Fred Pontin
Encyclopedia
Sir Frederick William Pontin (24 October 1906 - 30 September 2000) was born in Walthamstow, the son of Frederick William Pontin and Elizabeth Marian Tilyard and was knighted in 1976. He died in Blackpool
aged 93. He had a successful career in the city's Stock Exchange
. He attended Sir George Monoux
Grammar School in Walthamstow. During World War II
, he was involved in helping to establish hostels for construction workers.
Based on this experience, he decided to move into the holiday camp business after the war. He formed a company to buy an old disused camp at Brean Sands near Burnham-on-Sea
, Somerset
in 1946. This was the start of the company known as Pontin's
. He went on holidays to Ireland
.
Blackpool
Blackpool is a borough, seaside town, and unitary authority area of Lancashire, in North West England. It is situated along England's west coast by the Irish Sea, between the Ribble and Wyre estuaries, northwest of Preston, north of Liverpool, and northwest of Manchester...
aged 93. He had a successful career in the city's Stock Exchange
Stock exchange
A stock exchange is an entity that provides services for stock brokers and traders to trade stocks, bonds, and other securities. Stock exchanges also provide facilities for issue and redemption of securities and other financial instruments, and capital events including the payment of income and...
. He attended Sir George Monoux
Sir George Monoux
Sir George Monoux may refer to:*George Monoux, Sheriff of London, 16th century*Sir George Monoux College, Walthamstow, London, named after the above...
Grammar School in Walthamstow. During World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, he was involved in helping to establish hostels for construction workers.
Based on this experience, he decided to move into the holiday camp business after the war. He formed a company to buy an old disused camp at Brean Sands near Burnham-on-Sea
Burnham-on-Sea
Burnham-on-Sea is a town in Somerset, England, at the mouth of the River Parrett and Bridgwater Bay. Burnham was a small village until the late 18th century, when it began to grow because of its popularity as a seaside resort. It forms part of the parish of Burnham-on-Sea and Highbridge...
, Somerset
Somerset
The ceremonial and non-metropolitan county of Somerset in South West England borders Bristol and Gloucestershire to the north, Wiltshire to the east, Dorset to the south-east, and Devon to the south-west. It is partly bounded to the north and west by the Bristol Channel and the estuary of the...
in 1946. This was the start of the company known as Pontin's
Pontin's
Pontins is a British holiday business which was originally founded in 1946 by Fred Pontin. It specialises in offering half-board and self-catering holidays with regular entertainment on offer. Accommodation is usually in the form of chalets. The company once grew to be a major operator of...
. He went on holidays to Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
.