R I P Pontins Prestatyn Sands Holiday Camp 1971- 2023

[@Thurlby99]

Without you Craig all these memories would be lost forever. At least now future generations can look back and remember the good old days of a classic British TV show that brought laughter to us all.

[@mickadams4471]

Here here 👏🏻👏🏻

[@melgrant7404]

I'm watching holiday on the buses this xmas.

[@micktheloonify]

Thanks for this.Both sets of grandparents lived in Prestatyn and Rhyl in the 70's so we stayed here every time back then when visiting and really enjoyed ourselves.

[@rchippy2319]

They were some great times back then. Sad to see it going thanks for showing this..

[@user-hc4es9ky3e]

I was one of the first blue coats and remember them making the film and all the cast .still got the sighted photographs of them all ,very fond memories worked for pontius for5 years

[@OntheBusesDatabase1]

Happier, simpler times no doubt. Thanks for sharing. Sadly, the site is now like a scene from an apocalytpic film. Deserted and silent where less than a year ago it was bustling with activity.

[@hellooohowareudoing]

Very sad, but I suppose nothing lasts forever. Thanks to you we have a lot of footage and photographs of this historical site.

[@zofo1961]

Merry Christmas Craig and everyone ❤

[@atavachronwemberley1744]

Fabulous tribute Craig - as always. And I echo all the sentiments of all the good people who have commented on here. You can’t simply kill off a legendary place such as this. It will live forever!

[@paulmartin4971]

Hi Craig and all the other on the Buses die hards, well this is proper sad but at least we've got all the memories and the film to look back on also all Craig's efforts to bring us all the locations...... Cheers 🍻

[@TheRatlord74]

I remember good times there when I was a kid. Shame to see it go.

[@anthonydiggle2926]

A superb eulogy Craig. So incredibly sad that this unique and iconic piece of cinematic history will no longer be with us. Memories are eternal though, and great thanks and appreciation to yourself for revisiting this location many times to provide so many of those.

[@OntheBusesDatabase1]

Thank you Anthony and glad you enjoyed the video.

[@pdtech4524]

Sad news indeed! I had no idea the on the buses thing was filmed there, watched it many times and used to go regularly to the Haven site nearby, Prestahaven sands during the 1970s snd early 1980s. Many happy memories of family holidays there.👍

[@Dave_at_Southport]

That brought a little Glint to the eye. Thank you!

[@OntheBusesDatabase1]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@johnross2924]

I bought the three on the buses movie dvd the other day for my Christmas viewing 👍

[@davidhayden294]

Craig your dedication to keeping all these memories alive is wonderfull.I done a coach job here 20 years ago with morris dancers from liverpool and i smiled to myself as i drove through the gate thinking of blakey coming out of the security hut.A lot of great memories and sad to see it closed now for good.God bless❤

[@alistairshaw3206]

I'm a coach driver and did a job to The Gathering, a music festival with The Alarm and The Men They Couldn't Hang, to Pontins Prestatyn. I was waiting for Stan and Jack to pick me up in the Bristol open topper , but alas, they didn't turn up. It was a bit of a dump, but the history was amazing.

[@philipmitchell-2262]

Thanks for this video and it's memories. 👍🌹

[@OntheBusesDatabase1]

My pleasure

[@sharonellis8776]

I was deeply saddened by this. I was here in February and July this year for the 50th. xx

[@itsmenotbackup]

All videos of is where I used to go at the same pontins I used to go to the same one

[@michaelturner4457]

TBF I'm not surprised they closed it. It's been underinvested and rundown for years. Pontins in east Sussex also closed. The only Pontins I seen for myself in recent years was Brean Sands in Somerset, and that was a bit of a dump. I lived near it, and went in sometimes.

[@Embracing01]

I agree, it's not surprising it has closed. And yes they are abit of a dump, they attract low income rough families, at least the Pontins Sputhport does as I've been a few times and all the familes there look like they've come off the roughest council estate in Birkenhead. Everyone complains about the unclean chalets, broken TVs, etc.

