your comments
Rosemary (nee. Hicks) Ont. Canada
Memories of Belgrano Estate, Abergele in the early l940s. Lived in Seafield Drive. A great place to grow up... fields to play in, the beach just across the road, and looking back, the sun was always shining!
Mon Aug 3 09:42:10 2009
Bob McGregor, Ruthin
REF: "No Roman villa has ever been found in North Wales". Roman villas have been found in Ruthin and Ffrith [Prestatyn].
Tue Jul 28 13:35:06 2009
Ed Jones, Northampton
Is it true that the council are allowing a traveller site to be built in Abergele?
Tue Jul 14 09:10:01 2009
Delyth MacRae, Abergele
Merrick, I have written instructions for the Airlyne Rug machine, if you would like to contact Abergele Town Council through their website they can be forwarded on to you.
Tue Jun 23 09:11:39 2009
Merrick Nacinovich, Sydney, Australia
I recently uncovered an 'Airlyne' Home Rug Maker amongst my long deceased father's effects. It must be about 60 years old and I understand at the time its invention put Abergele on the map. I have faint recollections of my father making rugs with it and I would dearly love to have a go at using the thing. My problem is there are no surviving written instructions. I've been scouring the internet without success which surprises me, as it's such a simple yet seemingly practical piece of ingenuity, I thought it would have spawned many look alikes. But this is not the case, so I'm wondering whether your local resources harbour any information on this machine. Can you help or point me in the right direction?
Fri Jun 5 09:12:42 2009
David Barnard from Aberdare
1914 hairdresser? When William Harold Davies from Castle View, Pensarn, enlisted in 1914 he gave his occupation as hairdressing. What should I read into this? Would it have been a back-yard occupation or would there be specific hairdressing salons? Would he be self-taught or would he have been an apprentice?
Fri May 29 11:00:42 2009
Ed Jones, Northampton
Andrew Grierson, The first evidence of Roman settlement in Abergele is the Y chromosome found in males from Abergele, which is one of the few places that has a North African Genome. This is from the Roman soldiers garrisoned in Abergele who hailed from Africa rather than Italy. There's info re this online, just google it.To the west of the town is a village called Llanddulas. As you approach Llanddulas from Abergele you can see a cave to the left (called Cefn Yr Ogof), above the cave there is evidence of a Roman hill fort. There have been a few artefacts found here, but the finds have been minimal.As you stand on the hill and look out to sea you can see a very straight line which is believed to have been a Roman road, this however is speculative. There could be some truth to it though, as it is a known fact that the seashore did lie a few miles north of where we know it today. No Roman villa has ever been found in North Wales, which is unusual for a Roman occupied area. One can't help but wonder if it may also have been taken by the sea.
Thu May 14 14:26:26 2009
Andrew Grierson
Many web pages describe Abergele as a Roman trading town. Does anyone know what evidence there is for this? Or a published work that I could refer to?
Thu Apr 16 09:37:07 2009
Maureen John, Holyhead
To Bill Walsh, New Zealand. Try the Clwyd Family History Society website. They have free access to BMD records from 1837. Good luck with your research.
Thu Apr 9 16:20:23 2009
Bob Seal (Australia)
I spent my childhood holidays at Abergele in the 1960s and remember an amusement arcade that had automaton boxes where you could place a coin and the 3D scene would come to life. I spent all my holiday money captivated by these machines. Does anyone know what happened to them and who owned them?
Thu Apr 9 09:08:29 2009
Sarah Jane, Rhuddlan
Does anyone have any information about a post office in Pensarn? Where was it located around 1900?
Mon Mar 23 10:02:50 2009
Bill Walsh, Auckland, New Zealand.
I am trying to trace a bit of our family history. I believe that my great grandma was born in Abergele about 1869. Can some good person point me in the right direction where I can ask a few questions to find out more? Is there a local history society which may help?
Thu Mar 19 11:13:48 2009
Celia Costello from Lancashire
Speaking on behalf of my relative, an Abergele resident, are there any activities in the town she can take part in during the day? Like many senior citizens she doesn't feel comfortable venturing out after dark.
Tue Jan 13 15:57:04 2009
Christine Skilton from York
Can anybody tell me the history of Bryn Tirion Terrace on Llanfair road?
Fri Jan 9 09:42:00 2009
Mickey Guy, Manchester
Does anyone know where I can obtain pictures of Abergele Chest Hospital from 1940s onwards, exspecially late 40s early 50s, either on the web or anywhere else?
Fri Jan 9 09:40:54 2009
David Barnard from Aberdare
Many thanks Nigel, that's a great help.I've since consulted the 1918-19 electoral registers and found several members of the family at Castle View.
Mon Nov 24 14:39:09 2008
janet coleman Norfolk
To Anne Clarke, Brisbane. I spotted the reference to Alice Grace James of Abergele, and Samuel Arthur James. I have these names on the marriage Cert. of Shephard Thomas Taylor and Catherine Ann James in Abergele in 1889. Would Catherine be Alice's sister? It may be a wild goose chase!
