your comments
Morris Parry, Wrexham
I attended Holywell Grammar School from 1957 to 1961 and remember fondly many of the teachers: Miss Pugh (RI), Mr Carter (History), Mr Lloyd (Maths), Mrs Warburton (Geography) and so on! "Goofy" (lovely gentleman) also attempted to teach me Scripture for my O Level. Johnny Haig took us for General Science and later Jack Roughley, Sammy Daivies and Goronwy Wynne for the three proper sciences. I also was privileged to have had my hair cut many times by Len The Barber! Recently, occasional visits to Holywell have revealed to me how much the town has changed since the fifties. Aah - nostalgia isn't what it used to be!
Tue May 26 08:33:46 2009
Martyn Hughes, Thailand
Good luck and a happy retirement to Len the barber. The best barber of his day (there was only Ellis the bason to compete with). Only kidding Mart. Your dad was a great barber who knew and took care of his customers well. From the little screamers that had to sit on the plank to the old geezers with the Bobby Charlton. Good luck Len.
Thu May 21 09:20:37 2009
Paul Williams, Bermuda
Martin, didn't even know your Dad had retired, thought they'd take him out of the shop in a box. How you doing now? Heard you'd not been well. I'm home on the 1st May, it would be good to hear from you.
Mon Apr 27 09:10:05 2009
Syd Sears
Hello Martyn, Garth Jones retired only recently! I remember him, Cliff Westwood and Chris Whitley, from around 1970, they all encouraged me with gymnastics - Garth had a full innings! I was in contact with the school in connection with work until last year
Wed Apr 22 07:57:47 2009
Peter O'Donnell, C/Quay
Interesting to read comments regarding Holywell football team & also reading comments about Mr Cliff Westwood.I remember when Cliff Westwood played for Holywell Town during the 1950s, probably one of the finest players on the N Wales coast.
Fri Apr 3 08:33:19 2009
Martin Davies, Caerwys
Do people still remember my father, Len the barber, having worked for 50 years on 1 leg? I was a bit upset that not 1 person from Holywell wished him good luck in his retirement. Thank you all.
Mon Mar 23 08:32:44 2009
Tudor Williams
Re: remembering Holywell Grammar School teachers. I attended the school from 1949 to 1954 and had no contact with it after leaving. One day last year whilst shopping in our local Asda store, I saw this familiar gentleman coming towards me who I immediately recognised as Mr Cliff Westwood. Although we hadn't seen or met each other for over 50 years, he said to me "Hello Tudor". Although he had been my favourite teacher at the school, and I used to spend most of my dinner times in the gym, I thought it very impressive of him to remember me out of all the children he must have taught in the intervening years.
Fri Feb 13 09:43:05 2009
Ian Jones from Lincolnshire
In reply to your enquiry about Garth - P.E. he is fine. He retired from Holywell High last July and he has been doing consultancy work part-time. We grew up together and still keep in touch. The last I heard Mr Westwood was still keeping well even though he was beyond his eightieth birthday.
Wed Jan 21 09:39:11 2009
Martyn Hughes, Thailand
I went to the old grammar school before it was cruelly destroyed. Remember 'Harry Bogg', you boneheads? Sure could make your ears red. Anyone know how Garth, P.E. is getting along? Also, Ms Kerry Hughes, English Lit.
Mon Jan 12 09:16:12 2009
Sue, Penyffordd
Somerfield has gone very expensive. A certain item I wanted was 65p dearer there than Asda. Come on Somerfield, drop your prices.
Tue Dec 9 08:48:17 2008
Jean Powell (nee Hughes)
I was at Holyell Grammar from 1960 - 1967 and I remember Goofy, Mr Roberts, who taught Welsh. I'm afraid I wasn't very well behaved in his classes! I also remember Mrs Fletcher and Mr Westwood. Mr Griffiths taught Geography and we all behaved in his classes.
