your comments
Martin Burrows, Wrexham
Brian Hughes, I used to work for the Cudworths in Union Street, Wrexham, it was at the back of the Old Tech and at the side of the old lager works. Davis and Mcord Joiners were there also. Arthur ran the company along with his brother Eric. I hope it's the same family. We were a small general engineering company with a welding fitting and blacksmith shop on the site. Arthur, if I am correct, had only one eye and was a keen player of the kettle drums. Eric the older lived in Acton Gate, Garden Village. If I remember correctly Cudworth & Johnson had a foundry in Tuttle Street. You can still see the names in the castings on the grids in the roads. Hope this is of some use.
Wed Nov 26 09:36:43 2008
Sandra Mccluskey from Milan-Italy
How nostalgic to see all the old photos of Wrexham. I was brought up in Wrexham and lived there first in Queens Park then Bright Street, until the late 1960s. Is there anyone who used to go to St Mary's RC schoool in the 50s and 60s? I have so many happy memories of those days, my friends Pat McDaid, Maureen Marpelli, Margaret Gallagher, Anna, Teresa, Gaynor... Oh! so many that I can't name them all. I've still got some of the photos taken when we went to Lourdes. I don't really like the way Wrexham has been modernised. The Odeon's gone, after all the Saturday Matinees I used to go and see, the Beast Market, the fish and chip shop on the corner, the cattle market on Mondays, my dad used to work in the abattoir, so I'd go around the market then pop by to see my dad and all his friends, the funfair that used to come to Wrexham a couple of times a year. I'm leaving busy Milan for a very small village on Lake Garda that "refuses" to be modernised, the foreigners, Germans, Belgians, Dutch, a few French and English, love to come here and wander through the old narrow streets. Why didn't Wrexham do the same thing, what has it got to gain?
Wed Oct 22 10:00:16 2008
Brian Hughes, Prestatyn
My father, Neville Leigh Hughes, left Plas Noble Farm in Sontley at the end of the WW2 to work for Lever Bros covering the Rhyl area. I have several photographs of his life in Wrexham before and during the war which I would be more than happy to share with anyone who can help me find any information about his mother's family who I believe ran the Cudworth and Johnson engineering works. My grandmother was Lena Cudworth. Her brother Arthur and father James were engineers and it's the detail of their lives and involvement with Cudworth & Johnson that I am interested in. My father's brother (Donnie Hughes) also worked in the Wrexham area as a rep for Lever Bros and may well be remembered by the older farming community. I have some lovely photographs of Wrexham farmers and their wives on what seem to be works visits at Lever Bros in Port Sunlight circa 1945. I need to clarify the involvement of my great uncle Arthur or my great grandfather James Cudworth in Cudworth & Johnson. Is Cudworth & Johnson the same site as St Marks Engineering Works? All my internet searches come up with links to train sites? What did they do with trains? Just as confusing to me is why does "The Eagle Foundry" sound familiar? I have no one to ask but the ether so I hope there may be someone out there who can fill in a few gaps in my family history.
Mon Oct 6 08:25:51 2008
Victoria Stockton from the Wirral
Brilliant to see the old photographs, I was wondering if anyone could tell me what happened to Willow Road, my Great Grandfather John Bevan lived there around 1900 and I'd be very interested to know what it was like and if any part of it still remains. I`m also looking for a place called Dog Kennel Hill.
Sat Sep 27 09:31:22 2008
Ken Jones, Wrexham
I too used to live in Trafalgar Road at number 18 in my childhood. I can remember most of the neighbours and I do have some photographs of the street somewhere.
Nick, Web Team: Hi Ken, we'd love to see the photos if you can find them and send them in.
Mon Mar 10 09:39:06 2008
Rosemary Thorne
I have found out that I was born in the Black Boy Pub in Wrexham. That does not seem to exist now. Does anyone remember where it was? Has it changed names? I am coming to Wrexham in the summer and it would be nice to have a starting point.
