your comments
Kitt Malone, Manchester
My family and now myself have owned caravans in Rhyl since 1962 on Robin Hood caravan camp. I love the place. So much so that I have bought a house there. I will be moving there in three weeks. I know Rhyl has changed over the years but so has everywhere. That's why I can't wait to get out of Manchester. Rhyl, hopefully, will be the great seaside town again one day maybe great in a new way but great all the same. Look at all the great countryside, towns, villages and coastline on Rhyl's door step. I have always been mad on the place and I always will be. I have always supported Rhyl and when I move there I will do all I can to help and support Rhyl to get back on her feet.
Tue May 19 12:33:38 2009
Noreen Davies, Blackpool
My name was Lucas and I used to attend St Mary's Convent from 1952-1960. I have often wondered what happened to all the girls I used to know. Do you remember Rita Shepherd? Her family had a cafe in Queen St. Then there was Susan McManus and Susan Woolley who were in my class. I worked in Rhyl most of my life in shops and offices and later in St Asaph where I used to live. Rhyl was once a wonderful bustling town but now it is no longer a holiday town. I have found this site very interesting and hope that someone may remember me.
Fri Apr 24 08:33:17 2009
SMB, Turin, Italy
Hi there CB. I worked at Tito's in 1975/6. I did know John the Irish barman and probably you knew Linda that worked at So & So's the disco under the hotel. I also worked at the Downtown Club. Good times lots of great friends, Angela, Jackie, Lynne, Jeremy, Kelvin, Barry (he had a second hand shop). We all worked at Tito's or So & So's for some time. I left Rhyl in June 1976 and my best memories are the years I lived there.
Mon Apr 20 10:30:34 2009
Stuart Murkin, Great Yarmouth
I remember Rhyl in the mid 60s, we used to stay at a guest house 20 River St. One year we stayed there and there was another family from Owestry (Smith was their name). John (Nhoj) with his sisters one yonger and one older. I lived in Burton-on-Trent then. I have fond memories of Rhyl. If you are reading this John, get in touch! I am on facebook.
Tue Apr 14 10:26:28 2009
CB Southwest England
Hello to your site, been reading through the memories of many people which are very enjoyable. Does anybody out there remember a hotel called Titos? I worked there as a young lad on a summer season. I had a fantastic time and met some really great people. It was the summer of 1976. It also had a cabaret, which had many talents appearing there. I remember Jimmy James and the Vagabonds and lots of others as well. Faith Brown was there all season with others. It for me was a fab time great nights. I was a chef at the time. A little Irish fella called John was the barman - he kept me topped up with Southern Comfort. A name that always comes to mind was a fella a local called Jimmy Skevenginton. He was a fantastic acrobat or so I thought. I did not know him personally but saw him in the club beneath Titos. He was a real tough fella. Full of life. I could go on boring you for hours. But all I want to know is does anybody remember Titos Hotel? It was at the far end of Marine Drive the opposite end from the fair ground. I worked there too, for Billy Williams. Please if you did work there in 1976 let everybody know cos I will look in again one year at this site, and I won't think it was all a dream that I had one summer in Rhyl.
Mon Apr 6 09:45:52 2009
(A) Tony Jones, Cotgrave, Nottingham
Paul (my younger brother) was looking for the 'Team Houses' in Ysgol Llewelyn, I think the other house was Maelgwyn unless somebody knows better.
Mon Mar 9 10:24:49 2009
Val Hines nee Hughes
Hi Paul, I have just read your note. I do not look very often at this site. But it was lovely to hear from you. What are you doing now? I forgot you went to Ysgol Llewellyn. Can you remember my dad as caretaker? I will keep looking at this site more often, it does take you back to our childhood.
Mon Mar 9 09:20:23 2009
George Owen, London
Allan Christley. I just saw your message about Ysgol Llewelyn. Are you the same Allan who later worked at the Rhyl Jounal in the Comp Room along with me and Tony Hanmer, Eric Davies and Roy Robinson etc? I have a photo of us in the Swan. It would be good to hear from you if so.
