Following my post of an 1860s advert for the Bee Hotel with its pleasure grounds, in the same publication, I found this engraving actually showing them:
After seeing the original post, Huw added a comment, saying the
“Pleasure grounds are probably Bee Fields, where the library, clinic and car park are now located.”
Well, looking at this engraving, Huw’s exactly right.
They can’t be, too west of the Bee. In the engraving the gardens are exactly opposite the Bee which would put them where Darren Millars office is. If you look at the picture of the Bee from 1890 here http://www.francisfrith.com/abergele/photos/ you can see trees right opposite.
Thanks David. Yes, it’d be nearer the town centre than the Library. Nice old photos on the Frith site you linked to. I especially like the one called “Market Street c1960, Abergele”. Wonder what the bunting was out for? Note the Colwyn Bay/Llandudno-style metal canopies over the shops next to the old cinema.
Could have been for the Abergele Carnival. Looks like a nice day and it always seemed to be like that on Carnival Day when I was a kid. I remeber the metal canopies well. Used to get the bus to Rhyl from the stop outside the cinema, affectionately known as the “flea pit” to us kids. Happy days !! Where you brought up in Abergele and if so, in what era ?
I’m a High St child David. You can read more by clicking on the Abergele in Shorts link in the banner above 😉
Interesting. Think your a bit younger than me. Was your dad a teacher too and are you known as Gareth ? I’ve got some interesting old pics of the town. If I could figure out how to attach them I would. Take care.
Looking at old OS maps here http://www.old-maps.co.uk/ it appears that no building is present in front of The Bee as late as 1913, making the above illustration correct.
I hadn’t see that old maps site Huw. Diolch am y linc.
Me again.
Here’s a link to an OS map from the 1910s, clearly showing a labelled The Bee Hotel and gardens in front.
http://www.newyddsbon.com/allanol/gwestybee.png
(I have access to these old maps through a subscription service, so these aren’t generally available to the rest of you.)
Just saw your post Huw. Most interesting, thank you. Wonder why there is a reference to New York, about where Tesco is today and of course the link to New York Terrace. Does anyone know why we have New York in Abergele ?
David, I don’t have a copy of Ellis Wynne’s definitive history book of Abergele to hand: “Abergele: the story of a parish”, but I remember reading there that the builder of the row of cottages by Pickups sweet shop (1960s) had newly returned from New York, so he named them after his travels. But that wouldn’t explain why the piece of ground opposite was also called New York….?
Thanks Melyn, I am waiting for of copy of Ellis Wynne’s book to arrive, bought it off Amazon. I’ll add to this post when it arrives with details of what he says.
Hi, thanks to the internet I now have a copy of Ellis Wynne’s book “Abergele: the story of a parish”. This is his reference to New York, “New York was in existence in 1861. All the houses except the five near Park House were owned by a John Jones who had spent some time in New York, America. He and his wife lived in a large house (recently demolished) at the Eastern end of Sea Road”. Ellis Wynnes book was published in 1968 so I presume his reference to the large house been recently demolished must mean it was there in the early sixties. I was a teenager when his book was published and I don’t remember the house been there so maybe the guess on the dates is a bit out.