If you used to be a Scout in Abergele, you’ll be glad to hear there’s a reunion in the George + Dragon pub on the 20th of December 2014.
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Stained Glass Window at Abergele’s St Michael’s Church
Vera West of Abergele WI took this photo of the beautiful stained glass window in St Michael’s Church, Abergele. Her photo was published in a set of postcards taken by WI members.
New York Terrace, Abergele
Norman Williams recently enquired if anyone could help him to locate Eurog House, New York Terrace, Abergele. Two of his late relatives, Mary Roberts (nee Williams) and her husband, Owen Roberts, had lived there prior to their both dying in early 1901 (see The Old Pubs, Inns & Taverns of Abergele in the 1800’s). Unfortunately I wasn’t able to find anything marked on any of the surviving terrace buildings to indicate which it might have been. There again, it’s not unknown for house names to change down the years either.
There was, however, another adjacent terrace which no longer exists (see the 1872 map section above). That was called New York Street and comprised 10 properties, whereas New York Terrace had only 7 properties originally. The Terrace and Street, like Roche House which faced them, were all built by John Jones prior to 1861.
The above postcard shows Roche House on the extreme left. The right side of the same image shows the gable end of the first/last of the terraced houses in New York Street with the access just visible beyond.
Can any of our readers, perhaps with a more intimate knowledge of the area, shed any light on Norman’s query? My only other thought would be for him to contact the Local Archives in Lloyd Street, Llandudno to see if the 1900 Rates Books might clarify matters. I’ve put their contact details on the Pubs, Inns & Taverns page which has Norman’s original enquiry.
Nigel Hilton.
Abergele Autumn Club
If you’re over 50 and are game to meet other Abergeleites for coffee, trips and bingo, 10am Tuesday mornings at the Community Centre (next to the Library) is the place to go…
Darlith Cymdeithas Emrys ap Iwan talk
This is a bilingual post; the English follows the Welsh…
Rwyf wedi derbyn gwahoddiad gan Gymdeithas Emrys ap Iwan i gyflwyno darlith am y wefan hon – Abergele Post – a hanes Abergele o safbwynt hanesyddol o’m hatgofion o’r dref yn y 60au a’r 70au. Mae’r ddarlith am 7.30yr hwyr yn Festri Capel Mynydd Seion ar nos Wener 21ain o Dachwedd 2014. Byddaf yn dangos lluniau o’r dref o’r cyfnod ac yn son am ambell gymeriad a digwyddiad cofiadwy. Mae na groeso cynnes i chi ddod i wrando.
I’ve been invited by the Emrys ap Iwan Society to present a lecture in Welsh about this Abergele Post website and my memories of growing up in Abergele in the 60s and 70s. It’s on Friday 21 November at 7.30pm at Mynydd Seion Chapel Vestry. It’s a visual presentation with lots of photos and images of the town. I’ll look back at some of the town’s characters and happenings. There is no simultaneous translation but, if you’re a Welsh speaker or have any understanding of Welsh, you’ll be made most welcome.
Emyr ac Elwyn
Do you remember Emyr ac Elwyn?
They were a duo who used to perform at Nosweithiau Lawen and concerts all along the north Wales coast in the 1960s. They opened a record shop in Colwyn Bay in the 70s. They came from an era of duos; Iola a Nia were Abergele’s most famous.
These 45rpm EP records were often displayed for sale in the window of Jenkins shop, between the George and Dragon pub and Hywel the Barber’s.
Deryl Ann Mahon, whom I knew as Deryl Roberts at Ysgol Glan Morfa, wrote about Emyr ac Elwyn’s song “Sibrwd Cariad”. Her father wrote this song. Deryl picks up the story:
… “Dad gave them the song which he’d come up with on piano … He was a good pianist ! he played the piano for them on this track … They wrote lyrics … I’m trying to find a copy that dad played on in particular as I think the one we had has been mislayed years ago – long shot I know ! Searched internet .. No luck !”
I haven’t found a copy of the record, but here’s a photo of the cover. If you can help Deryl find the vinyl, please use the Comments section below.
Gwrych Halloween
There are some ghostly happenings planned at Gwrych Castle this Halloween, organised by the Gwrych Trust, according to the Trust’s Jake Basford:
“Gwrych Castle has been famous for its ghostly happenings, with stories coming from famous boxers who trained there having spotted the Countess wandering the Gardens, and pictures of ghosts making headlines in recent years (only to turn out to be Hermione from Harry Potter). This is why Gwrych Trust is recreating the spooky experience with a series of Ghost Hunts, Walks, and, a special themed Open Day over Halloween.”
31 October (Halloween Night): Ghost Walks (6pm-9pm) running around the Castle, 50 people per guide, age 16+, costing £15 per person which includes a hot beverage and pumpkin soup. Ghost Hunts (9pm-2am) taking place in the Gardens, 30 people per group, age 18+, costing £30 per person.
1 November (All Saints Day): Open Day (12-4pm) at Gwrych Castle, no minimum age requirement, £5 per person, Halloween theme. Ghost Walks (6pm-9pm) running around the Castle, 50 people per guide, age 16+, costing £15 per person which includes a hot beverage and pumpkin soup. Ghost Hunts (9pm-2am) taking place in the Gardens, 30 people per group, age 18+, costing £30 per person.
Tickets are on sale from Gwrych’s ticketing site from 15 Oct 2014
Mark Baker, Chair of Gwrych Trust, said, “With the success of previous Open Days at the Castle we thought we would really go for it with Halloween this year. There are many ghost stories rampant about Gwrych, from previous owners to current volunteers, so it may be necessary to do a second edition of Myths and Legends one day!”
Pensarn Station 1948
Here’s a lovely old engraving kindly submitted by Delyth Ann. It depicts the opening of Pensarn station in 1848, as printed in the London Illustrated News at the time:
Old postcard taken from the outskirts of Abergele
I originally thought the photo for this old postcard might have been taken from the old hospital chalet at the top of Tower Hill’s Red Rock, but the orientation of Mynydd Seion in relation to St Michaels isn’t quite right. I’m wondering now if it might have been taken from the Doorknob on Tan y Goppa…? It all depends on whether the white in the foreground is limestone rock or flowers. Any ideas?
- Old postcard looking down on Abergele from Red Rock
The pipe that filled the paddling pool
Have you ever noticed this rusty cast iron pipe in the Gele beneath the bridge at the top end of High St? Brian Haynes told me that its purpose was to fill the paddling pool that used to be in the Playnies (King George’s Field).
The concrete pool was there when I was a child in the 60s and 70s. During the 1980s it became a gardening project for Emrys ap Iwan students. This pool is filled in today.
I don’t have a photo of the pool but here’s one of where it used to be and one of the pipe used to keep it filled with water.