Fri Feb 20 09:54:52 2009
Sharon Bradbury from Stoke
Hi I am trying to find out about a place called Rhyl homes in the 1970s. My brothers were killed in Stoke on Trent in separate incidents but only three years apart, so my brothers and sisters were sent on a holiday to Rhyl homes. I was only three at the time but I am trying to see if anyone can remember this place, as at the time my sisters and brothers had a great time and would like to know if there are any pictures of this place to show my family.
Fri Feb 13 09:55:37 2009
Anna Carroll, Merseyside
I remember Jacky McDonald and Pat. Pat was one of my very good friends. Do you remember Frances Farrelly and her sister Bridget? A long time has passed since those days as borders at St Mary's Convent.
Mon Feb 2 10:31:09 2009
Jacqueline McDonald, New York, USA
I attended St Mary's Convent as a boarder as did my sister Patricia McDonald, from 1959 - 1962. I remember Althea French - you were in my class! I hope you remember me too. Would love to hear from you and anyone else who may see this message and remembers me.
Thu Jan 29 10:04:59 2009
Christine Madsen
As a child in the 50s I holidayed in Rhyl with my parents and sister Marilyn. Every evening we went to a "show". We loved the Billy Manders shows with the lovely costumes of the show girls. We saw Eden Kane in the pavilion, Winefred Atwell at the piano, various artists of the era. We went to the Little Theatre and the Odeon on Friday. Before we returned home we went to the fair ground. What a treat. We stayed with Mrs Wombey at 18 Ellis Avenue year after year. This year for the first time in years I stayed that end with my grandchildren. What a shock, nothing like the Rhyl of my childhood. Sorry Rhyl, but it was awful, dirty - nothing there really to interest my family, no fair ground. How sad.
Wed Jan 7 08:46:03 2009
Margaret Harvey
The houses at Ysgol Llywelyn were Eryri, Siabod, Tryfan and Llywedd (red). I went in 1952 and I too remember Miss Mason, Mr Timothy etc.
Wed Dec 17 08:01:23 2008
Paul Jones, Sale, Cheshire
Hello Val (Hines). A long not seen distant relation of yours is writing this. i.e. your sister's husband's brother! By chance saw your name when accessing the Ysgol Llewelyn site. I have vivid memories of Mr Timothy and Mr Williams but more so Miss Mason. Can anyone please tell me, it has been bugging me, the names of the teams (houses) at Llewelyn? I can only think of Eryri, Siabod and Tryfan.
Mon Dec 8 08:30:59 2008
Anna Legget nee. Carroll
Althea French I remember you, I was a boarder at the same time, my name is Anna Carroll. I remember you were a great friend of a girl called Alicia. I remember the dormitory with the bed, the washstand and the cupboard and when we were older we went down to the lower dormitory.
Thu Oct 16 09:37:37 2008
Mel, ex Rhyl now south coast exile
I was born in Rhyl (actually Kinmel Bay) in 1960 and this brings back many memories for me! My parents moved away around 1964 so as my dad could be nearer his work in Chester. My Nanna ran a guest house in Crescent Road, so you barrow boys may have delivered her visitors for her! She was right opposite the Crossville station. Moving away at such a young age I don't remember too much, but I do remember Hi-Hat Ice Creams and the paddling pool in the summer, the Punch & Judy show and the lights on the pavilion and the illuminations along the prom. The prom was a great source of entertainment for us kids. Swing boats, cycle rink, bowling green, yachting lake and loads more. My dad has loads of photos of me as a litle girl playing along the prom. I remember there being a Milk Bar somewhere. We also used to go to the little row of shops in Kinmel Bay (must have been Foryd Road) after school. Talking about the Marine Lake, my uncle was an engine driver on the train (must have been late 1960s or early 70s).
Tue Oct 14 10:24:41 2008
Althea Waller (nee French)
I am looking for any old girls who were boarders at St Mary's Convent, Russell Road, Rhyl, between 1956-61. I have so many happy memories of the school. Robin's Nest in the field. Going riding on a Saturday. The meals in the basement, the dormitory on the top floor and no matter how hard we tried, no matter what time it was, we could never catch the nuns without their veils. So many memories.
