There was a nurse at Abergele Chest Hospital, or Abergele Sanitorium, in the early 1950s called Nurse Hughes. Her daughter Linda Ramsden has kindly shared some old photos from her personal archive of Abergele Hospital in the 1950s. we’ll publish more of Linda’s photos of life in the Hospital in Abergele Post during the coming months. Many thanks to Linda:
Here’s a gem from the Dennis Parr Collection of Richard Pearce Auctioneers, Valuers, Estate Agents, Market Street, Abergele. It was taken in 1958. Look closely at the reflection in the door glass of the three women across the road, in front of the Car Park. There’s a poster in the window for the 1958 Royal Welsh Show which took place in Bangor. The Eglwysbach Show is also advertised there.
Lee Rowland Williams has been in touch with Abergele Post to tell his dramatic story as an 18-month-old baby when he and his father, the landlord (from 1967-72) of the Pen y Bont pub in Abergele nearly drowned during the Abergele Floods of 1971. Here’s his story in his own words:
“My parents Sheela and Hugh Williams , ran the Pen-y-Bont pub on Market Street,
and the only pub that was built over the River Gele and during the flood , a car became stuck under the bridge , therefore causing massive build up of powerful water to engulf our pub.
“My parents decided enough was way too much and with myself (an 18- month-old baby) my mum and dad and Brian left the pub. Within leaving the speed at which the river was so forceful, my father had me in his arms, but a broken log hit him waist high, and he was knocked underwater with me , into the black water, he couldn’t see me.
“My mum’s heart stopped for what seemed like years. Our friend Brian reacted so fast and, without a second thought, dived under the water and literally grabbed me and raised me up. It sounds dramatic, but it truly was. I went to hospital, but mum tells me that day she saw her only son and husband almost too close to loss, that it’s truly a miracle and also it’s such a huge part of that flood.
“I, Lee Rowland Williams can’t find any archive story of this major story of the history of Abergele. Please help if you can.”
So now Lee’s story is documented on this site. Thanks to him for sharing it.
Linda Ramsden has kindly shared some old photos from her personal archive of Abergele Hospital in the 1950s. Linda’s mother was Nurse Hughes, who worked at the hospital, also known as the Abergele Sanitorium, in the early 1950s. As well as the buildings shown here, she sent photos of life in the hospital, which I’ll publish on Abergele Post in the coming months. Many thanks to Linda:
Here’s a photo from the Dennis Parr Collection of the old Elwy Cafe in Abergele’s Market St. in the 1960s.
Feel free to use the Comments section if you’d like to share any memories of your time here.
Here’s a photo from the Dennis Parr Collection of the old Abergele Fire Station, Pentre Mawr Park 1948.
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.
Normally, ghost signs are a faded relic from the distant past. Think of the Morgan’s sign as you walk from St Michael’s Church to Market Street in Abergele.
There’s a modern ghost sign high up in Chapel Street, reminding us of when there used to be a Cyber Cafe there. So here’s a photo to help you remember…
Great to see Locked In escape rooms in Abergele.
This is how it works: you get locked in a room with 1-5 mates and you’ve got just one hour to escape by solving tricky puzzles.
Here’s some more info about Locked In Live Escape Games in North Wales – Abergele.
It’s a real-life room escape game based on computer escape games. Escape games are quite a craze. After entering a room with your team of up to 6 people, you’re locked in. By the end of 60 minutes, you must work together to find the clues, solve your puzzles to secure your escape.
This is suitable for ages 12 and up. Children under 16 are welcome in the rooms with adult supervision. Participating in the activity may require climbing a flight of stairs to enter the building at certain points.
Parties, small groups and corporate team building activities can be booked.
Email: info@lockedin-northwales.com
Phone: 01745 798670
Stanley House
Bridge Street
Abergele
Conwy
LL22 7HA
There’s a note on their website to say that you may need to ring the buzzer if the door is locked.
Locked In Live Escape Games North Wales Opening Times
Monday: Closed
Tuesday: Closed
Wednesday: 5pm – 10pm
Thursday: 5pm – 10pm
Friday: 2pm – 10pm
Saturday: 12pm – 10pm
Sunday: 12pm – 10pm
From the Dennis Parr Collection, here’s an old photo of the T R Jones shop in Abergele, date unknown. This men’s tailor and outfitter’s shop was located at Varsity House, Market Street.
Perhaps on the pavement in the foreground was a note to tell the dog to keep looking ahead at the camera.
