Happy times at Pakefield caravan park
MEMORIES of summer holiday fun are relived this week as happy times at a Pakefield caravan park are recalled by historian John Holmes.Last month Mrs Bezant, from Kelsale, sent in a photo of Arbour Lane caravan site owner Mr Colby and his son Malcolm as she recalled the fun her family had in the 1960s.
MEMORIES of summer holiday fun are relived this week as happy times at a Pakefield caravan park are recalled by historian John Holmes.
Last month Mrs Bezant, from Kelsale, sent in a photo of Arbour Lane caravan site owner Mr Colby and his son Malcolm as she recalled the fun her family had in the 1960s.
Seeing the article brought back memories for Mr Holmes, who was brought up in Pakefield.
'I, like many of us who were born just before or after the second world war, will recall the wonderful pleasure we had running around the 'Sixteen Acre', as it was called in days gone by,' he said.
'In those days there were many in Pakefield who thought that the Sixteen Acre was 'common land', and they were most surprised to see Jack Colby and his brother 'Pinny' clearing parts of the site for caravans. Even today I know some who still believe that Jack just took over the site.
'Some years ago I was discussing this with Jack's son, Malcolm, and I learnt that he was very much aware of what many of the locals thought.
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'He immediately offered to supply me with a copy of the original contract that confirmed beyond all reasonable doubt that Jack had purchased the land quite legitimately with assets acquired through a bet.'
The site was developed over the years, enabling countless holidaymakers to descend on Pakefield for a break.
'At the end of Arbour Lane was an old black wooden shack which Jack converted into a shop and tea room
in which his wife served,' said Mr Holmes.
'Jack purchased six single-decker buses from the Eastern Coach Works and these were converted into holiday accommodation. Each bus was named after one of the Colby family.'
Today, thousands of holidaymakers can still enjoy a holiday on the Sixteen Acre at Pakefield, thanks to Jack's work.