Fri Oct 10 09:14:49 2008
Ian Mabbitt
I first went to Rhyl as a boy on day trips from Ellesmere Port (1950s) but got to love it when as a bakery student at Wrexham Tech worked my summer holidays first at a bakery owned by a Polish man (can't remember his name) then at Harry Brereton's bakery & grocery. Long hours for a 16 yr old but great times on the fair ground every night & concerts at the Pavilion! I stayed with a fellow student (Don Macmaster) at his place, 22 Palace Ave which was the local vets, & it was also a boarding house with lots of young people staying, coming & going. Happy times. Don had a sister, Margaret, a very lovely girl who didn't notice me I'm afraid! I'm still a baker in my place in Woodville, New Zealand, but still think of my time in Rhyl in 1962. Any of the Macmasters still around?
Wed Oct 1 08:26:44 2008
Marilyn, Dukinfield, Cheshire
I lived in Rhosymedre as a child, and our Sunday school trips were always to Rhyl. My dad always booked a week's holiday there for us all too in the 1950s. We went to shows at the Pavilion and saw many famous people there, including Tommy Trinder, the singer Eve Boswell and Danny La Rue. We met Bernie Winters one day on the prom., with his dog Snorbitz. Rhyl was a clean pleasant town then, with nice shops. We saw the first hovercraft launch there too, which was televised. Loved riding bikes around the tracks there. Endless things to do. Loved it. Happy memories. Love reading people's memories of the good old Welsh resort.
Sat Aug 16 15:14:53 2008
Ian Belsham, Tyne and Wear
I am now 60 years and when I was 13 my parents would take my younger sister and myself to stay in caravans in the Robin Hood camp on the coast road. These holidays continued right through the 1960s and were probably the happiest times of my life. I was last in Rhyl in 1969 and would love to go back and see how much the place has changed. The Floral Hall which we always visited has been demolished so I've been told, why I don't know because it was fine tourist attraction. My sister and I often talked about going back for a short stay but unfortunately she passed away last year at 53 due to cancer. I will go back one day. My wife and would love to take our grandchild and my niece to let them see what holidays in a caravan by the sea we used to have.
Wed Jun 18 09:00:00 2008
Trev Trower, Toronto, Canada
Reading through these memories of Rhyl and area brings back happy memories. We moved to Rhyl in 1941 from Plymouth, and I left for Canada in 1952 at the age of 26. We lived for a while in two gypsy caravans in Golden Sands holiday camp, later moved to Sandy Cave. I have only the fondest memory of Rhyl and those times are still vivid in my memory. It would be interesting to exchange emails with anyone from those times and places.
Mon Jun 16 08:28:34 2008
Hayley Jones
I worked at the Derbyshire Miners Holiday Camp in the '80s and met some fabulous people there. I'd love to hear from Mark Walters who was a life guard. It would be lovely to hear from him or anyone who knows him. Thank you.
Mon Jun 9 08:13:33 2008
William Roscoe, Rainhill
I had many visits to Rhyl in my childhood. After about 40 years I called back for a day last year. I could not believe the changes: boarded up hotels, rubbish in the streets, no fairground, the promenade looks like a shanti town; everything has gone. They should have left the place as it was with the old Palace Theatre, the Floral House, the open air baths, gardens and the theatre. They call this progress? Rhyl is finished, I won't be coming back. Have to keep that little resort of my childhood in my memory like many other people so long that little haven of the past called Rhyl...
Tue May 6 08:36:51 2008
Madeline Killick, Kent
I went to stay in Rhyl for almost a year in 1944/5 when the doodlebugs were crashing around us in London. Mum had a cousin whose father had gone with the Ministry of Education to Rhyl, and they offered to have me. Lived in Carlisle Avenue, at the Prestatyn end of town, with a field for donkeys between us and the sands. Can't remember the name of the school, can anyone tell me where it might have been within walking distance. All I recall is being made to knit endless lengths of wool and stitch them into pixie hoods, and trying (not very successfully) to learn some Welsh, and the boys stealing the ribbons off my pigtails which were irreplaceable in the War. Loved the sands and the dunes, except when the wind blew it about; expect it is better contained these days. I remember aircraft flying in just above sea level, and one or two went in I think; some rumours they were practising for the attacks on the German dams - the famous Dambusters.