[@RodneyBrook-xz6tc]

0:30 3:51 We used to have our annual Queen Convention of band Queen Rock band the fan club for many years so beautiful memories here as well it will be in our hearts forever 💓👑👑👑👑😎🥁🎸🎸🎤😭😭💔🙏🏻🙏🏻so heartbreakingly sad 😭

[@Lab4Official]

Such a shame, I played there for the Tidy Weekender raves, the main hall was an amazing venue to play. Staff were always great as well.

[@Arthur.in.the.Fridge]

Maybe they will find other uses for some of the buildings. Very sad this. I loved that film.

[@OntheBusesDatabase1]

I very much doubt it. The whoke site comes as a package so to speak. It will either be left derelict to rot or sometime in the future if the site is sold it will be demolished.

[@robclark4507]

Went here last wk was gutted its closed

[@OntheBusesDatabase1]

Yes it closed last November whilst I was doing some filming location videos and photography.

[@stdavidboy]

Heard it was now going to be used for a certain group of people?

[@OntheBusesDatabase1]

Nope you heard wrong.

[@garethjones8047]

It wouldn't be good enough for them. They demand luxury hotels and waiting on, nothing less.

[@kirklees3101]

The Britannia Hotel group who owns Pontins is known for housing illegals. And as for the Home Office I don't believe a word they say. They don't know what is going on as demonstrated by their 2 representatives in the recent Select Committee questioning. It was like questioning a couple or Work Experience candidates. A farce in itself.🙄🙄

[@fatlad5090]

are you pulling a case with you.

[@OntheBusesDatabase1]

Yes I was.

[@paulhayward4383]

Never seen this place b 4

[@fatlad5090]

what a shame. But it was run down. when did it open

[@OntheBusesDatabase1]

It opened in 1971.

[@susandoig4192]

Such ashame

[@davepayne586]

sad times when they close for good,people had good times there,many gone now, R,I,P

[@Embracing01]

Maybe they did back in the 70s and 80s, but everytime I hear anyone talk about Pontings they don't have anything nice to say about the place. It's always negative comments about cockroaches, dirty bedding, dirty chalet floors etc. Pontins at Southport attracts alot of rough families, not surprising really as it's near to Liverpool, and I expect Prestatyn was no different. Can't beat the entertainment for the kids though, but most people just want or expect the VIP treatment, but what do they expect for a cheap holiday camp?. Go to Haven or Park Dean Resorts in the peak holiday season and you're paying about 800 quid.

[@Jackel7]

Delivered kegs and soft drinks when i drove drays back in the nineties, place was always choka back then....shame to see.

[@dave1secondago]

i think the package holidays killed this and many more off , as u could go abroad for a lot cheaper

[@OntheBusesDatabase1]

That may have been the case in the 1960s and 70s but Pontins always had a loyal group of stayers who would stay there regardless. If you look around on social media sites on Pontins groups you get the gist of how passionately the hardcore fans defend Pontins camps.

[@zofo1961]

I hope the plaque goes to a tv or film museum

[@OntheBusesDatabase1]

I'd imagine it will be returned to Welsh Screen Heritage for safe keeping until it is decided what will become of it.

[@zofo1961]

@@OntheBusesDatabase1 Or they could lend it to you, can see giving it a polish every day 😆

[@susandoig4192]

Holiday on the buses ❤

[@Oberon-uc8dh]

We used to go there for the Queen conventions.......not the nicest place, had to clean the chalet before it was fit to sleep in, but if truth be known we only slept there

[@duckman5642]

Stayed there 15 years ago was like a prison camp and stank of cigarettes.

[@jamesconnerty9581]

I have a on the buses fruit machine

[@michaelsheard2713]

It's waz holiday on the buses wart a laugh

[@user-mj8dq2eh4q]

Bet you this place now has illegal immigrants living there now 2024

[@OntheBusesDatabase1]

Sorry you are wrong just like you'd be wrong saying that about Pontins camps closed down four or five years ago. All derelict and that is how they will stay.