Mon Oct 13 09:56:59 2008
Nigel Hilton from Abergele
David Barnard may be pleased to know that a property by the name of Castle View still exists in Pensarn to this day, which I believe is the original building, albeit somewhat modernised. The 1881 Census (RG1/5531/34 page 15) shows a Susannah Morris living in Castle View House, Castle View Cottage next door being unoccupied. By looking at previous and following properties, one can get a feel for the Enumerator's route. I then looked at copies of 1872 and 1912 maps to compare with existing properties. I believe the house and cottage may have been combined to form the modernday Castle View.If 'Castle View, Station Road, Pensarn' is entered into Google's mapping, the satellite view actually points to Elwy Cottage. Castle View is the northern-most (longer) of the two buildings to the left of it, backing onto the car park. Any help?
Thu Oct 2 16:11:35 2008
David Barnard from Aberdare
When my wife's great-aunt Fanny Davies got married, she gave her address as Castle View, Pensarn, Abergele. In fact, the family had been living there in 1901; Fanny's father, William, was a joiner.Assuming Castle View no longer exists, can anyone say where it would have been and when it disappeared?
Fri Aug 29 13:39:01 2008
Nigel Hilton from Abergele
Mick from Crewe: Until the late 1960s or early 1970s, there was a single line siding which ran behind the Pensarn station buildings; those nearest to the sea. This would nowadays be between those buildings and the coastal cycle-way/path. To my recollection, there were around 6 or 8 old-style carriages (with rotating roof ventilators) permanently sited on that siding. They were there from at least the 1950's when I was a youngster. Each was painted pale green and cream with a grey roof and were used as 'camping chalet' style accommodation. Don't know when they were removed - possibly when the station was revamped and the covered footbridge from the main ticket office to the 'Chester' platform was demolished. Does this help?
Wed Jun 18 10:45:54 2008
Mick from Crewe
HiSomebody was telling me about Railway carriages used as caravans in the Pensarn Railway Station area, back og Birds Caravan park they tell me any info or pictures?
Mon Jun 16 13:52:57 2008
Deanna, Abergele
Hi Delyth of Abergele,Thanks so much for the information on Belgrano. The pieces you gave now complete the puzzle.Any idea if there are any pictures?
Wed Jun 11 09:53:14 2008
KAREN /OLD COLWYN
Message for Rod Caird in regards to the King coming to Abergele. it was the Duke of Gloucester.I remember my granny telling me,she stood on outside the Nat West bank in Abergele
Wed Apr 9 11:47:28 2008
Karen , Old Colwyn
Delyth, thanks for the reply about St George Post Office. It's really nice to know that you remember my Gran and Grandad. I still go up to the village to visit the church from time to time, that place has never changed. You are right about my Grandad's veg/flowers and the hatch my Grandmother had to serve her customers.
Mon Apr 7 09:37:38 2008
Delyth, Abergele
I remember your Grandparents well at Mile End Post office. Strangely enough we were talking about it the other day with fond memories of the small hatch into the front room. Your grandfather was a great gardener and took great pride in his vegetable and dahlias.
Thu Apr 3 09:41:08 2008
Karen Abbott Old Colwyn
Does anyone remember the post office in St George? for many many years my granmother was the postmistress, Mrs Davies.
Wed Apr 2 09:53:31 2008
Bryan Jones Hazel Grove
Are there any past members of the Abergele RWF army cadet force band still in existence? I was Band Sergeant for a period in the 1940s. We had a good drum and bugle band and paraded for many functions and events in and around Abergele. Would love to hear from any past members.
Mon Mar 10 10:08:22 2008
Nigel Hilton from Abergele
To Val - the only photos I've been able to find of Peel Street are the 2 on the Memory Lane page of this site, but other readers may know of others. A Google image search will bring up a lot more Abergele pictures from various years or have a look at the Francis Frith website. The Hesketh Arms/Hotel building still exists, albeit in a different guise these days. Not sure when it ceased to be a public house/hotel, though I understood that it was only in fairly recent years, certainly after the 1970's. Have you tried searching 'ancestry' type websites that have passenger lists on them C to see if you can find your great aunt's name?
The only books on Abergele, to my knowledge, are 'A History of Abergele & District' by J R Ellis published in 1948 and 'Abergele - The Story of a Parish' by Ellis Wynne Williams published in 1968. Your local library may be able to locate copies of either or both for you due to their limited print runs.Hope this helps.
Mon Mar 3 12:37:36 2008
Anne Clarke, Brisbane, Australia
Thank you to Nigel and Julie for their replies to my queries. I will be visiting Abergele with my husband on June 7th and 8th, 2008. I am hoping to search records to check births, marriages etc of my Great,Great Grandfather Samuel James and Llewelyn Aled Jones who married Samuel's daughter Alice Grace. Any information on how and where best to search would be appreciated. With thanks, from a very hot 38C Brisbane, Australia.