Tue Feb 19 15:28:56 2008
Roger Hughes, Peterborough
I used to come to my Gran's at Hansworth Crescent, Rhyl, during the school summer holidays. My mum and dad would come the last two weeks. My Gran used to have paying visitors and I used to do the shopping for her. I remember when I was young riding the bicycles on the front and as I remember they were all different types. I had never seen them before or since. The Marine Lake with the steam train was great, I loved it but most of all the horse ride was my favorite. I learned to swim at Rhyl. I can see my mum's face as I jumped in the deep end from a diving board. Parry's corner springs to mind, where I used to catch a toast rack bus in to town to do my Gran's shopping. I always loved my time in Rhyl and hope in the future to visit again, I hope I am not disappointed.
Mon Dec 31 09:02:42 2007
Pete Wright from Folkestone
My family always used to go to Rhyl for summer holidays, apart from the cycleway mentioned above, I can't say I have too many fond memories of Rhyl. There was always plenty of animal muck on the beach to play with! There weren't enough cafes so they were always full, and the streets were never clean. Long live Colwyn Bay!
Mon Oct 8 11:13:35 2007
Ian Roberts
What a great shame the fair in Rhyl is no more. I had many a good time on the fair and on the old rollercoaster, what a shame that Rhyl has fallen from its glory days to the ghost town it is today. Does anyone remember the part where the bowling green is today being a place where you could hire a bike and go round a course? It must have been around 30 years ago. Not quite sure the refurbishment on the front is going to enhance the reputation as there is now nowhere to even sit down unless you fancy sitting on some type of stupid styled chair which are really uncomfortable unless you are under 10. Great memories of a once fine holiday town.
Thu Oct 4 10:49:42 2007
Jill Howell, Wrexham
My parents took us to Rhyl in the 60s for our annual hols and we loved it! We spent every day on the beach, the weather always seemed to be nice and on our last day of our hols we would go to a cafe for our dinner (that was a real treat) and later to the fair. We had candy floss and went on all the rides even if we were scared of them! Good old days and lovely memories of Rhyl. Wish I could do it all again.
Tue Jul 31 09:26:20 2007
Hilary Venecek, Toronto, Canada
I was born in Prestatyn December 30 1947 and went to St Mary's Convent in Rhyl till I was 10 years old. The photo of the junior school that I have is from 1956, not 1957 as previously stated.
Mon Jul 30 08:50:58 2007
Peter Jones from Luton, Beds
I would love to hear from my niece who lived in Rhyl. Her father's name was Nelson Raisey and they had a small guesthouse on the front before they moved to Kimnel Bay and we lost touch.
Mon Jul 30 08:13:29 2007
Hilary Venecek (nee Hughes) Toronto, Canada
WOW, FANTASTIC - North Wales is alive and kicking. My partner and I were in North Wales for 10 days in May. I went to St Mary's Convent until 1957. I was born in 1947. I have an old long and wide black and white photograph of the Junior School with Marjorie Williams and Christine Lewis on it, amongst a lot of people I recognise but cannot name - HELP please. We shall be returning to Rhyl on December 18 to celebrate Christmas with my family. It will be the first time my children have been all together with their cousins etc. We were able to say goodbye to Uncle Tom at the age of 90, just a week before he died. Any old friends out there?
Thu Jul 26 08:37:44 2007
Kelvin, Rhyl
I have grown up in Rhyl all of my 41 yrs. I personally can see it has a bright future, also I am glad my children are growing up here.
Tue Jul 24 08:43:43 2007
Bill Ellis from Rhyl.
Just read the comments from the people all about Rhyl. I'm the local historian and also went to the Convent on Russell Road from 1948 to 1952, then I went to Christ Church. Anyone want to email me please do, still looking for old schoolmates and photos. Cheers! Bill.
