The photo on the front cover shows the main building before it was painted in the now familiar sand colour, and before the wing containing what was then an amusement arcade, Wimpy restaurant and box office was added. At that time the whole complex was called the New Cornish Riviera Lido, prior to being renamed Cornish Leisure World and the Cornwall Coliseum.

 

On the inside, the three children featured in the main background photo, were the son and daughter of the MD (Graham McNally), and the son of the Security Manager (Mike Honeyman). Graham McNally in turn was the son of the Chairman of Exchange Travel, the then owners of the complex. The steam train which used to transport people to the naturist beach can be seen at the bottom right hand corner.

 

This leaflet was produced at the start of the heyday of the Coliseum, as you can see, the so called regular big name acts featured at the time were The Dooleys (of all people!). Later much bigger names were featured, including Thin Lizzy, Genesis, Duran Duran, Ultravox, The Jam etc. etc. etc. Jethro once played the role of Father Christmas in a Christmas panto there, (I was the front end of his reindeer!!!). Billy Connolly also appeared, as did Jim Davidson. So quite a line up at the time, and incredibly popular.

 

I guess I was fortunate to work there, whilst at college, from 1978-1982 (mainly running the roller disco, but doing a large variety of other jobs besides), probably the best time in the Coliseum's history. I think even at the time, none of us expected it to be successful forever, but it was great while it lasted.

 

I believe Exchange Travel were one of the first to make proposals for additional accommodation the be built on the site, with plans for a Fishing Village style accommodation complex, but this never came to fruition. They tended to be as sympathetic as possible to the beach itself, and would probably have been equally horrified at what is now planned. (Although the company went bust quite a few years ago now).

 

Also featured in the leaflet are Beelzebub Disco, created in what were originally badminton courts in the original 1930's country club complex. This then became Bentleys, then Quasars, and ultimately Gossips. The main auditorium was originally two indoor tennis courts, and the cellar for the bars was originally a squash court. The swimming pool, Olympic sized no less, was built with the original complex, was unheated, and even in the middle of summer, rarely warmed up to a decent temperature.

 

Anyway, enough of my reminiscing, here are the scans.

 

Regards,

Martyn Feather