat

LIVINGSTON, U.K. - Feb. 28, 2015 - PRLog -- For just over five decades, Butlins Holiday Camp at Ayr, was an integral part of the Butlins Holiday Empire. It was a popular holiday destination for thousands of holidaymakers around the UK as well as day visitors – especially during the Scottish trades holidays.

When the camp closed its doors in 1998 to be transformed into a caravan park, it marked the end of a golden era in the company’s history. And now memories of this one time popular holiday park are relived in a debut novel by former Butlins Ayr Redcoat, Frank McGroarty.

“What Time Does Midnight Cabaret Start,” is a work of fiction, blended in with historical fact, set in the later stages of the “Hi De Hi” era at the Ayr complex in 1982.

It tells the story of 18 year old Terry McFadden, stuck on the dole with nowhere to go. Plagued by crippling shyness, he doesn’t have the confidence to do anything, unless it was performing on stage or on the ballroom dance floor.

Then his talents set him on the road towards a life changing summer working as a Butlins Redcoat, where under the guidance of ego maniac Entertainments Manager, Ron De Vere, he discovers the person he wanted to be. He also finds true love, with the lovely Angie

Said Greenock born, Frank: “There is a generation who have never experienced a holiday at Butlins Ayr, but It still holds a special place in the hearts of many.”

“What Time Does Midnight Cabaret Start, is a coming of age love story.  It is a factual account of a bygone era as seen through the eyes of fictional characters whose lives change whilst working at the Ayr camp during the 1982 season.”

“Working as a Butlins Redcoat certainly changed me as a person as well as my life.  It is that sentiment that I wanted to show through these characters as well as bring back wonderful memories of how Butlins worked in those days as well as of a camp that is no longer there.”

Note

“What Time Does Midnight Cabaret Start?”   Written by Frank McGroarty
Published by IWM Publishing:          http://www.iwmpublishing.com

Available in Print and in E Book (Kobo and in Kindle) format

Paperback          £6.99
E Book Download:          £2.50

A digital download version of the book is available for review along with jpeg version of the front cover along with archive Butlins Ayr Redcoat pictures.

For interviews, contact the Author/Publisher:

Tel: 01501-730-118