Month: August 2011
Telford and North Wales
“Mr. Telford applied the same methods in the reconstruction of these
roads that he had already adopted in Scotland and Wales, and the
same improvement was shortly felt in the more easy passage over
them of vehicles of all sorts, and in the great acceleration of the
mail service. At the same time, the line along the coast from
Bangor, by Conway, Abergele, St. Asaph, and Holywell, to Chester,
was greatly improved. As forming the mail road from Dublin to
Liverpool, it was considered of importance to render it as safe
and level as possible. The principal new cuts on this line were
those along the rugged skirts of the huge Penmaen-Mawr; around the
base of Penmaen-Bach to the town of Conway; and between St. Asaph
and Holywell, to ease the ascent of Rhyall Hill.
“But more important than all, as a means of completing the main line
of communication between England and Ireland, there were the great
bridges over the Conway and the Menai Straits to be constructed.
The dangerous ferries at those places had still to be crossed in
open boats, sometimes in the night, when the luggage and mails were
exposed to great risks. Sometimes, indeed, they were wholly lost
and passengers were lost with them. It was therefore determined,
after long consideration, to erect bridges over these formidable
straits, and Mr. Telford was employed to execute the works,–in
what manner, we propose to describe in the next chapter.”
– Samuel Smiles, The Life of Thomas Telford
Abergele Carnival and Tram memories
I went to look at the recent Carnival in town. Great to see it being supported by the town people and lovely weather as well, as you can see.
Pentre Mawr Park looked as it used to when I was a child. Lots of things going on, music and sunshine. Brilliant day for all.
In the background was a replica tram from the old tramway that ran between Colwyn Bay and Llandudno. It brought back memories of when I was a small child, catching the train from Pensarn to Colwyn Bay and then the tram to Llandudno. Here is a picture of a tram decending into Rhos on Sea. Sure you will all recognise the place. It’s now a two level roadway.
Interesting and Haunted
While browsing the Northern Ghost Investigation website I came across these articles concerning the history of the Bull Hotel in Chapel Street.
“In late 1848, Jane Roberts of Abergele, opened up her home to a Mormon preacher, John Parry Jr, who was a convert from Newmarket. Jane Roberts, Jane Parry, Elias and Barbara Morris became his first parishioners, but in the years that followed many people in and around Abergele became baptized and were converted to Mormonism.
The Bull Hotel became a place of worship for the Abergele Branch of the LDS Church on April 30th 1849. However it was discontinued to be used by the Mormons by April 1856, as many of the members had emigrated to Salt Lake City and other areas of America.
A plaque which hangs on the restaurant wall at The Bull Hotel, shows the photographs of John Parry Jr and Elias Morris, and states the Bull Hotel as a place of worship”.
Also;
“The Bull Hotel is reputed to inhabited by several ghosts. A ghostly monk is said to reside in the building having died after slipping on a wet surface at the location.
Another haunting is that of a young man who once lived at the hotel. He apparently died in a motor bike accident. The young man was buried in the local cemetery just up the road from the hotel. The figure of this young man still dressed in his “black leathers” has been witnessed by many staff and guests and is said to roam around the whole of the hotel. Yet another haunting is that of an unknown female. There have also been reports of shadows, strange noises, cold spots, orbs and unusual smells all around the hotel”