Abergele local news and history, incorporating Abergele in Shorts

Category: Dennis Parr Collection

Thanks to Dennis Parr

Posted on by Gareth Morlais

It was with sadness that I learned of the death of Dennis Parr recently. He’s been a great friend to Abergele and to Abergele Post. He generously shared his photo archive so we could all enjoy it.

I first met him when I was a young boy, gazing with wonder at the window display of his Parr’s The Toyshop. This is the window where we were introduced to Chopper bikes, Tiny Tears and C-Scope Metal Detectors.

Here’s link to some of his photographic contributions to this website. He gave me more photos about five years ago, so there’s still more to publish, which I’d like to do as time goes by.

For now, our sympathies are with Dennis’s family and friends.

The interior of Parr’s Cafe upstairs.

Here’s the Funeral Notice from the Daily Post:
PARR – DENNIS (Parr’s Shop, Abergele), December 2nd 2021. Peacefully at Glan Clwyd Hospital aged 91 years and of Barnehurst, Groes Lwyd, Abergele. The dearly beloved husband of Val, loving father of Janette and Adam, cherished and proud grandad to Michael, Fallon, Lauren and Owen. Service and Committal at St. Asaph Crematorium on Friday December 17th at 11.00am. Family flowers only please but donations if desired would be gratefully received towards St. Kentigerns Hospice, St. Asaph c/o R.W. Roberts and Son Plas Tirion, Kinmel Avenue, Abergele Ll22 7LW Tel. 01745 827777.

Gun and dogs in photo of staff of Gwrych Castle, Abergele, long ago

Posted on by Dennis_Parr

Here’s a photo of the staff of Gwrych Castle Gate, Abergele, in the building’s very early days from the Dennis Parr Collection. Date unknown.

It’s great that the gamekeeper holds both a gun and a gundog or two. It’s quite a warm pose for the time, with people putting their arms around each other’s shoulders. The top hat on the back row  is a standout too.

Abergele Fire Station, Pentre Mawr Park 1948

Posted on by Dennis_Parr

Here’s a photo from the Dennis Parr Collection of the old Abergele Fire Station, Pentre Mawr Park 1948.

Abergele Fire Station, Pentre Mawr Park 1948
Abergele Fire Station, Pentre Mawr Park 1948 from the Dennis Parr Collection

See also this old fire engine, now restored and owned by Colin Knowlson. It’s possible that the engine owned by Colin was called out of the fire station that used to be next to the Bee Filling Station, Slaters.

Hen lun o flaenoriaid Capel Mynydd Seion

Posted on by Dennis_Parr

Gyda’r diweddar Parchedig Isaac Jones yn y canol, dyma lun o gasgliad Dennis Parr o rai o flaenoriaid ac aelodau hun Capel Mynydd Seion. Debyg mai 1970au i 1980au tynnwyd y llun. Mae’r captiwn yn nodi enway Haydn Thomas, Mr Williams a Mr Hughes a dwi’n adnabod John Griff, Frank a Gwyn y trydanwr. Defnyddiwch y Comments i nodi eraill os gwelwch yn dda.

Here’s a Dennis Parr Collection photo of senior members of Mynydd Seion Chapel, Chapel Street, Abergele.

Little Parr’s the Sweetshop

Posted on by Dennis_Parr

Here’s a gem from Dennis Parr’s photography collection, which he’s kindly let the AbergelePost share. It’s a photo of the inside of the Parr’s family’s Little Shop, which sold sweets and cards.

I have very happy memories of buying sweets from here. If you zoom into the picture, you’ll see names like: Treets, Big Chief ice lolly, Coffee Crisp,  Caramac and Skippy.