Further to Alan Jones comment about the Lightship being washed up on the beach. I posted a reply under Tank Traps on the beach relating my memories of what this vessel really was. This is a picture of one of the Mersey sea lane markers, complete with light, washed up on Formby Beach. I believe it was one of these that was washed up in the early 60’s and not a full blown Lightship. Apparently the occurrence of them breaking their moorings has been frequent over the years. Does this picture awake anyone’s memories ?

To this. Yes I remember. My sister worked there for years. Sad really.

Previous posts talked about Abergele/Pensarn station as it used to be with the over-rail walkway etc. I found these pictures of a scale model railway layout of the station as it was around 1960. I’ve posted them to remind us all how it used to look. I’m sure you will agree with me it is an excellent model and an interesting reminder of past times. I can remember, as a child, the excitement of the arrival of the first diesel trains, how different today when the same enthusiasm is felt at the sight of steam trains. Pictures are reproduced by kind permission of Rhyl & District Model Railway Club. You can see their activities at http://www.penmorfa.com/rdmrc/

Glassklad batteries started in 1952. They manufactured batteries using cells made in Manchester, hence it was also known as “Manchester Batteries”. It was originally located in Turnpike cottages, where the Jolly Fryer, now a Chinese Take Away, is now. In the 1700’s, the old Turnpike road used to run down Peel Street and up Groes Lwyd on its way to Llanddulas, there was a toll cottage nearby known as the Peel Toll. The Turnpike Cottages were the Toll house and by 1860 , as the toll roads disappeared, it had become a shop and a bakery . The memories of “Glassklad” remind me of when we used to walk to school up Church Walk steps. In those days you could see down into the works through the now bricked up window on the side parallel to the steps. I used to walk to school from Clwyd Avenue with Dad, who was a teacher in the “Nashy”. He used to lift me up to peer into the gloom of the workshop. What a site it was for a child, men bustling about with fires seemingly everywhere and large pots of molten metal. All a bit terrifying, for a six year old. As we grew up we no longer needed Dad’s assistance to look in, we could do that by climbing on the steps hand rail. When I got up to the Grammar School, I used to still walk up the steps every morning to go to the Visitor Office to do my paper round. Co-incidentally, I used to deliver papers to the house I now live in, nearly fifty years later. It was a measure of growing up then, being able to see into the workshop without being lifted or climbing on the rail. Glassklad moved in 1969 to premises near to the Tunnel to the High Street, where they remain, albeit under another name, in business today.

Further to my post showing the model train in Gwrych Castle. I was reliving the heddy days of the Castle when I came across this picture which shows how popular it was in the 50’s. I believe this was taken in 1951.

Many thanks to the Abergele Post. I now have a good copy of the postcard I was searching for. Also, I have reacquainted myself with someone from my youth. Now lets all keep those contributions going to this hugely interesting site. Lets commit our memories to print for all to enjoy.

Hello everyone. Trying to get used to the site and just noticed a a pending comment from Delyth A Macrae who has a copy of the postcard I’ve just posted. I would really like to have a copy so Delyth how can we get in touch ?

This is the card I was looking for. It shows my Dad stood by his bike outside the then Woolworth’s store. I remember this card being in a colour version as well, if anyone has it please let me know. Interestingly, it also shows a Policeman on point duty at the junction of Llanfair Road. Now that innovation might solve the awful sequencing of traffic lights that we have to put up with today. “Technology improves things”, not in this case.

Shrove Tuesday today, and a flood of memories, walking home from school in anticipation of pancakes for tea. Dad making a fool of himself trying, mostly in vain, to toss them perfectly and get them to return to the pan in one piece and the right way up. Little squashy plastic lemons, full of juice, still available today. Getting tea done early so we could go to the Shrove Tuesday Concert at the Church Hall in Groes Lwyd. Always put on by the Band of Hope with the help of Mr Chalk (Chalkie), the curate at St Michaels. Place was always packed to see what surprises they had for us each year. Local businessmen and dignitaries abandoning there sense to do something silly to entertain us all. Chalkie was the Scout leader as well, so when we got older we all got roped in to perform. The seats would be taken early but if you wanted the best seats, let the hall fill up so you could sit on the window sills. What great nights they were, the town celebrating the day together, so busy that people would be outside trying to get a view of the proceedings through the open door. Not sure why it all ended, just a sign of the times I suppose. What a shame.