‘Hurrah it’s Butlin’s!’ – Launch of the Butlin’s Heritage Archive Project
Following the arrival of a second consignment of the Butlin’s Heritage Archive at HAT earlier this year, HAT’s project team has got off to a flying start. Archivist Eve Read heads and co-ordinates the archive project team with Sophie Towne, project collections assistant, and Tim Day, digital assistant.
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Eve Read (lower left) and Sophie Towne (above) with Rachel Kepinska-Smith of the Butlin’s Creative Team
Butlin’s, founded in 1936 by Sir William E. (Billy) Butlin, has commissioned HAT to manage and archive the Butlin’s Heritage Collection in preparation for their 80th anniversary in 2016. The partnership will make accessible Butlin’s classic public relations, advertising, film, photography and memorabilia for exploration by the nation online.
A thorough survey has already been undertaken of the contents of some 100 archive boxes which have been sorted into groups to establish the final catalogue arrangement. 186 mounted and framed postcard displays have been carefully transferred to new conservation quality sleeves and boxes and essential re-packaging and flattening out work carried out on the poster collection.
Key themes are being identified to inform the development of the project and enable Bourne Leisure’s marketing team to tap into the rich seam of archive material in preparation for the anniversary year. To this end HAT’s project team is also working closely with Butlin’s brand consultancy and creative development team to develop a comprehensive set of keywords which will enable the fast search and retrieval of material to provide inspiration and guidance for Butlin’s development plans and add authenticity to the Butlin’s brand story. HAT will also be providing regular progress updates via
HAT’s Twitter feed - look out for posts tagged #butlinsheritage – and a Butlin’s Heritage Blog is in development.
Among the many gems discovered by HAT is a scrapbook containing a beautiful collection of 1950s ‘3D’ tinted images, a ’21 Club’ photo album for Butlin’s wartime rest clubs on the continent and a stunning 1930s railway poster proclaiming the delights of Butlin’s at Skegness, where Billy Butlin opened his first holiday camp on Easter Saturday 11 April 1936.
Kate Waters, Strategy Partner at Now Agency said:
“The Butlin’s archive has been invaluable to us, helping us create an authentic advertising campaign that is connected to the original voice and purpose of the brand. It has been an almost constant source of inspiration, reflecting not just the brand's past but the social and cultural history of the UK. It's great to know this extraordinary collection is in HAT’s safe hands for the future.”
June 2015
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