There’s a programme on RTE Radio 1 in Ireland called ‘Queuing For a Living’. The whole programme consists of interviews with people who are waiting for something: to visit a relative in prison, to collect a social security payment, to catch a train…
As I listened to Saturday’s edition, I remembered some of the queuing and waiting I did as a child in Abergele in the sixties …
… There was the dentist’s in Alexandra Road. Mr Ben Francis was our dentist. He was a skilful and kind dentist. He knew I hated injections and, although I was only eight, he cared enough about what I felt to drill without novocaine. He loved golf and this love was reflected in the pile of golfing magazines in his waiting room. The walls were covered with burgundy-coloured, paisley-patterned, furry wallpaper – the kind you find in Indian restaurants. And there was a print of a painting of Venetian gondolas by Canaletto hanging above the fireplace.
Another place we had to queue was at the chippie. (The chip shop next door to the chemists that used to be Boots and is now Lloyds in Market Street.) What I remember most about that chippie was the fact that the stainless steel counter was so high. As children, we couldn’t understand why anyone would want to erect such a high counter. Anyone would think they didn’t want you leaning over the boiling fat to watch the chips frying!
The third place we had to queue – and I remember queuing for many hours here – was at Eric the Barber’s in Chapel Street. It used to be upstairs, above the betting office – sorry, Turf Accountants’. As we walked in to take a seat at the end of the queue, our Tuf Shoes – the ones with the compass hidden in the heel – patted a Riverdance beat on Eric’s lino floor. Oh those sounds and smells … the buzz of the infra-red steriliser, the talk of politics and scandals, the sting of the Bay Rum sprinkled salt and vinegar style on our heads …
I went back there for a haircut two months ago. He’s moved shop downstairs now, but it’s as if time’s stood still. Eric and his shop haven’t changed one bit.
Ben Francis was my dad. Your memories of that waiting room are good, but you could add that it had oak panelling below the wallpaper, up to about 5 feet in height. With the wood flooring and heavy doors it was a very nice room, but you probably didn’t feel that way while waiting for treatment!
Welcome Richard. Yes, I do remember that lovely oak panelling. It was a lovely big house.
And as I recall your father worked with Gareth Parry’s father, Mr Parry.
And always beautiful gardens through the windows with croquet hoops I seem to remember
Firstly, I would love to mention that I went to Mr Francis’s surgery as a small boy in Dundonald Ave, then from here moved to Alexandra Rd.
I also remember , Eric the barber working for Mr Roberts, on the corner opposite the Gwindy pub, the building is now gone and a bench has been put there for the community to admire the traffic passing by.
Only just found this site. Ben Francis bought Mor Awel Alexander Road from my grandparents Mr and Mrs Maitland Watt. I loved that house and have many happy memories it would be great if anyone has any pictures before or after it became a dental surgery. My maiden name was Jeannie Goodwin and I attended Abergele Grammar School from 1953 – 1958. I still keep in touch with Julie Scollen (now JulieWade ) not as often as I should.
Lovely to hear from anyone who might remember me.
Hello Jeannie,
My name is Ken Davies, I attended Abergele Grammar School between 1951 and 1959. I remember you well, I think I delivered your milk when working at Bowden House dairy. I have a younger brother, Cliff who still lives in Rhyl.
Hello Ken
Just found your comments – really interesting; also pleased to read that Clifford is still OK. I think that we last met when we were travelling to London in December 1967!
You may remember me, I lived in Clwyd Avenue and we worked together at Bowden House for several years. Please pass my regards to Clifford.
Cheers
Albert
Hello Albert,
I remember you well, also your mum & dad.
I will pass on your regards to Cliff.
I left Abergele in 1966 ,spent almost 40 years
in Middlesex with a London gunmaker,retired
10 years ago and moved to Bangor Co Down
which is just like Abergele was 60 years ago.
Best regards ,
Ken
Mr. Francis was a very nice dentist, can anyone remember the name of the lady that used to work in the practice for many years, I think she lived in High Street, but could be wrong, very stern but had a kind side too, always worried about time and appointments running to them.
