On the coat of arms above the entrance to Pentre Mawr is the Latin phrase ‘spes non fracta’. In English it means ‘hope shall not break’. According to CADW, the building was:
“Constructed on the site of the C17 manor house, first mentioned in 1697. The C18 house, the seat of the Jones-Bateman family, was extended c1830, but burned out in 1850. The present building was erected three years later, in 1853. It is now converted into 24 flats.”
I worked at Pentre Mawr 1948 until 1952. At that time I asked many what it meant and I have the answer at last – thanks for that. Incidentally it was occupied as the Council Offices for Abergele Urban District Council for a number of years. It had a beautiful double pronged wooden stairway which served the first floor. Happy memories
I worked for Abergele UDC in Pentre Mawr, then for Colwyn BC between 1973 and 1982.
I would love to be able to view in inside of the building – I have many happy memories of that time.
The building looks really good – credit to Clwyd Alyn.
Colin.