Mon Feb 25 09:19:38 2008
h hughes
Please could anyone help me with info on a property in George Street - it's a three storey block of flats now called Bron Felin.
Mon Feb 18 10:06:52 2008
val donovan
Nigel Hilton from Abergele, thanks so much for your reply - any idea where i might see a picture of this. It also helps me knowing the date it was demolished as I am still looking for any details of my great aunt who worked there. she was there in 1901 re the census, but went to Pattagonia, am wondering if she was there when it closed down if she was it means still have her in Abergele in 1910 the owner was a mary owen, Any other info would be great.
Wed Feb 6 10:01:28 2008
Jodie Gallagher, Nottingham
I'm thinking of having a short break in Abergele in a few weeks. What's it like in the eyes of a three year old?How far to a beach etc? Thank you.
Wed Jan 30 09:33:15 2008
Nigel Hilton from Abergele
To Raymond from Rhyl - After all these years, sadly I've forgotten many of the names of our former neighbours in the street. Would I be correct in saying that Bill & Myra (Wilkinson) Jones (No.23) were your family? I've been looking back through old Electoral Rolls and found there were also a David & Myra Jones at No.21 and a Tom & Sarah at No.19. We lived at No.25 and I used to hang around with Rob Williams, son of Emyr & Dorothy from No.27 next door. Rob's brother, David (Dai) Morris was nearer my older brother's age. Others that come to mind were Ted Robinson and his sister from down the street at No.14. I seem to recall that when I was in Junior School (next to the Library nowadays) one of our neighbour's daughters died following a short illness. She was one of about 3 or 4 children, mainly girls - were they from No.21? It would have been about 1957-58 and our class in school were all very sad at that time, as she was such a nice girl and of a similar age to us then. Can you remember the names of any of the other children in the street?
Wed Jan 23 09:10:56 2008
Carly and Laura
we are local youths of the town, and we are very happy to tell you about the night life of abergele and any other questions of day to day life.
Tue Jan 8 09:10:58 2008
Raymond Jones, Rhyl
To Nigel Hilton, I was your neighbour in Peel Street, we shared the standpipe between our homes.
Mon Dec 31 09:28:56 2007
Su Smith, Abergele
Kinmel Hall as Clarendon mansion is now called, is unfortunately now deralict and up for sale (or at least is was until recently) somewhere in the region of £10million!!!! It's still a very impressive place.
Fri Nov 23 09:37:56 2007
Althea John, Neath
Could anyone tell me if there are records for Kinmel School, Abergele, in 1930. Was it a boarding school?
Mon Nov 12 10:33:44 2007
Rod Caird, Greasby, Wirral
In eary summer of 1944 I was 8 years old and deemed to be underweight and height for my age.I was sent by the Liverpool children's welfare to a convalescent home in Abergele to "gain height and weight". I remember the house was large with at least 3 floors. The rules were very strict and parents were not allowed to visit. Our weekly treat on a Friday after tea was to line up in front of matron and select one sweet from a large tin! I also remember there was a field nearby with soldiers camped in tents. We would walk past them on our way to the beach for our daily walk. One day there was a big parade with a man in uniform standing up in an open car and being cheered by the people. Someone said it was the king, but I never found out for sure. The next day all the soldiers left and I think it was just before D Day. After six months, and with only a good sun tan to show for my stay, I went back home to Liverpool.Can anyone remember this house and where it was and tell me anything about who ran it?
Fri Sep 28 14:32:51 2007
Delyth, Abergele
In answer to Deanne's question re Belgrano. This is an extract from a published article written by Fred Roberts of Abergele in 1994.'Edward Thomas of Wallasey in 1932 obtained land from his brother in law, Captin Roberts and built Belgrano, and the housing estate now known as Holland Drive is named in honour of his wife whose maiden name it was and she was one of the Hollands of Ruthin.'
Wed Jun 20 09:35:33 2007
Maggie Foster, SPAIN
Belgrano is a lake and a city, also, in Provincia de Santa Fe, Argentina. Manuel Belgrano, was an Army General, who was a "vocal" in the First Argentinian Government, when they got independence from Spain.
Wed Jun 13 14:29:37 2007
Deanna Harford, Belgrano, Abergele
Just trying to find out more about Belgrano, Holland Drive etc, the older part. I gather it was built around the early 1930s but I'm not sure. Maps are few and far between for this period. Also it may have been known as Ty-Coch or Ty-Gwyn? Anyone help?
Web team: We've been trying to find the origins of the name Belgrano and have just found that in the Notes and Queries section in The Guardian (11/2/91)
Vernon Hughes of Abergele wrote: "In 1930 a captain Robert Roberts retired, built a house in the area and called it Belgrano. No one knows for sure, but it may have been after a small port in Argentina or a small village in Spain which he sailed past and thought idyllic."
We'd love to hear more about this.
Fri Jun 8 10:35:37 2007
