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Colwyn Bay
Colwyn Bay maps
Historic maps of Colwyn Bay and the local area, hand-drawn by Ordnance Survey and Samuel Lewis. View all Colwyn Bay maps
Colwyn Bay area books
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Memories of Colwyn Bay
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memories of Colwyn Bay.
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Pwll-Y-Crochan Woods
My late father was born in Colwyn Bay and his father and some of his relatives resided in Grove Park. Every year my parents and my siblings had to visit the relatives, especially one we called Aunty Polly who I think was really called Mary but because she was always polishing and cleaning, my mother referred to her as 'Polly Panshine' and the nickname stuck. She had a huge bowl of false waxed fruit in her hallway and used to love offering us an apple, pear or orange, knowing we always forgot it wasn't real! We loved going for walks in the beautiful, and magical (as we children thought) Pwll-y-Crochan woods. We used to be very quiet whilst walking because then we saw rabbits running here and there, and could hear the birds twittering in the trees. We used to frighten ourselves to death believing there may be ghosties around in the darker parts of the woods, but of course, it was all a figment of our own imaginations! I... Read more
To School Along The Prom
I lived in Mochdre, and went to the grammar school, 1955-1962. Getting off the bus at the station we would walk along the prom, skipping stones in the sea, or dodging the waves during stormy high tides. Then we would walk to the school through Eirias Park. One morning I fell into the sea, and had to spend the whole day in a very scratchy ATC uniform, while my clothes dried out in the boiler room.
When we were supposed to be on cross country runs, some of us diverted regularly to our beloved beach; then ran in at the end of the lesson, "puffing" heavily. I never thought we'd been detected, until I read my end of year PE report, which commented that, "Eryl really enjoys his cross country walks."
Whatever gains were afforded to me at my school, I always add to them the amazing privilege that was mine, in my daily journeys to and from the place where my teachers tried hard to break through to an... Read more
Little Green Buses Along The Prom.
For many years, Colwyn Bay U.D.C. ran a bus service along the promenade from Old Colwyn to just beyond the former pier at Rhos on Sea. Commencing in 1926, a small fleet of 5 'Guy' BB type vehicles with covered top 'toastrack' bodies ran in service during the late spring to early autumn tourist season. While the normal requirement was for two vehicles to maintain a half-hourly service, when the weather drew tourists to the beautiful beach in their many thousands, all of the vehicles were pressed into service.
Five conventionally sided small buses, (of 'Guy' Wolf type) were taken into stock in the period 1934/7 with another in 1949. By 1954 all of the pre-war vehicles were in a 'tired' condition and they were replaced by three Bedford OLAZ type with bodywork of a spartan nature by Spurlings. By 1960 the last of the old 'Guy' vehicles was on its last legs (wheels ??) and the opportunity was taken to purchase two further lightweight Bedfords of similar specification... Read more
This is History!
I went to Colwyn Bay with a girl friend and we stayed at 'Tyn-y-maes' (sorry can't remember how to spell it). I met my husband on that holiday when we were only in our early teens. We were friends on and off for several years and finally got together again and married in 1961. We were there last year and tried to find the place but told it has long since gone. Ah, memories!
Prom Activities in The 70's
Does anyone remember the stuff that went on along the prom in the summer months, like the 'Well's Fargo train' that ran from Eirias park to old Colwyn, the small steam train which ran from the bottom of Eirias park to the pier along the railway embankment, the chalets, the 'bikes' which could be rented amongst others?
The Dingle
I lived in Colwyn Bay as a child and have fond memories of The Dingle. It seemed like a magical place to a young child. Over the brook, which runs through The Dingle, there was a little bridge which led to a fortune teller's "cottage". I remember my mother paying her a visit when she was pregnant with my brother and as is so often the case, she was told that there would be a new life and the loss of an old life. At the time I thought this was very mystical, but of course in hindsight, my mother already knew that to be true, being pregnant and armed with the knowledge that her father was dying. Referring to Joanna's letter I would like to say that I also used to swim at the Rhos baths and use to walk along the beach with my dog who used to love chasing the seagulls. Of course he never. never caught one, but he used to be in Rhos whilst I... Read more
Fun in The Park
1960. As young lads most of us had started work and Friday/ Saturday night was our gang meeting night. Summer hols were good fun as the bay used to get a lot of girls, swap girls as we called them, on holiday from Sweden, the swap was a girl from the bay area would exchange family in Sweden and vice versa, but it was our swap if we had a date with one and did not like her, and would always meet in the fair ground - yes the bay had its own fair ground - small, but opposite the tunnel under the train station. Then most Saturdays we would have the battle of the Alamo with the canoes in Eirias Park, the last man still in his canoe had free drinks the following Saturday. There was always one in the gang who worked on the canoes and knew where the key to the chain was, and we always got the boats righted or it would of been the end... Read more
Re Donkey Path
My memory of the donkey path on the promenade. I used to walk from Old Colwyn to Rhos on Sea nearly every sunny day during the summer school holidays. They were the best Swimming Baths I have ever swum in, at Rhos. The donkey path ran alongside the prom, below the railway embankment. Primroses blessed the grassy banks in the spring. The path meandered through trees , it was wonderful. Fond memories of my wonderful childhood.
