1973: Nationwide - Southend Holiday
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Approximately 25,000 ice creams, 13,000 deckchairs and 45,000 toilet rolls - just some of the figures for a bank holiday weekend in Southend revealed in this delightful Nationwide item. We meet the people who keep the town running smoothly, from the road-sweeper to the manager of the sweet factory. There are charming crooners and groovers, kiss-me-quick hats and a very pleased Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ reporter, who gets to present the prizes at the Miss Lovely contest.
Beauty pageants were introduced at British seaside resorts as a way of drawing in the crowds after World War II. They were very popular events and the one in Morecambe that started in 1945 as Bathing Beauty Queen eventually evolved into the Miss Great Britain contest. This was televised from 1971 until 1985, when Michael Grade, the new Director General of the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ, put a stop to its transmission on the grounds that it was "close to offensive".
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