Tue Mar 4 09:33:43 2008
Mjansen, Dukinfield
I was a student in 1960s in Wrexham and I remember it as being a typically old fashioned market town, albeit a very nice safe town. Good solid shops and buildings, a good bus service too back then and of course a very good cinema which I used to frequent with my friends. Not forgetting the football pitch close to my college. Good old days those. I had occasion to go to Wrexham last year 2007 and was dismayed to see ugly modern buildings there now and some parts of the town seemed a bit jaded. What on earth has happened in the name of progress?
Mon Mar 3 08:36:56 2008
Homesick from Wrecsam
I am 38, and have lived there since I four. It has changed, and not in a good way. I am currently in China for a few months and miss it terribly, I just hope that when I get home that there will not be more of my heritage trashed. It was a lovely town, councillors - please keep it that way!
Mon Feb 25 08:24:37 2008
P Jones, Wrexham
Over the past 30 years I have watched Wrexham change quite dramaticaly and in my opinion not for the better. Wrexham council seem hell bent on destroying everything that made this market town a great place to live. One by one the old shops which we called our town centre have now closed only for the majority of them to be replaced by (wait for it) PUBS and CLUBS. Yes, I know we are having this superduper shopping mall but really, do we need this? The vast majority of people living here will still go to Chester to shop, still get the train to Shrewsbury to shop and the rest will keep the pound shops in business. What a missed opportunity Wrexham Council had. They could of restored the buildings that we already had, invested in the businesses that was our town and turned Wrexham back into a homely, family orientated and friendly place, like it use to be. But no, alas, we are destined to be like every other(knocked down and put up) concrete place in the country that will no doubt become an eyesore in the not to distant future.
Mon Jan 28 08:38:48 2008
Andy, Wrexham
I am currently looking at the history of the former Odeon / Top Rank building on Brook Street, Wrexham, now Liquid and Envy. I am struggling to find pics and and information about the building and keep turning up the same old details. There must be someone out there who has some old pictures of the site during construction or inside the building or even some historical accounts of the building itself. Anything would be a great help.
Mon Jan 21 09:24:06 2008
Erika from Ringwood, Hants
Visited Wrexham lasted year as I am tracing my family tree. My ancestors were drapers and staymakers and lived in Queen St, Hope St, and Yorke St in the 1840s-1860s. Their name was Owen. Would love to know if there are any photos or records of that era. I loved seeing these old photos of Wrexham so I can compare them with the ones I took last year.
Tue Jan 15 08:08:50 2008
Shannon Pugh from Maryland
I found the address 13 Hope St. Rhos Nr Wrexham, Wales (Thomas Jones and Margaret Jane Williams-Jones) while researching my great grandparents. I'm not sure if this is the same Hope St. as on the site, but I sure do enjoy putting images to my family's past. Thanks!
Mon Dec 31 09:35:20 2007
Dylan, Wrexham
Bemoaning Wrexham's fate on this website serves no useful purpose whatsoever, it's too late, the only way you can do anything of value is at the polling booth. Use your vote to change the council, then you can change the policy. At the moment Wrexham Council can and will do anything they want.
Mon Dec 10 08:59:10 2007
Hayley from Wrexham
Wondering if anyone could share some history of the current River Island building. I remember it being Mothercare but no idea what else has been on the site. I currently work there.
Tue Nov 27 09:17:53 2007
Barbara Owen, Wrexham
To John Marshall, California. My mother's family lived in Trafalgar Road, Hightown, and I was born there also. It was a nice friendly place.
Mon Oct 29 09:08:30 2007
D Powell, N. Wales
Fascinating pictures and facts. My first flat, which I rented as a teenager, was in Burton Buildings. Stranger still, it was also rented by my elder sister many years before, without my being aware! Incidentally, I'm convinced it was haunted!
