England fan takes same holiday for 61 years

21 hours ago

Simon Sparkin Great Cowden

News image — Richard Dowell outside his static caravan, which is decorated for the World Cup

BBC Richard blows an England themed vuvuzela trumpet, wearing a blue England Cap, white England shirt and sunglasses. Behind him is his static caravan decorated with England flag bunting. — Richard Dowell outside his static caravan, which is decorated for the World Cup

A man who has taken the same holiday for 61 years says he has been rewarded with some of his happiest memories.

Richard Dowell, 78, from Hull, began visiting Cowden Holiday Park, on the East Yorkshire Coast, in 1965.

Now, the England fan is hoping for a repeat of the World Cup win he watched at the park the following year when just 18 years old.

"I can't quite remember it all, but as far as I know everyone enjoyed it, staying up and everything," he said.

Richard Dowell An old photo of Richard, wearing a red jumper and brown trousers, standing with a red mini on his left and a brightly painted static caravan on his right, The van is mustard yellow on the bottom and white on the top, with a mustard trim on the roofline — One of the static caravans Richard has owned over the years

Richard's first stay at the park, near Hornsea, was in the company of two friends.

"One of them, his dad, had a caravan here," he recalled. "And the rest? Well, we're still here."

While he has gone abroad many times over the years, the caravan park has become more of a home than his house.

"It's the people that make it, the friends that you make," he said. "Some of them, they're not here any more – nice people."

Richard Dowell Richard standing in front of the bar which has a large England flag draped at the front. He has a pint in his hand, a large England hat on, England white t shirt and Union Flag shorts on — Richard in his England kit in the clubhouse bar

Richard is fully prepared for the World Cup: he has a passion for England memorabilia, including a scarf touched by King Charles, and a collection of hats, ratchets and horns.

On visits to the park's clubhouse, he always dons an England tie, complete with pin badges.

When he's not in his England kit, he is in his Hull City shirt instead. He still has a copy of the programme from when the Tigers won promotion to the second division in 1966, though the original was lost when his previous caravan burnt down when he was 21.

Richard Dowell A black and white picture of a young man on Bridlington beach. He has a jacket on over a knitted pullover and has a scarf around his neck. — Richard in Bridlington in 1966

Richard's other passion is singing karaoke at the park's club. His favourite is Penny Arcade, by Roy Orbison, and once he starts, it can be hard to get him off stage, according to staff.

"He's certainly a character", says Louise Knight, a park administrator.

"He's just become part of the furniture. There's not anybody here that doesn't know Richard and we all love him.

"He's on the karaoke every weekend – we can't get him off."