The Francis Frith Collection.
You are here:

Bethesda memories

Here are memories of Bethesda and the local area. You can start now: Add your own Memory of Bethesda or a Bethesda photo.

Bethesda Memories

The Lake, Nant Ffrancon Pass c1960
Enlarge photo |  More about this photo

I used to rock climb in the area during the 1960's with my friends. Not that I was a good climber, but I loved the rugged freedom of the mountains. I also have memories of a young girl from Gerlan who was very nice to me. Her name was Sylvia.

Bethesda Memories

The Lake, Nant Ffrancon Pass c1960
Enlarge photo |  More about this photo

I used to rock climb in the area during the 1960's with my friends.
Not that I was a good climber, but I loved the rugged freedom of the mountains. I also have memories of a young girl from Gerlan who was very nice to me. Her name was Sylvia.

Memories of Gwynedd

Manchester House Stryd Gerlan

My grandfather, W R Edwards moved into Manchester House from Tal y Bont in the Conwy valley with his family, a wife and 4 children around 1910. He ran the grocery business from the shop also dedelivered groceries to the local inhabitants, having to negotiate the steep streets! My mother, his 3rd child, took my sister and I to Gerlan in the late 1940s and early 1950s to visit my grandparents. I remember the wonderful views from the back of the house. My parents were married in the Calvanist Methodist Chapel in Stryd Fynnon on Boxing Day 1929. The Chapel now regrettably has been demolished. I did however take photographs of its interior and exterior many years ago. My maternal great grandfather Thomas John Hughes oif Bethesda worked as a miner in the Penrhyn Slate Quarry. Gerlan, for me, will forever hold special place in my heart. Dr Brian Garston, Southport.

Happy Home

Halfway, with Uncle Idwal and Auntie Lal, was full time home from about 1951 to 1954 whilst mum was in hospital. She died in 1954 and I returned to live in Chester with Dad though I spent holidays at Halfway up to about 1964, including the long summer breaks. I always loved Halfway with Uncle Id and Auntie Lal, but is only when adulthood crept up on me that l began to appreciate fully my 'Swallows and Amazons' childhood, and the many things I learned courtesy of my surrogate parents (learning to swim in the icy Ogwen pools, how to 'whip' a fishing rod, about the use of slate in coffin making. Uncle Id was undertaker, postmaster at Halfway Bridge PO, carpenter, river bailiff for Penrhyn Estate (landlord of Halfway), and organist at Talybont church. I began my school life at Llandegai village school in 1953 and still remember finding life difficult as a non-Welsh speaking 4 year old so much so that I have vivid memories of... Read more

Mt. Tryfyn

Trifaen Mountain c1876
Enlarge photo |  More about this photo

Have climbed here as a teenager

Pre-Fabs

I was a child in the pre-fabs at the top end of Maesg and wonder if anybody else remembers them?

Maesgeirchen Prefab's

I was born in the prefabs in Maesgierchen. I was Brenda Freeman, my father was Charles Freeman, he was born in Bethlan Bach in Bangor - his father, also Charles Freeman, was born in Bangor. My grandmother, Elizabeth Freeman had a market stall in the old Bangor market. Would be most interested if anyone remembered any of my family.

Memorybank total

We're very pleased and excited by your response so far to our "Share your Memories" community.

You've shared 28,826 memories of 5,943 towns & villages across the UK - keep them coming!

Browse memories button

Find Memories

Simply search for your favourite places to read others' memories and share your own.

Start by searching for your favourite places

Tips & Ideas

Not sure what to write?
It's easy - just think of an important place in your life and ask yourself:

How does it feature in your personal history?

What are your best memories of this place?

How has it changed over the years?

How does it feel, seeing these old photos of your favourite place?

Do you remember stories about the local community, its history and people?

Start now!

It's easy to add your own memories and reconnect with your shared local history. Search for your favourite places and look for the orange "Add your Memory" icon to begin.

Your memories

To jump straight to the memories you have added already to the Community, click here

I Remember When...

I Remember When

This stunning compilation highlights some of the best stories selected from the thousands contributed here on the Frith website. The result is an absorbing chronicle of British life from the Second World War to the mid 1960s.

A colourful treasure trove of memories, "I Remember When" is an irresistible mix of personal stories and recollections that affectionately reveal the detail of everyday life in Britain.

Learn more button Save 25% on I Remember When when you order now!
Home > Explore your past > Bethesda > Memories of Bethesda

© Copyright 1998-2012 Frith Content Inc. All rights reserved.