Wed Sep 24 08:06:59 2008
Emlyn, Bristol
Ref Christine Jones enquiry. Yes I remember Matthew Roberts (to give him his real name) he repeatedly told us that the Apostle Paul "Disputed and presuaded" and further "lived in his own hired house (in Rome)" At the time I did not appreciate the depth of his words however I do now! I moved away from the Holywell area in 1964 and when I read the emails on this site I cannot say I have any regrets - Tesco, prices and football etc do not enthrall me! Miss Pugh (English Literature) did and she is one of the teachers of the Grammer who inspired me as did Mr Carter (History). The Head at the time was Mr Sydney Davies, not popular with the boys of General class then but for me, Syd was also to become a role model. I am thankful for the Grammar although sadly I wasted my time then but feel somewhat made up for it later.
Tue Jul 1 08:07:39 2008
Mandy, Holywell
Why is Somerfield so dear? When I put these questions to the store manager and customer service manager their reply was no comment. Is it any wonder they are struggling when you have good cheap food and friendly staff at Lidl and Tesco.
Mon Jun 9 08:10:20 2008
A Hewitt, Greenfield
Estuary Voluntary Car Scheme - 01352 710149
We are the above named charity which is part Flintshire County Council Community Transport and we transport disabled people to any medical appointment. We need to have secure parking in either Holywell or Greenfield; our present parking is with Arquest Ltd which closed down on the 14/03/2008. Without this the charity could have to close down our operations etc. We are appealing to any company in the above area to let us have use of their land for our six vehicles which has secure parking.
Thu May 29 09:07:42 2008
Bernie Baeten, ex Whitford
I remember Goofy, very kind, Stan the maths teacher 1965? Ruth Ashmore, Janet Price? - married a fireman. Sophie married Ruth's brother David. Bob Roberts - getting a poem in the school mag. Now back in Wales after many years.
Fri Apr 18 07:41:32 2008
Mr D Roberts
In response to Ron/Deeside. Can you offer a similar explanation for the rise in residential council tax, over and above inflation, year in, year out?
Thu Apr 10 14:15:04 2008
Gaz, Holywell
In regards to Ron's comments earlier...could anyone tell us what the differences are between the costs of having a small shop in Holywell high street compared to a shop of similar size in Mold or Flint?
Wed Mar 19 15:10:04 2008
Ron from Deeside
I notice a few comments about "Business rates" and the council in the items about Holywell and the new Tesco store. Far be it for me to jump into a Holywell matter but to just put the record right business or non domestic rates to be correct are not set nor given directly to the council they are collected on behalf of the government by the council, together with their own rate, community councils rates and police "rate". They are then distributed to councils on a per capita formula.
Mon Mar 17 09:58:21 2008
Gaz, Holywell
I think the majority of local people are thankful for Tesco arriving at Holywell. The overpriced Somerfield has been for years living on the fact that locals had to drive miles for an alternative, and the new Lidl seemed a good idea, but in reality has lost its novelty very quickly when we realised couldn't do a full shopping trip there. The town centre shops should find a way to attract the new visitors that Tesco will attract and move forward. Take aways, banks and flower shops. Tesco won't be much competition for Holywell town anyway, its already been on edge of dying for years.
Fri Mar 14 08:08:01 2008
Mr D. Roberts
I don't entirely agree that Tesco is bad for the town. What is far more damaging is the high buisness rates imposed by a council who waste money at an alarming rate. For years Somerfield and Kwiks (the same company) held a monopoly over the town. In terms of supermarkets alone, competition is healthy.
Thu Mar 13 08:47:43 2008
Kieron from Holywell
I prefer my supermarkets with a bit of character!
Mon Mar 3 09:08:15 2008
Barry
Everyone said when Lidl came to Holywell 'Oooh, it will kill the town'. Sorry, but after a few weeks more people were coming into town centre than before. YES, let's wait and see, like everything new, once the novelty wears off! Shopkeepers in the town should try to take advantage of Tesco's. What are they going to do, sit there and moan or try to entice peiople into their shops? Medwyn, our town centre manager, is trying his best to help the shopkeepers so why not approach him? Just stop moaning, you're not helping yourselves.