Tue Aug 28 14:28:47 2007
Disgruntled from Wrexham
I read with interest all the comments from people about the 'changing' of Wrexham. I too feel very saddened about the massive iron structures soaring into the sky, blocking all the views, especially the new building at Eagles Meadow. For example, were the people who live around this structure asked for their views on how their lives may change because of this eyesore? Would their property price drop? Do we, as council tax payers, have any say in this matter? I would like the responsible person for this blight on the landscape to stand up and say "Yes, it was my idea!" But then again I don't suppose that person lives anywhere near this new project - possibly lives in the country! Also, I see in the Wrexham Leader that the council have extended the "conservation" area of Wrexham. Whoopy-dee-doo! Could they please put some thought into this next time and reject any plans for metal clad buildings, blue roofs etc. Come on, people of Wrexham, we are living in one of the oldest market towns in North Wales, and we are losing it to clubs, pubs, bars, and mickey metal shopping malls! Perhaps when there is a local election next time, we should be carefully selecting the person to lead Wrexham into the next decade, with care & love of our heritage not someone to make a quick buck and run!
Thu Jul 12 09:33:17 2007
Mark Poulton le Flyde
I was born in Peel Steet in 1970. I would like to know what Bellevue Road, Bradley Road and Ruthin Road looked like some time ago. Thanks.
Mon Jun 4 08:21:10 2007
Andrea of Wrexham
In reply to Catherine McMillan. You are only verbalising what I have said for years. I hate what various councils have done to Wrexham. Even in the 60s there was still some hope for the town but so many lovely buildings have been allowed to be demolished. It all started with the demolition of Acton Hall in the 50s - that building could have been saved and could have been a huge tourist attraction. Wrexham is now just a town full of tin shacks and even more of these warehouse type of structures are going up as I speak on the old Eagle's Meadow. We just don't need all these shops - the town centre is dying but no-one can see it.
Wed Mar 7 08:11:53 2007
Catherine McMillan, Oxfordshire
I have recently visited Wrexham to research my family history and on looking at the old photographs I realise how many wonderful old buildings have been demolished. Why can't the new shopping areas be built to complement the original architecture? Any new buildings should be carefully considered to give a sense of unity and belonging. I live in a town in the Cotswolds where the local Cotswold stone is used and the new buildings don't scream out like an eyesore. The old Zion Methodist church has been knocked down to make way for the new religion 'shopping' and I feel that it is a sad loss. In all I agree with T. Jones's posting. On a brighter note I felt that the Wrexham folk were extremely friendly and helpful and I felt that it was a place that I could feel at home. The people in the library, museum and records and register office were especially helpful. In an earlier posting I mentioned my family living in 'Lampeter Street' and must give it its correct name of Lambpit Street
Fri Feb 16 12:36:31 2007
Norman Burgess, Victoria British Columbia
I spent part of my national service in the Camp in Wrexham with the RWF. I met my future wife, Beryl Matthews, at a dance in the barracks. Her grandparents lived in Hightown. I have a memory of a treat at Beetie (sic) Balls' cafe where she did us the honour of an egg each.
Mon Feb 12 12:10:51 2007
John Marshall from Wrexham. Now California
I loved visiting my hometown via your then and now photos. We were very poor and lived on Trafalgar Road in Hightown. Would sure like to see a picture of that street. Is there anyone still alive in Wrexham who lived on Trafalgar Road. I was poor but loved my childhood there. Do any kids still play Cowboys and Indians or Cops and Robbers? Anyone remember Saturday mornings in the Mickey Mouse Club at the Odeon. My favourite place that has long since gone, Steven's fantastic bakery and cafe. Although I enjoy the luxury life and glorious sunshine of California, there will always be a tender spot in my heart for my dear WREXHAM. Are you still there my good friend, Geoffrey Williams of Victoria Street?
Mon Dec 11 09:48:29 2006
Gwenda Lewis from Bournemouth
How many people today remember Lloyd Williams Store? It was owned by Thomas Lloyd Williams who was my mother's uncle. He came from Bwlchgwyn. When we were evacuated there in 1939 we often visited the store for haberdashery items and after the war my mother bought me my first pair of nylon stockings there - 'under the counter' I'm rather ashamed to say!
