So have you ever heard of Nat-West Hole?

The hole is just what it sounds like – a circular hole in a wall outside the Nat-West branch in Ilkeston.

Apparently it was created in the 1990’s so that people using the nearby cash machine could check if anyone was lurking nearby.

After jokers hi-jacked the TripAdvisor page for the town, the hole shot up to fourth place in visitor attractions just behind the Erewash Museum, Straws Bridge and Victoria Park.

All but one of the 25 user reviews were positively glowing, with one awarding the maximum rating and hailing the popular hole as “an absolute delight to observe” – and one he will be returning to “several times”

Another also gave it five stars, saying a visit to the hole is a “fantastic, wholesome experience” that has given him many precious memories over the years.

One user said she enjoyed “an amazing day out” at the hole, but warned: “Can get very busy and you can queue for hours but it’s worth the wait.”

But now TripAdvisor has suspended reviews of the attraction. A red label at the top of its page reads, “Due to a recent event that has attracted media attention and has caused an influx of review submissions that do not describe a first-hand experience, we have temporarily suspended publishing new reviews for this listing.”

Spoil sports!

When Margaret Mills joined me today she looked back at the holiday innovations of the 1930’s.

That was when, on the back of the 1938 HOLIDAY WITH PAY ACT OF PARLIAMENT,  Billy Butlin and Harry Warner launched their holiday camps – Butlin’s in Clacton and Warner’s in Dovercourt.

Butlin’s was the big one catering for 1000 people whilst Warner’s generally catered for about half that number.

Butlin’s used to boast that you could enjoy a week’s holiday for a week’s pay which in those days was about £3/10/0 (£3.50).

Listen again here to what Margaret had to say on this subject:-

See you again soon,
Scott