Thu Feb 28 08:50:12 2008
Dave
Went into Tesco the other night, was really looking forward to it. Saw the prices, turned round and went back to Somerfield. I know my place!
Thu Feb 28 08:14:58 2008
Tesco Have Been Here One Week....
Tesco have been open for one week now. And the last week has been the quietest it has been for a good few years (town shop). Is this just a coincidence? Only time will tell. But this town is DEAD! Why can't the council sit back and see this? Do something about the Business rates, something to attract new businesses to the street. Or before long there will be no shops left!
Tue Feb 26 09:37:28 2008
Holywell Town Fan
To Dave. What do you mean that you spend enough time putting up with them in the Cross Vaults in town? I'm sure you agree it's better now that it's all local lads and not lads from all over Flintshire who were only in it for the money! Give them a chance...
Tue Feb 12 14:50:35 2008
Dave, Holywell
You wonder why people don't go to watch Holywell Football team play. To be honest I spend enough time putting up with them in the Cross Vaults in town, never mind going to pay to watch them! People used to go watch as the team were a good bunch of lads who deserved respect.
Fri Feb 8 08:17:09 2008
Nick, Web Team
Will Tesco's store opening be good for business? Holywell Business Newsletter reckons so. What do you think?
Wed Feb 6 11:18:44 2008
Ian Jones from Peterborough
Christine Jones asked on December 31 if anyone remembered certain teachers at Holywell Grammar School. I left in 1963 just before Christine arrived but I can say that I remember Goofy very well. He taught both R.E. and Welsh. He was a lovely man but far too nice to be a teacher. He died many years ago but his son Gareth is and has been a coucillor in Holywell for many years. As regards Ruth Fletcher the P.E. teacher. She died some two years ago. On a more positive note Cliff Westwood the boys' P.E. teacher is still going strong and last year reached his 80th birthday.
Tue Jan 29 09:34:33 2008
Emlyn from Wrexham
Please can anyone tell me where the statue has gone near the top of Holywell hill? I remember as a youngster some of the old Crosville buses had to be pushed up the remaining part of the hill in the Forties by the male passengers. It happened just by the statue.
Mon Jan 28 09:24:06 2008
Theodore
I recently flew over to Holywell to do a little xmas shopping and let me tell you guys, I was seriously impressed. The well balanced mix of retail stores made it a breeze to buy for the whole family. Uncle Chip sure enjoyed his cold kebab, cousin George hasn't stopped playing with the plastic container bought from the town's rich, vibrant market and Daisy May has smoked herself silly with the ten Rizlas for a UK pound. I can't understand why some of you guys think that the local council provide little incentive for outside investment within your quaint town. If you think your business rates are prohibitively high, you should see what it costs over here in the Big Apple. I reckon it is a swell idea to ban all cars from all areas around your mall; it makes for lots of empty space, a welcome change from all the crowds back home and it gives the young folks a safe place to hang out in the evenings. Come on guys, stop complaining and wake up to how lucky you all are. See you all next December.
Tue Jan 22 15:19:20 2008
Doris Jones, Wigan
Anyone remember my mother Gwynedd Jones, Facchalt Farm, Whitford, uncle Emyr Jones or uncle Trevor Jones, aunty Eileen Jones.
Mon Jan 7 11:47:02 2008
Christine Jones (nee Hughes) , Chester.
I attended Holywell Grammar school from 1963-68. Can anyone remember a teacher nicknamed "Goof", he taught RI, also Mrs Fletcher the sports mistress and Mr Ireland who taught geography?
Mon Dec 31 08:33:12 2007
Holywell Town Fan
Why don't the people of Holywell get behind the team? I have been to see them on a numerous occasions over the past few years and the numbers of supporters who go to the games has declined. Why not? OK, they have dropped down a league in recent years, and haven't got the same financial backing as they did when they were in the Konica League of Wales, but the team is now made up of local lads who are proud to be playing for their home team. Next time Holywell are playing at home, why not go down Halkyn Road and cheer them on, believe me, you will not be disappointed.
Tue Nov 13 14:09:38 2007
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