Martin "Buzby" Allen

Urdington (it’s near Manchester) boy, Martin "Buzby" Allen, started with the unparalelled load of being the teams’ main Disco DJ, performing in all of the shows, and looking after the youngsters during the days and early evenings. In the early years, Buzby had, perhaps, the most amazing endurance that we have ever seen. The late night disco at Seaton would continue until the last guest had left for the night (or day!), often resulting in a finish time for Buzby in the region of 5.00 a.m. or later. In those days, all of the team would come for breakfast in the dining room at the camp. In Buzby’s case this might often be almost directly from the end of the previous nights disco. Even so, there he would be, looking as fresh as ever. Where he got the energy came from without a total burnout - who knows?

Children always seem to adore Buzby for his constant very loud and lunatic approach to all that he does, especially when he was in his original role as one of the main entertainers for them. No doubt his lack of physical size makes him less of an adult in their eyes too.

In 1981, before he joined the team, Buzby was the United Kingdom Disco Dance Champion. It was quite understandable, then, that he used to be heavily involved in the teams’ choreography. Within the shows, Buzby usually played to his strengths as the butt of jokes and often the target of "violence" at the hands of Mark Brewer - Buzby had regular (violent) contact with bar trays! He also got involved in some of the more risky stunts performed, often injuring his back in the course of his performances, or even through silly trips and falls.

In 1987, while the team were working sat Warners, Buzby had a run in with the Devon Police after a series of incidents during a "ramble" in Beer, near Seaton. The statement given to Police following his "assistance with their enquiries", as related to us by Johnny Wade in 1988, made a hilarious story. The whole process ended with Buzby plaguing the Chief Constable for the return of his statement as was his right under UK law.

Rumour has it, that Buzby has a hidden talent in that he re-built some wardrobes for the Nigel’s mum following her move to Hopton in 1999. Certainly he’s had a hand in designing scenery for the various shows over the years - sometimes with greater success than others!

During our 2000 holiday, we found it had been an injury hit year for Buzby. Once again, he was sidelined due to his back during our holiday - him and about a third of the rest of the team with one injury or another! Even Darren Gregory managed to fall down some stairs during the week and wrench his knee.