Jim Brenan remembers Jersey Holiday Camp pre Pontins Back

JHC was owned for many years by the Oxenden family (not sure of the spelling). When I knew her she was called Mrs O by everyone. Her daughter was called Joy. My Uncle Eddie Brenan was camp photographer, ran the shop and did anything else needed. He ran razor fishing expeditions for the campers (as they were known).

I used to go there for 3 weeks in the summer holidays from about 1954 and had an amazing time. I remember the fancy dress competitions, battle of flowers and the St Aubins fete.

My Uncle was sent to Laufen during the war, returning to Jersey afterwards. I have films shot in the 50's which I am passing onto the Jesrey Archive – much of this shot at JHC.

Coincidentally my father was a GP on Hayling Island and used to look after Capt. Jack Warner, they lived in West Lane. The "Boys" Alan and Bill Warner gradually came into running the camps, of which there were four on Hayling. I think the Grahams were the managers at Southleigh Camp, my father had a surgery in each.