Wed Jul 18 08:24:17 2007
Stuart Jones (Rhyl)
Does anyone remember the Queens in its heyday? We are trying to get the Queens restored to how it was in 1902, get the ballroom back, the theatre and of course 'little Venice'. Please e-mail saverhylqueens@aol.com with your stories and if there are any photographs you have these would be great so we could scan then and copy them and put them onto the web site. Thank you.
Tue Jul 10 10:31:21 2007
John from Glasgow
I went to Rhyl with my mates from 1978 - 1984. We travelled down from Glasgow for the "fair fortnight" holidays. I remember the "Orange Peel" and "Kings" discos, also the "Bistro" pub, which had the singer from local Rhyl band "The Alarm", who went on to achieve chart success and quite a big following, working behind the bar. Rhyl was always full of Scousers, which was great, cos, like ouselves, they were all Roxy Music/Bryan Ferry fanatics. Those were great times, I still have a lot of memories from that period. I met loads of great looking girls as well, the English were always stunners :) Sorry to hear it has went downhill. It was a great British holiday resort, in the the true Biblical sense :)
Tue Jun 19 08:16:01 2007
Penny Baird, SW London
I went to St Mary's Convent which, in the 1950's, was run by some delightful nuns. We convent girls had nice manners and were quite conscientious. We had smart uniforms with blue scalloped collars and we wore nylons and a little light make-up. Perhaps this is not generally known. We also used to go out to lunch, not loving school dinners, to the Sports Cafe on the promenade - a small bunch of giggly 14 year old girls. Fantastic days! Rhyl was a very healthy place for children to grow up.
Thu Mar 22 08:13:50 2007
Shelley Poole from Rhyl (Spain)
Hi Val Vines nee Hughes, I can remeber you in my class. I lived at 84 Grosvenor ave. I was also in Mr Williams class where he used to frighten me to death with his temper when you couldn´t answer correctly. Do you remember Miss Parks the needlework teacher? My name is Shelley Poole, I can remember your little cafe as my grandmother had the Poole´s Stores at the top of Queen street. She died only last year at a good old age of 106!! My brother Michael Poole went to Ysgol Lewelyn too. Now I live in Spain and my brother lives in Norway, if anybody can remember us drop me a line as I would love to hear from you. My Dad had a cake and biscuit delivery company which he supplied all the holiday camps including Robin Hood, Maes Gwlym and many more. Can anybody remember the two seater bikes which they had in the old Maes Gwlym? It was on the bend of the old Dyserth road.
Fri Jan 26 11:32:54 2007
Andrew (Philip) Hughes
I lived in Rhyl 1949/1958. Went to St Mary Convent. Was a great place, with all the nuns, Sister Dorothy, only name I can recall.
Remember the Saints days and processions round the grounds though, and having my first communion in the upstairs chapel. And Canon Collins, who lived for a long time after!
Sadly all gone, nuns went to Lowestoft convent, as did my sister Hilary. Also had a really nice photo on myself, brother Paul and Hilary on the seafront on donkeys (was about 3 years old)!. My aunty, Ivy Dickinson, lived at 5 Crescent Road, by Biggs cafe, she also knew Mr Spragg (cafe) at the top. Next to Biggs was the old garage where my grandad Henry Dickinsoon did repairs. I knew the Parker Twins (amusements) as well from St Mary's, but have never seen any one in the last 50 years, how sad? Happy memories of there and also Gronant with the Meldrum family. Will be in Rhyl again in September I hope.
Mon Jan 15 09:33:47 2007
Val Hines, Nottingham
Allan from Devon, my father was caretaker at Ysgol Llewellyn - Mr Hughes - but I am only 55 so I went there 50 years ago. How did you get the 50 year magazine? That would be interesting as it might have photos of my father who passed away in 1988.
Fri Jan 12 12:21:40 2007
Allan Christley and the late Bernice, Devon
Does anyone remember us? We lived in Park Drive. I think we were amongst the first pupils in Ysgol Llywelyn. I have just obtained a copy of the school's 50 year magazine. Very interesting! It's 56 years since I was there!
I would love to hear from anyone who knew us if you would like to email me.
