While looking through the blog’s stats the other day, I noticed someone had arrived here via a search for “Joytime Wirral”. So I did a search, which revealed precious little information. Some information follows:
Started in 1953 by Norman Trafford and his wife, Dorothy Carr (later known as Aunty Dorothy and Uncle Norman), Joytime ran for 45 years, becoming the longest running childrens show of it’s kind. One of the main features of the show was the talent contest, which spawned hoardes of kids almost rushing the stage every day for their five minutes of fame. The winner of each day’s contest went on to the final on Friday, with Friday’s winner going on the the Grand Final at New Brighton’s Floral Pavillion at the end of the summer.
Along the years, Joytime started off many stars, including Keith Chegwin, Janice Long and Sonia as well as thousands of children who just had a fun time, such as my brother and I with our rendition of both the Neighbours theme tune and Rolf Harris’ Two Little Boys. We never got to the final.
Aunty Dorothy continued with the show until ill health forced her to stop in 1997, winning the British Empire Medal in 1992. She passed away in 1998. The show continues to this day as “Summer Sensations”, still on Vale Park’s bandstand.
If you have any memories of the show or information on it’s history, please comment on this post. This is a fantastic bit of Wirral’s history, which brought joy to thousands of children over the years, and needs to be documented.
Filed under: Children, Events, Joytime, Music, New Brighton, Tourism, Vale Park, Wallasey, Wirral
I have many happy memories of Joytime, every day was spent at Vale Park during the summer holidays.
At the Grand final a Trophy was awarded and was called the Ken Dodd Trophy, which Ken himself donated.
Auntie Dorothy and Uncle Norman, did a fantastic job, they had the patience of Saints. They always has smiles on their faces and were wonderful with us all. Us kids used to really look forward to the summer weeks and Joytime.
Not only did they have the talent contest, but there was the Joytime Princess as well. I still have today, displayed in my mothers trinket cabinet a small trophy for coming third in this competition.
Happy Days
52 year old previous Joytime contestant.
I actually sang on Joytime in the late 60s and early 70s. One of my brothers made it to the ‘civic hall.’
I remember Keith Chegwin and his brother in those days. (Not sure what happend to his brother).
Where did and Norman and Dorothy’s son Andrew get to?
Many memories of those days.
Remember doing my Tarzan inpressions and failing!!
i think he was jailed
I personally have no memories of the old joytime all i can reveal is that this show is being given its original name of joytime again!
about time im sure some will say!
it has been 3 succesful years as summer sensations but now i think is the time for it to be called joytime again
by the way im the host of the show for the last 3 years and for the foreseeable future…
happy christmas
I am Aunty Dorothy’s grandaughter. I have many lovely memories of joytime and my grandparents. I used to fly in from America and visit and even sang when I was 6 years old. I went on to the Floral Pavillion.
Can you tell me whatever happened to Aunty Dorothy’s son Andrew?
I was a regular dancer on joytime part of the christine keen group of young dancers and i also danced solo “THE STAR OF THE SHOW” as auntie dot used to call me . my summers at joytime were fantastic… school term couldn’t finish quick enough. auntie dorothy was a lovely lady and made everyone enjoy their time there.. i also remember steve the ice cream man (what ever happened to him??) and i remember a girl called gelinda came to watch the show every day (now that’s what i call committment) I am nearly 40 now but my summers at joytime will always stay with me and i will cherish the memories forever…
Helen Green! Think I used to go to school with you!
Anyway, can anybody remember the song that everyone used to sing at the end of joytime?? I can’t for the life of me remember it.
I can remember the stripy deckchairs pretty vividly.
J is for joytime all happy and gay O is for our friends we meet everyday Y is for you and its your show you know T is for trafford the boss of the show I is for interval ice cream and tea M is for music we must have melody E is for everyone to have a goodtime and thats how you spell JOYTIME. my god, its 37 years since i sang that my names frank O Brien and in 1970 i was asked by norman traford and his wife dorothy if i would like to do a summer season with them at valepark at the time i was a member of the hilda fallon road show in liverpool and was appearing at a social club that norman run other members of the hilda fallon road show where janice keith and jeff chegwin and everyday together we would take the ferry cross the mersey to do the show and what a great time we had doing it, i will never forget we got 15 pounds a week, what a lot that was then lol met some great people there and will never forget my time there would just like to add in my opinion jancie chegwin now janice long should have been one of the greatstars of this country a great singer dancer and actress she had it all best wishes to all
wow, i still rememer that song …funny how fun things always stay in your memory. My mum and dad owned The Melody Inn club in Wallasey village, remember that??
hi my name is nadine i was reaaly youn when joytime was on but as frank said the words i do get flash backs joytime was the best!
what about aunty sarah and jimmy green, they made us all laugh.
I often think of my Gran (aunty dot) and feel that all I have to do is pick up the phone and call her to say hello. Such was my relationship with her for many years. I have her picture next to my computer. She is dressed in a lovely flowery dress and she is smiling in the sunshine outside her house. My mother mentioned that Simon Fuller was on Joytime when he was young and perhaps this contributed to his creativity. Andrew, wherever you are, I hope you and your family are well. Best of luck to you all.
Nicholas
I too have fond memories of Joytime. I started going there in 1958 and continued virtually everyday until 1970 when I won the Senior Talent and the Ken Dodd Trophy. I had various 2nd and 3rd prizes through the years. I used to love Auntie Sarah and Jimmy Green and I have many photos of “The Gang”.