Tue Oct 17 08:20:52 2006
Margaret Murray, Shrewsbury
Great grandfather Michael Burke was in business at 2 and 3 Mount Street, and in Yorke Street, in the 1880s. He died in 1923. I am now doing the family history and would welcome any information about the old days in Mount Street. I would also like to contact any Dunbars, Littles, Durkans and Gills in Wrexham.
Mon Aug 14 09:57:27 2006
Gail Williams - London
Really enjoyed looking at the old photos. I was reminded of shopping in the 1950s with my mum. One shop I loved to visit was CD Jones'in Hope St. It was owned by two little old ladies, twins, who even in their old age wore identical coats and hats and were often seen, to my delight, around the town. (celebrities) It was a really old fashioned shop which sold mainly ladies things. As a child, I was fascinated by the overhead wires which ran from the various counters to a single cashier. The shopping assistant would put your payment along with a receipt into a small canister attached to the wire, w! ould pull a handle and it would be sent whizzing overhead to the cashier's box. The cashier would then sort out change if necessary and send it whizzing back.
Shopping over we would occasionally head to Turners fish & chip shop and have a superb plateful of fish & chips or visit the milk bar on Hope St where my mum would have a Horlicks and me, a strawberry milkshake with an ice cream float.
I've not visited Wrexham since my mum died in 1987. The markets were still there then. Now I find that my old school, Yale High no longer exists and those other two institutions Grove park Boys & Girls schools have also bitten the dust.
Wed May 3 12:07:48 2006
jessica edwards from wrexham
hi i lv wrexham
Mon Feb 13 09:31:57 2006
Catherine McMillan, Oxfordshire
My grandparents owned a sweetshop in Lampeter Street in the 1920's. They were Alfred and Amelia Greasley. Does anyone know anything about them or the name of the shop? I believe it is now a hairdressers. My mother (Gertrude Amelia, known as Milly) mentioned with fondness the old market that was knocked down. Any information or memories would be appreciated.
Mon Feb 6 12:23:55 2006
Liz Matthews from Doncaster
My mum's family moved down from Chester to Wrexham, some time early 1900s. Joseph Clegg, her father was a Cattle Drover. My mum and most of her brothers and sisters were born in Wrexham on Dec 31st 1917. Great to see the picture, though we are not that far away I've never been there. Any info about Cattle Droving in the area much appreciated.
Thu Jan 12 10:50:39 2006
Geof Edwards,an ex Wrexhamite.
I
was born in Bright St in 1922,went to school at Victoria Infants and Senior was Captain of the School in 1935-37 Joined Air Force in 1942,posted abroad in 1943 demobbed in 1947,left for Australia in 1957 with my family.Have been back to Wrexham in 1967,1976,1981,1988 and 1993.I always thought Wrexham to be a great place but how it has changed,some good some bad,one of the worst is the destruction of Acton Hall and the proposed building on Acton Park where I spent many happy hours in my youth.With a little good fortune I hope to visit again in 2006.Wish me luck...
Mon Dec 12 05:01:34 2005
G Jones from Wrexham
I loved looking at the photos of old Wrexham, but it would be great to see photos of more recent times like the late 70s and early 80s as Wrexham has changed so much recenty.
Sun Nov 20 00:16:26 2005
Joan Gallagher. Hamilton. Ontario. Canada
I was happy to find your website,we are trying to find members of the Gallagher, Dawson,and Crowe families.We have visited your lovely town twice, and look forward to visiting again. Loved looking at the then and now pictures,and wonder if there are any pictures of Pierces' Square, and Pentrefelin available,we know family lived there in the late eighteen hundreds, and the nineteen hundreds, but they had been demolished when we were there in 1999, and 2001.Will be visiting your website frequently.Thank you. Joan.G.
Tue Oct 11 08:28:07 2005
Vic Wilde, Southport
I recently started to trace my connection to Wrexham, as my dad was born in Egerton Street about 1897. My Grandmother Alice Atherton Wilde nee Bell, from Broughton in Berse Cottage. I wonder if there are any Bells or Wildes living in the Wrexham area currently tracing their family history? I'd love to hear from them. It's a brilliant website
Mon Sep 26 19:45:54 2005
Anne Roberts Stourbridge
I haven't lived in Wrexham for almost 30 years.Enjoyed seeing all the old pictures!
