Tributes to founder of Skegness Pleasure Beach who died aged 86

Jimmy Botton fell asleep at his home in the early hours of October 18 , aged 86.

A two minutes silence was held for him – and another Skegness stalwart who died recently, Town Twinning Association chairman Brian Chapman – at this week’s Town Council meeting.

Mayor of Skegness, Coun Pete Barry, described Mr Botton as a ‘great man’ who helped shape Skegness into the resort it is today.

“He will be greatly missed,” Coun Barry said.

Mr Botton took over the amusement park site along Skegness foreshore on Grand Parade from Billy Butlin in 1965.

Originally a travelling showman, Mr Botton established Skegness Pleasure Beach in the image of the equivalent at Great Yarmouth.

As well as being in a prime seaside location, the pleasure beach offers all the tourist attractions of a theme park: with an arcade and fairground rides.

The Super Trooper ride was introduced last year and the park has hosted several characters such as Bumble Bee, Lightning McQueen and Peppa Pig this summer.

A Cheap as Chips charity day also raised £243.96 for the RNLI.

Mr Botton’s son, Jimmy Botton Jr, and grandsons now run the park.

Mr Botton Jr described his father as his “my mentor, my hero and my best friend”.

"My father;s death has been a great shock – I have been overwhelmed by the number of people who have shopped me to say how sorry they are and what a great man he was.”

The funeral will be held at St. Matthew’s Church, Skegness, on Thursday, November 9, at 1.30pm.