Barrie Caswell writes....

This was also a very happy period in Christopher's life and he made many friends at the Haven Holiday Village on Hayling Island where he worked as an entertainer and then MD. He regaled us with dozens of stories and it was obvious he was having a brilliant time. In going through his personal things I came across a journal he was keeping. He called it "What A Ridiculous Way To Make A Living- the ups and downs of one year at Mill Rythe". It's an amusing diary of events at the Haven holiday village in the calendar year 1998. I can assure you Chris did not record anything disparaging about anyone except perhaps annoyance that his pay masters were more than a bit tardy getting his pay cheque to him but he did record how grateful he was to friends who willingly came to his aid to ensure he never went short of money.

I shan't embarrass anyone with the "ups and downs" as Chris put it, but I have chosen one extract which I believe will have familiar resonance with Haven Mates and the entertainment department.

Chris with his Victor Meldrew head on.......

Sunday 22 March 1998

A splendid victory over Ireland by 30 points to 21 (reference to the Five Nations Rugby International) lifted me after the dreadful evening I had. It was a hard night. In my view the older generation when pi.... are worse than teenagers to handle and of course, I was left in Hudson's bar to run the entire evening on my own.

The night started badly. One bloke decided that he would try and change one of the faulty light bulbs and it subsequently broke off in his hand, leaving the bayonet lodged in the fitting with the whole system live- I had to call maintenance out. His group then moaned that the heating was too high. When I adjusted this they then decided that the lights were too dim, followed by the lights are now too bright. Then of course why hadn't I started yet- When was I going to start my act? Do you really need to take so many breaks? Why do you have to go over to the cabaret in the ballroom? One couple had been there just three weeks previously. They moaned like crazy about standards then and they were now at it again. Why do they keep coming back if they don't like it here? Between 8 and 8.50pm I don't think they applauded me once. Fortunately, others in the room were really appreciative which kept my sanity intact.

PS:- Incredibly the same couple were later badgering Sarah at reception because they want to book again next month- unbelievable- Apparently there isn't any room, at least not at the moment- one lives in hope.

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