Mon Sep 26 04:45:45 2005
stuart lloyd from wrecsam
Wrecsam is still a good place to live. But the council is guilty of allowing so-called "prestige" develoments to take place without caring too much about what the long term impact on our heritage will be. Island green is a good shopping centre and very functional, but it looks ghastly and the steel buildings will quickly deteriorate and become shabby. Unfortunately it also looks like the lager brewery site is going to be of a similar stamp. There are too many "executive or luxury" 4 & 5 bedroomed houses being built which local people cannot afford. These houses are not built for local people but for affluent outsiders. Executive houses allow the builders to make a quick profit with scant regard for the housing needs of local people...not good! One further gripe (I'm becoming a grumpy old man) is just how many more supermarkets can the town sustain?
Sat Sep 24 09:54:58 2005
Lisa Thorpe from Wrexham
I enjoyed looking at website it helped me alot to understand what Wrexham is all about
Thu Sep 22 12:04:21 2005
John Christopher Jones (true)
Tony Morris, I lived at 10 Mount Street the Dolphin was #8. I used to go in there to visit my friend Clem White. I live in Aussie now and have been happy here since 72. Clem & I used to skate inside the bar on roller skates, fond memories of Cheethams, Durkin and others from Tuttle St, Eagle St and times at Eagles Meadows.
Tue Sep 13 03:27:16 2005
I. Sides from Rhos
I love all the old pictures of Wrexham and if possible I would like to see some of Hope Street in the 1800s. I am building my family tree and an ancestor living in Hope Street was a Coach Maker. His son was a Coach Trimmer. I wondered if the premises where they built would be seen on an old photo.
Wed Aug 31 16:10:55 2005
Tony Small from Flint
To Tony Morris, Chester, I can just remember the Dolphin pub. It was in Mount Street, about halfway along when facing the parish church. It had a tiled front depicting a dolphin.
Thu Aug 4 16:39:10 2005
Laura, Wrexham
It is not bland in Wrexham. Everyone has to move forward, and I for one am proud to live in Wrexham and proud of our heritage. There are far worse places to live so be proud of Wrexham.
Fri Jul 22 22:15:25 2005
k g
I think that Wrexham has changed so much
and I loved seeing all of the changes.
Thu Jul 21 09:45:41 2005
Charlie Lynch from Wrexham
I really enjoyed looking at the photos of old and new Wrexham. It was nice to see how much history has been preserved. Thank you.
Wed Apr 6 18:18:12 2005
Richie
Very interesting photos showing old Wrexham towards new Wrexham. Good point made by Lynn about the old buildings still being about.
Fri Feb 18 12:35:37 2005
Tony Morris Chester.
I am trying to trace a photograph of my Grandads pub 'THE DOLPHIN' which he ran from 1920 to 1926 when he moved to Chester.
His name was Ted Morris and had 2 sons Alf and Harold. It is my uncles 90 birthday soon and I know this would be a wonderful surprise - can anybody help?
Thu Jan 20 15:20:33 2005
Andrea
To concur, yes much of Wrexham has been lost to us historically and what a treasure Acton Hall would have been had it been preserved! Sadly though much of what we have left is being abused by unthinking locals who vomit or urinate on our streets at night, throw chewing gum away anywhere but a waste bin or drop their greasy sausage rolls haphazardly staining our pavements. Come on look around you, can you honestly say Wrexham looks clean and inviting? On another point, I would love to see the facade of St Giles' Parish Church sand-blasted so it can once again dominate the Wrexham skyline.
