Harwich Museum

Harwich Museum flies hi-de- flag for future generations

For almost a decade viewers enjoyed following the antics of the employees of Maplins holiday camp in the BBC comedy Hi-de-Hi! Some 35 years after the last episode, a museum in a town where it was filmed says it is determined to keep “flying the flag” for the show.

The hit sitcom, which attracted as many as 20 million viewers between 1980 and 1988, was shot at Warner’s Holiday Camp in Dovercourt, Essex.

Set at the fictional camp “Maplin’s” and famed for the catchphrase “hello campers”, Su Pollard, Jeffrey Holland and David Webb were among the stars of the show.

The trio have returned to their old stomping group as part of a Hi-de-Hi! special hosted by Harwich Museum.

During the two-day celebration, dozens of fans – new and old – also got the chance to hear their stories.

Some 45 people joined a guided walking tour of filming locations in Dovercourt and Harwich.

They also enjoyed a meet and greet with the stars, had their questions answered and reminisced and chuckled about old clips.

Tony Tarran, a museum trustee and Hi-de-Hi! fan, says the weekend event sold out long in advance and even had a waiting list.