Tue Jan 9 16:38:38 2007
Val Hines [nee Hughes], Nottingham
Lawrence it was great to read your comments. My father did have a stammer so it must have been him that taught you to make all that tea. I hope it has not put you off tea. I have postcards of old Rhyl and some show the little kiosk. Thanks for sharing your memories of my dad as he died in 1988.
Thu Nov 16 08:14:26 2006
Sheley Poole, Rhyl--Dyserth
I can remember your Dad as the school caretaker when Mr Timothy was the head master of Ysgol Llewelyn, I think that you were in my class! We had free milk for break time and on Fridays we all listened to a story on the B.B.C. radio, if you didn't like milk you had orange juice but it cost a threepenny bit...
Tue Nov 14 13:52:10 2006
Steve Booth, Rhyl
It's a shame Rhyl has such a bad name all the ace people still live in Rhyl and it's the holiday makers are the ones that give it such a bad name.
Thu Nov 9 08:44:22 2006
Lawrence
RE: Val Hines (nee Hughes), Nottingham. I think I worked in that kiosk as a teenager. I think it was owned by a family called Smith (Ronnie?). It was situated in between the Roller Skating Rink and the cycling area, close to where they rented deck chairs. This would have been around 1960 I believe. I was working there with a man who may have been your dad. If I remember well he had a rarther pronounced stammer. He taught me how to make tea in five gallon batches. For a 12 year old, carrying enormous buckets of boiling water in such an enclosed space was a formidible experience that has never left me. One slip and we would have both been boiled alive. Trays of teas and biscuits were served to long queues of trippers. No till, just a cardboard box of pennies, sixpences and thruppeny bits. My mental arithmetic got quite good. Let's hope my memory is as reliable.
Tue Oct 31 09:14:10 2006
Phil Greaves
I holidayed in Rhyl in the late 60s in my uncle's caravan in Terfyn Pella on the coast road, I was so taken with the area rather than the north west where we lived. I was delighted when I joined the police in 74 I was posted to Rhyl, now retired and still living in RHYL.
Fri Oct 27 09:52:48 2006
Annette Ford, Craldey Heath, West Midlands
My mum (Linda Gordon nee Edwards) was born and bred in Kingsley Avenue, Rhyl and we moved there after my Dad came out of the army. They met when Dad was stationed at Kimnel Camp. I went to Ysgol Llewelyn and then to Rhyl High. I could not think of a better place to grow up and spend my childhood. I met my husband who comes from the Black Country while he was holidaying in Rhyl and we have been married for 16 years. All my family still lives in Rhyl.
Tue Aug 15 16:09:38 2006
Alan Evans, Birmingham
Does anyone remember Lyons holiday camp late 1940s next door to Robin Hood camp? Holiday accommodation was mainly old buses. Love to see old photos.
Thu Aug 3 11:16:02 2006
Valerie Hines, Nottingham
Jean of Caergwrle - I went to Ysgol Llewelyn from '55 to '62 and enjoyed it very much. My favourite teacher was Mr Williams as he was good looking and funny. We wrote a song about him before we went to grammar school. My father was caretaker and my mum worked in the kitchens. Can you remember Miss Lloyd-Jones in the lower school? My name was Valerie Hughes and my father John Penrhyn Hughes known as Pen.
Mon Jul 24 10:13:17 2006
Jean from Caergwrle
My dad was a Sgt. in Rhyl Police station for about 18 mths, around the early 60s. I loved it there. I went to Ysgol Llewellyn my favourite teacher was Miss Beswick. She took care of me as I was the new girl in school and daughter of the new police man. Our police house backed on to the field of the botanical gardens we used to get under the fence after they locked the gates and have the whole place to ourselves. Later on in the 60s I went to work weekends and holidays in the Savoy Cafe on the front. I had some great times there even though the work was hard.
Wed Jul 5 09:56:07 2006
Althea Waller (nee French)
I am looking for information about St Mary's Convent, Russell Road, Rhyl circa 1956 to 1961, or trying to contact anyone who was a boarder during that period.