Does anyone remember the clock made out of flowers in the park. It was on the slope in front of the cafe where we used to go during the interval for our ice creams. I have vivid memories of the scenery with the two arched doorways leading off stage and Uncle Norman who always sat sideways at the piano trying to hear some little girl or boy desperately trying to find the right key for them.
Auntie Dot was always immaculately dressed and a lovely lady and they both hold a special place in my heart. I remember being at Auntie Dot’s house and meeting Jeanette and their grandchildren, so I suppose that could have been you Nicholas or Karen. Sorry I don’t remember but it was a long time ago. Do you remember that HUGE table lamp she had on the piano in the front window ? Funny how certain things stick in your mind isn’t it?
I went on into show business and I can honestly say it is all thanks to Joytime giving me confidence, stage presence and a “good grounding” that I made a success of my chosen career.
Wonderful memories !!!
My Mum , Aunt & Uncle attended Joytime throughout the summers for years. My brother, cousins and I followed tradition through the 70’s & 80’s. I took my little brother on stage for a bonny baby competition and we ended up at the floral when he won
I loved singing the song, it signified the start of the school hols, playing on the Red Noses, the dips and the fort crabbing
We used to take bags of frozen tip top drinks to see us throught the day
I won the Joytime finals at the Civic Hall in 1965 playing the accordion & went on to become a proffesional pianist. I still thank God for Joytime & the grounding it gave me. All the hosts were wonderful.
joytime still runs monday to friday at vale park during the summer holidays still pulling in hundreds of people per day
with new things now to relate to todays youth
as the host i get asked alot why we dont do bonny babies etc but in todays climate its a no go area!
we have teddy bears picnics, fancy dress days, treasure hunts many other theme days and still bring in some outstanding talent for the talent part of the show!
joytime still going strong
such a shame no one really knows about it anymore
hi its me jennifer cliff-wilcock
i am only 9 and i go to joytime i also do the talent show i have to say one thing about the talent show in 2004-2008 i have done it for four years now and i havnt got through so once i realy want to get trough to joy time so i want to say to the judge U DONT KNOW TALENT!!!! because i do loads of karokes in pubs at spain and in the uk!!! so aron hayes say to them put me trough today i have been crying for four years STAIGHT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
hello aron
i realy like u somtimes but why do u chose little kids al the time
oh if u put me trough to the big final i will tell all my cusons my uncles and my mums and dad my bro and my ansesters even if they live in a different contry!!!!! from jenny p.s. joy time is a very good idea!
yo
this website is so fun for kids and if your perants say you can become a member do it you can buy evrything and non members can not!!!!!
hey people who like joytime go on stage don’t be a scaredey cat go on that stage and show them what you are made of that is what i’ll do.
Hello! I am 9 year’s old. You Tube is the best video site in the hole world! You can uploade your own stuff to! It is so esey to use! My friend says it is rubbish! But it’s not! Bye, I’ll report soon!
aron i luv u!!!!
to Aaron this is me jennifer plz can u post plz cus i want to atleast get a big shot at joy time on the big big stage plz cus i have tried really hard past these four years and i want to make in happen in 2008 so please make it happen!!!! plz!!!!!!!
hi aron i luv joy time
to Aaron i am just so exited!! please don’t contact me on Saturday Sunday and Monday i wont be in i will be at a wedding singing again so do not contact me on any of those days ok BY THE WAY I AM SO PROUD OF U !! THX FOR CHOSING ME!!!
lots of love jennifer cw
go Aaron go go Aaron
hi
hi Aaron i want to the grand final in the town hall New brighton i just cant wait!!! its going to be a hit! so if we are friends reply yes if not reply no by the way people who want to buy tickets they well i think they are on sale they are also 400p {£4} so buy buy them up!!!
go go jenny!!!!!!!
err Louise if u say that then u are a scardey cat cus u didnt even go there this summer even tough u live right next to the park at think joytime is lame so u cant say that if u dont go there thats why i go to get to the grand final!!!!!!!
aaron reply plz
to aaron i am going to order tickets soon so save my front row seats for me and my family ok what time is it going to be?
and also how do you get back stage for grand finalists?
from jenny
Wow theres lots of names there that I remember Lynne, Paul, Nick and Karen and little Helen … Hi everyone its been a long time
…..I now live and work in California a long cry from the days spent playing in the Park …. So many memories I to wonder whats happened to Andrew … My maiden name was Christina Keen ..my married name Christina Woods
Hi Everyone especially Christina keen (woods) I worked on Joytime in the 70’s in many areas, deck chair attendent, ice cream seller, the ghost in ‘It’s behind you’ and lived above the cafe in the park. They were grat summer holidays. Christina I still have a photo of you but not sure if you remember me. Keith Chegwin and I were good friends but once he left the show and then became a star, well one thing leads to another and he never mentins he starting out on Joytime. oh Happy days.
good one steve i cant wait until the grand final this year it is gonna be such fun but i have been at joytime for a long time aswell.but i will like to say meet you all there !!
hi this is jennifer cw to tell u that cristina won 2 years in a row witch is not quite fair really so
happy new year!!
hi all, i have great memories of joytime, i started off entering the competions each summer, then went on to being a joytimer with my sisters julie and jenny, i got paid for having so much fun……my fav song used to be me and my teddy bear, and all the kids would come on stage with thier teddys and at the end get to choose a sweet……oh and i miss my free ice creams that we got in the interval……rip aunty dorothy xx ps does anyone remember aunty dorothys friend betty xxx