Hello Mike
Really good to see all these comments about Mr Francis the dentist. I was a frequent visitor from 1953 to 1961 when I left Abergele to go to Uni. Going to the dentist was never a pleasant experience but it was always very interesting to visit Mr Francis – we always had interesting conversations. He was an excellent dentist and had qualified at Liverpool, his assistant was a lovely lady Mrs O R Owen, she lived up High St, just beyond the play area. I believe that she was originally from the Llanrwst area and had very saddly been widowed early in the war.
Keep up the good work !
Albert Roberts
Hi Ken great to hear from you especially how you remember me and especially Mor Awel. I have few links with Abergele now but extremely fond memories of that house. I have driven past a few times and it does seem to have changed and I expect inside it is quite different. I do remember Bowden House Diary.
Thank you for your reply it is such a long time ago.
Jeannie
I lived in Abergele from 1954 to 1959 (Sydenham Avenue). In the school holidays I worked part time for Billy Mustard at the dairy with Ken Davies. Ken and I were at the Grammar School together. I can remember Harold Turnbull, Clive Roberts and Janet Seabrook among others. I was pleased to read the news about Ken.
Hello Norman, the Grammar School & dairy seem a very long time ago
but many memories are luckily still vivid. I remember the names you mentioned and I keep in touch with Terry Bell Hughes(Ding), Pete Smith,
Robin Stuart-Jones & Zara (nee Blackwell) now in Canada, along with one or two others on an occasional basis.
Good to hear from you, best wishes,
Ken
Hi Ken
Your sister ruby was my best friend.
I married gordon Jackson in 1964. He lived in berth glad sand was very well known. Any news of Ruby would be appreciated thank you
Hello Joyce, have just today found your post from last June! I had lost touch with
this website as my old email address with “wanadoo” became obsolete.
Ruby has been living in Australia for many years, she is married, they have a son and two grand children. email me at :cledwyn.davies01@gmail.com I will forward it to her. Sorry for such a late response, Ken
In the Nashie I was in the same year as Gordon Jackson, Stewart Hannan, Robin Jones Llwyn Morfa (asst. district attorney Vancouver) Fred Mart and Alan Joe Hughes Gele Avenue (in Montreal very poorly) Jean Bell Davies Elwy Cafe, Tony Thearle Sea Road, Eirlys Evans, Vernon Hughes, Victor Williams, Kathleen Pritchard, Carys Roberts, Ian Thaw. I left school in 1959. Born in Sydenham Avenue and moved to Brynmair Avenue, High Street in abt. 1954. Vivaceous Jeannie, you lived at the top of High Street next but one to Miss Beardmore, PE and English. You were pally with David Mills down the street. His father Captain Dick was manager at Barclays. His mum Betty played the harp. I remember you Ken Davies , after school usually with a gun ready to shoot the marshes.
1st Abergele St Michael’s Scout Troop originally met under Skipper Northam in the Monkey House opposite the Nashie, later at Church House. With training by Frank (Kim) Measures we had four Queen Scouts – Ken Eaton Maes y Dre, Ted Robshaw Market Hall, Bryan Hughes, son of Ivor Slaters brother to Brenda, and Anor. Bryan emigrated to USA and became a medical physicist. I have corresponded with Bryan and more recently with cartoonist Ralph Steadman, Pensarn who was also in 1st Abergele Scouts. Google him!!
I remember “Mwstad”Jones Bowdon House well and climbing on the back of his hunter in a field on Dundonal Avenue. I think he was going to call the police until dad told him my great grandfather had been stud groom (head coachman) at Kinmel Hall. Mwstad revealed then he had worked for him at Kinmel.
Anyone remember me
Alexandra Road. Left 1966
I remember you! I am Bethan (was Jones) and my brother Ioan and I moved to Alexandra Road in 1957 and we used to walk to school with you. Your dad did some decorating for us over the years and I babysat for your brother Robert when I was a bit older.
Jeannie Goodwin – I remember you and Ken Davies and Norman Burslem etc.
I still work 2 days a week and I live in Montreal Canada Glyn’s comment very poorly – well I had Colon Cancer but it was removed over a year ago and I have been cancer free ever since – I’m in good shape and I go Hiking and kayaking as a hobby. I live just across the road from the lake of two mountains. – Brian Hughes payed us a visit from Arizona last year – His father managed Slaters garage