Thu Jun 15 14:00:13 2006
Amy Hughes-Dennis from Tyseley,
My dad, Gary Hughes, started going to Towyn/Rhyl with my grandparents and aunt in the late '60s. He has good memories fron Sunnyvale and they had 2 caravans on Abbeyfords until they got ruined in the 1990 floods, just before I was born. Then they bought another caravan on Gaingc View, Towyn, until about 4 years ago when my granddad gave it up. My dad, mom, younger sister and myself still go every year and have done since I was born. We stop on either gaingc view or usually abbeyfords. I love Towyn and have great memories of the seagull pub, knightleys and all of Rhyl. It's just sad to see Rhyl so run down as it is. I've also heard that they are getting rid of the main fair in Rhyl which is going to make it even more quieter and less popular.
Mon Jun 5 09:32:05 2006
Louise, BBC Inside Out North
Are you from the North West? Do you have a holiday home in North Wales, either a caravan, house or cottage? Maybe your family's been coming to North Wales for generations? If so we'd love to hear from you at BBC Inside Out North West. We're producing a television feature about why generations of people from the North West area are attracted to the region and visit regularly. Please contact Louise at BBC Inside Out North West on the telephone number or email below. We’d love to hear from you! Tel. 0161 244 3291. email: insideout.northwest@bbc.co.uk
Mon May 22 15:39:57 2006
PHILIP HUGHES
I was born in Rhyl in 1949 and left there in 1958 to Chester, But had relations in Crescent Road and Handsworth Crescent, I used to take luggage round on a trolley as well from Crescent Road Bus Depot, Saturdays I still visit frequently, but have never seen anyone i used to know! I also remember well the trains and station at the Fair, shame they went! I also remember the skating rink by the old pavilion as well, great times there?? Still have rels in Rhyl but do not see them (shame) would love to retire to there, Fond memeories of !!!
Tue May 2 08:46:09 2006
Tony Cooley, Walsall
My first experience of Rhyl was a day-trip in 1960 when the coach travelled via the Horseshoe Pass. I'd never seen such a dramatic landscape before and, being a nine-year old, worked out in my imagination, how I would escape if the driver lost control and the coach plunged over the edge! The day was hot and sunny and, being from the industrial midlands, it was like being abroad, complete with a foreign language. My brother and I delighted in hiring bikes on the promenade and riding in circles for hours (it seemed) before swapping the bikes for roller skates and then sampling "Hi Hat" ice-cream. Even that seemed exotic! And of course, mom and dad insisted we visited the botanical gardens, which sounded boring until we realised you could play Jungle Jim in there (anyone remember Jungle Jim?). A couple of years later we holidayed for a week in Rhyl with my gran and her second husband. To be honest this holiday was a bit of a let down. I was sick on the coach and then we found the caravan was at the Cefndy Camp which, to me, was 100 miles away from the action. We had to get a bus into Rhyl each day, and it rained most of the time. My enduring memory is one of sitting in the caravan, playing with my Airfix 00 scale 8th Army soldiers (purchased from Woolworths) whilst looking hopefully out at the overcast skies and listening to Frank Ifield singing "I remember you" on the radio. Losing sixpence of my pocket money in a milk machine just about put the lid on it. I didn't bother with Rhyl for a long time after that, but last year me and my wife Linda dropped in on our way to Conwy. I was pleasantly surprised, and impressed by the recent refurbishments. We'll probably come with the grandkids tomorrow (Good Friday). All the best.
Thu Apr 13 13:21:01 2006
Val Hines( nee hughes) Nottingham
I was born in Rhyl in 1951 and loved my childhood. My father was a caretaker at ysgol Llewellyn but during the summer months he worked at a cafe on the prom. He was in a little kiosk at the end of the cafe and people could buy tea with a teapot and cups and saucers to take on the sands. Can anyone remember this? It was next to the cycling area where I used to go on for free because they knew my father. His name was Pen for short - real name John Penryn Hughes.
Sun Mar 12 11:41:07 2006
Allan Biggs, Shrewsbury
We always went to Rhyl on our annual sunday school trip. The two highlights of the day were the steam train around the marine lake and the return journey home over the horseshoe pass.
Tue Feb 7 10:25:16 2006
Lynda Lambert Great Sutton
Hi,
Does anyone have any recollections of the military camp at Towyn? Any info welcome and accepted.