Tue Nov 16 22:52:05 2004
RACHEL KEEL from WREXHAM
WHAT A WONDERFUL SITE. I WAS BORN IN WREXHAM AND LIVED THERE UNTIL I WAS 20, WHEN I MOVED ABROAD. I HAVE NOT BEEN BACK TO WXM FOR MANY YEARS AND WAS DELIGHTED TO FIND THESE PICTURES WHICH HAVE BROUGHT BACK VIVID MEMORIES FOR ME. MUST AGREE THAT IT WOULD BE GOOD TO HAVE BOTH OLD AND NEW PICS ON THE SAME PAGE THOUGH.
Tue Nov 9 11:22:20 2004
Keith Mitchell from Rhyl
I really enjoyed looking at the photos and seeing how Wrexham has changed.
Being new to the webpage do you have or do you plan any further past and present photos of other towns please? NOTE TO KEITH: We hope so to be able to offer other old photos soon. Regards, NE Wales Web Team.
Thu Sep 23 16:20:26 2004
T. L. Jones, Wrexham
I was born in Wrexham and have lived in the Wrexham area all my life, 78 years. I have been able to observe from close quarters the changes that have taken place over these years. Yes, Wrexham had many buildings worthy of keeping, but sadly they have vanished in the name of modernising. Now the only ones left can be counted on one hand, and in some cases look out of place due to the new around them. It pleases me to see that a fight is being put up to keep the old Hippodrome. It would make an ideal theatre. Living so close to Chester one would have thought they would have followed their example in changing very little, but the damage has been done and we have to live with it.
What amazes me is the number of supermarkets the town has, which has resulted in the old Beast Market area with structures which resemble aircraft hangars. But who knows, in another 78 years someone like me will be bemoaning the fact that they are to be demolished, to make way for a brick made building which is becoming all the fashion. Sadly the blame for Wrexham's partial dismantling has to be laid at the door of a series of local councillors who have agreed to these changes, with little opposition to a council who always thinks it knows best, and always gets its way.
Mon Sep 13 11:16:34 2004
Adrian from Wrexham
Great to see the contrast of the old Wrexham with the new, and I would enjoy more of the same if it at all possible. It is interesting to see the history of my home town and the changes it's undertook.
Sun Sep 12 13:17:43 2004
B Little, from Buckley
Pity you can't see "then and now" on the same page to make comparisons easier.
Sun Aug 1 00:02:18 2004
Jonathan Gammond from Wrexham Museum
It is great to read the comments by people who have looked at the Then & Now postcards. If everyone takes more interest in the heritage of Wrexham, we'll be halfway there to securing it. Wrexham faces the same threats as every town - short term gain against long term loss. Just by walking around the town you can see success stories like the redevelopment of Soames's Brewery and missed opportunities like the demolition of the Cambrian Brewery. Other parts of the town's heritage lie in the balance: the old Hippodrome, Wrexham Lager Brewery, and now the Racecourse. Let's hope we can build on our heritage, rather than build over it!
Wed Jun 2 19:02:31 2004
Anon
Wrexham seems to have ignored its own heritage. I agree with Paul's statement about the new buildings. It does make the town look bland.
Rather than knock down our history, why not renovate it? Celebrate it in its glory.
How are we going to bring visitors to Wrexham if the only cultural heritage we have lies is our parish church. I like to look at pictures of how our town was, before it was taken over from a vast array of bargain shops and too many pubs.
The essence has been taken away for monetary gain rather historical values.
Sun Apr 4 16:44:54 2004
Lynn
In response to Paul's comment: if you look closely the old buildings are still there just with a modern frontage on them! Look up and you will see. We may not be as showy as Chester but we still try to preserve what dignity we have and also move with the times.
Tue Mar 30 15:35:47 2004
Paul
I think these old photos are amazing but sad too - Wrexham's architectural heritage seems to have been pretty much wiped out by bland modern buildings. Contrast that to the amount of time, effort and money that is spent in Chester, preserving the heritage of the buildings there. These photos prove that Wrexham had, in its own way, its fair share of interesting old buildings.
Thu Mar 25 17:30:05 2004
G Walker from Wrexham
I really enjoyed looking at the photos and seeing how Wrexham has changed. I do hope you can put some more on very soon.
Sat Mar 13 21:27:52 2004
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