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Post date: Jan 15, 2017 5:29:16 PM
Who wouldn't want to jump on a train to Cleethorpes having read Mr W.T. Bolland's romantic description of our lovely town?
THE GREAT CENTRAL RAILWAY JOURNAL 1906
PLACES OF INTEREST ON THE GREAT CENTRAL – NO.3 – CLEETHORPES
By Mr W.T. Bolland
It would be very difficult for any man, no matter what manner of man, to visit Cleethorpes and return home without getting some good of his stay – in increased vigour, or capacity for enjoyment, or in the storing up of happy memories to tide him over a dreary winter; for placed as it is at the very mouth of the Humber, Cleethorpes enjoys the bracing breezes of the German Ocean, a particular immunity from rain-fall, and a plethora of sunshine. These and other natural features make it one of the most healthy sea-side resorts in England.
On no two days may a man’s mood be alike; but there is everything here to answer every mood; and one may pick and choose day by day (even hour by hour) what one will see and do. Cleethorpes is truly variety.
From a stretch of promenade, and drive, nearly two miles in length, with sands shelving to the edge, the Humber with its sweeping waters, gathered from Yorkshire wold and moor may be seen to meet and lose itself in the unresting northern sea. All the day one may stand and view the dark hulls, and now the glint of a sail in the sun, as ships, about their lawful business, come from and go towards the big sea outside.
The fine sweep of sand, possibly unequalled in England for paddling in safety, is the children’s play-ground. Here they may bathe, paddle and dig; building up, with elaborate care, what their fancy directs for the returning tide to quietly cover. In the shade of the long sea wall, mother sits, with watchful eye, and knits, and exchanges gossip with her neighbour, while father drowses over the morning’s news.
If one would frolic and be noisily gay, there is to be found away to the left “All the fun of the fair.” Here there are merry-go-rounds, cokernut-shies, and “Aunt Sallies,” which, like old friends, seem to have been with us always. A switchback is uncoiled for many yards along the sands, a fairy river runs its tortuous course, a bicycle railway circles around and there are things to be done and seen for the nimble penny, that no one may lack an exciting moment. From the top of a wooden tower one may sit upon a little mat and slide gloriously down a spiral way to the sands beneath. What man who has been a boy could resist it?
Intersecting the promenade and drive is the Pier, straddling, like some strange, many-legged animal across the golden sands. A little way down the Pier stands the magnificent new Pavilion in which Concerts
and Entertainments are held daily, and Dancing, that enjoyment of our youth, is indulged in nearly all day long. The Pavilion, built only last year to replace the old one which was burned down in June 1903, is a commodious one and will seat over a thousand people. It has a large and well-appointed stage and accessories, and the floor, from the character of its construction, is admirably adapted for dancing, and in the morning, in the afternoon, and in the evening, the cadence of a waltz, or the ring of the lancers, floats away over the sands and sea. Under the glass-covered verandah, hung with flowering plants, young men and maidens meet; and here one may marvel on the power of the youth with a smile, and the many ways of a man with a maid. To the right of the Pier are the terraced gardens and well kept greens, where is played the old-famed game of bowls and the more modern one of tennis. From the ivy-clad “Ross Castle”, a long view of the river is to be had, and the distant gloom of that spit of Yorkshire land ending in Spurn Point. When the mists and shadows of night gather, like a mantle, over the waters the Light-house at Spurn points out its guiding beam for miles around.
Here one cannot help but comment on the very handsome and well-appointed bathing establishment on the Promenade containing sea-water baths and a large salt water swimming bath which are well patronized by many visitors.
Far away to the right past the new “Kingsway” and its sea gardens and its embattled front are the links and camping ground. Here one may play golf and lead the “simple life” in “smalls” and a tent, and keep ones bottled beer delightfully cool by burying it in the sand.
The country about Cleethorpes is remarkably flat; cycle rides, drives, and long walks may be enjoyed without inconvenience or labour. Through the beautiful avenue to the old church at Humberstone; to the Lock at Tetney with its inn and quaint group of cottages; the Park at Brocklesby with its prize cattle and its deer, and to Pelham Pillar so famous locally for its picnicking and junketing – these are but a few places of many.
Enjoy hours of holiday freedom by the sea and obtain a breath of its life giving ozone, at a charge which to our fathers would seem impossible. London to Cleethorpes and back again is upwards of four hundred and two score miles but four shillings and three-pence is the charge for the journey.
The Great Central Railway Company have over one hundred thousand pounds invested in Cleethorpes, will carry you from the other side of England, set around you every reasonable thing you can expect to minister to your comfort and pleasure and take you home again happier and healthier at a less cost than many pay for a bottle of wine for their dinner.
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