L
Sun Feb 5 22:31:21 2006
Jane, West Midlands
Does anyone have any memories of Cooper's Holday Camp in Gainc Road? It was there in the 1950s/early 1960s.
Wed Feb 1 19:09:35 2006
William Russell Jones Cefn Mawr
I well remember when in the 1960's our Family hired a caravan in Talacre.There were 9 of us in a four berth caravan!We used to take it turns to pile out of the caravan.They were happy days indeed.
Russell from Cefn Mawr.
Thu Jan 19 10:15:01 2006
sandra from birmingham
i came to rhyl for a holiday with my mom my sister and my younger brothers. when we first arrived our reactions were it was amazing. for my brothers it was there first holiday and they loved it they were that happy none of them wanted to leave and since then every year my mom says 'where do you want to go', they always say rhyl - they never choose to go anywhere else and i dont blame them there is so much to do for all age groups.
Wed Jan 18 02:21:29 2006
Shaun Williams Sydney Australia
re : Steve Ratcliffe, Rhyl
I too did a bit of time "caseing" in the late sixties/early seventies
Mon Dec 5 03:36:04 2005
Fred Mckeon
Moved as a child with Mother in 1940 to Towyn, to avoid bombing in Liverpool. Lived on a holiday camp called Browns. Is it still there?
Wed Nov 16 20:41:24 2005
carol brotherton. Manchester
I have a caravan now in Towyn, North Wales. Started going to holiday camps there back in the 50's with my family. Managed to get some old postcards of the area. There doesnt seem to be much information about how camp sites started nor early photos of them I would love to see some.
Sun Oct 23 17:20:39 2005
Anne Henderson , Scotland
I lived in Rhyl untill i was 13 and went to the Emanuel School, like Linda Taylor on this page we moved in 1954. It was a lovely place to live then.
Sorry! Linda, We cannot contact, no email addresses.
Sun Jul 31 18:30:52 2005
Shelagh McGovern,Rockland County, USA
The letter from Steve Ratcliffe made me wonder if he is my nephew?
Fri Jul 29 21:05:09 2005
John Turner, Formby
I remember Rhyl with the fondest of memories. Although now at the tender age of 47 I have vivid memories of the area from childhood to present day. From owning caravans in the marine caravan park to holidys with my parents at Sunny Vale holiday camp. I still travel regularly to Rhyl on my motor bike as my god daughter lives in the town. Don't think they should ever have pulled down the miniature railway station - it was the most famous point in the town in my opinion as just across the road all the coaches from around the country parked up. I am sad to see these days the gradual decline in Rhyl but with hope in my heart it will return to its once former glory.
Fri Feb 25 15:37:10 2005
Lynda Taylor
I lived in Rhyl until I was 13 and I love the place and as far as I'm concerned there is nowhere better to grow up. I would love to contact any one who went to Emmanuel School in the 1950s.
Sun Feb 20 14:22:26 2005
Eric Hughes from Colwyn Bay
Very interesting stuff, could come in useful.
Fri Dec 17 15:01:52 2004
Alan Hammond from Manchester
We had many great years in Rhyl and me and my girlfriend and my kids are going back there next year. My family have some great memories of Rhyl such as the Sun Centre, the fair and the pubs which are really friendly. There are also the shops which cater for everyone from the young to the old.
Sun Oct 31 18:39:13 2004
Steve Ratcliffe, Rhyl
The mention of boys meeting the trains to carry luggage brings back memories. As a young lad in the Sixties, along with dozens of other entrepreneurs, I used to spend my Saturdays meeting trains and coaches to carry luggage all over the area. We would even walk the customers as far as Towyn with the luggage on our prams or homemade carts. We never had a fixed price but relied on the generosity of the punters. We weren't always popular with the taxi drivers though!
Thu Mar 11 13:02:46 2004
We're no longer accepting comments on this page but we still want your stories and memories so get in touch.
As a child I spent many holidays at Rhyl during the late 1930s and 1940s and even in those days my interest in railways drew me to the railway round the lake.
