David Dart from Stafford
I have many fond memories of the Pier having spent the first 20 years of my life in Llysfaen and also being a pupil at the grammar school. I remember, in the late 50s, there was a wonderful Cricket Game on the left of the Pier, just after passing the main entrance. It was about the size of a modern flipper machine and contained 11 fielders and 2 batsmen. After inserting a coin, a silver ball popped up by the bowler's arm and you then moved a lever to bowl it towards the batsmen. Another lever moved the bat. All players were made of metal and I'm sure had white cricket kit. Do you have any news of what happened to this pleasant memory from my distant youth?
Wed Aug 6 09:52:53 2008

Shelagh Fanning Manchester
I too remember the thatched roof in Eirias Park and the horses under the pier, I loved them so much. I went with my family to Colwyn Bay from being a baby for holidays every year until I was 16. Now I am 52 and take my daughter who is 8, every year and she loves it just as much as I do. It would be wonderful to see the pier returned to its former glory.
Fri Apr 11 09:21:59 2008

Rob Kennedy, Brighton
Since the powers that be cut the town off from its greatest asset (the pier & the sea) with a great big thunderous monster of an A55, wiping out our fairground & replacing it with those concrete underpasses, it's hard to visualise the place where I saw The Specials, Motorhead, Elvis Costello, Slade, and my (then) band Tokyo Rose supported The Tygers Of Pan Tang & Bernie Torme. I sang House of the Rising Sun with Splodgenessabounds and got covered in spit. Badger Bells Blues Band anyone? As I now live in Brighton I am all too familiar with pier disasters and sincerely hope that Victoria pier will not see the same disgraceful fate as our West Pier did. If the ballroom is still intact then I should be delighted if my current band Weird Load could play there WHEN restoration is completed (check us out on myspace). Good luck Steve, I'm behind you all the way.
Wed Nov 21 09:31:52 2007

Frank Hughes from Cardiff
I was born in Colwyn Bay in the 50s and my grandmother was a waitress on the pier in the 30-40s. I have wonderful memories on the pier, I used to enter the talent contests, night fishing if you climbed over the gate after 10pm, badminton competitions. I met my wife for first time at a dance on the pier. If it goes beyond repair it will be gone forever and the history of the pier will never be replaced. It makes me mad to think the monies wasted over the years by the council on projects that have never lasted. If the pier was completely renovated it would last another 100 years and bring money and work into the town with shows and exibitions.
Mon Sep 24 11:39:55 2007

Karen Barker, Colorado
I lived in Colwyn Bay in the early 70s and as a teenager I spent many a Sat night dancing at the Pier. They always had fantastic music and the guys were all hot! Such a unique place and so very few left. It is a landmark in my heart. I visit Colwyn Bay every couple of years and visit a childhood chum.
Thu May 10 09:21:25 2007

Lynne, Stockport
I spent many happy hours in the Dixieland on the pier watching some good performers, Martha Reeves and the Vandellas, Elvis Costello, La Belle Epoch, Slade and that former radio presenter guy with a beard that came on dressed as Darth Vader - great laugh - plus the half price Pernod nights.
Mon Apr 2 09:56:25 2007

Elwyn Jones, ex-Colwyn Bay
A big pat on the back to Steve for resurrecting the Pier, I will certainly pop in when I'm back home. I remember fishing at the end of the pier, with Georgie Bull and Jimmy Turner. I remember the boards being taken up. when they eventually put the boards back we used to wait until the attendant left at 10pm and nipped over the gates. We used to go under the Pier in the early morning and collect the pennies that had fallen through the gaps in the planks from the gaming machines above.
Fri Mar 16 10:46:36 2007

Carla Rowland-Tims, Naples, Italy
I was brought up in Rhos, my father was an amateur actor/singer and took the star role in many local musicals, using the stage name Carl de Winton. He was also a briliant pianist/organist and I remember he used to play on the Pier on Saturday evenings, must have been in the 50s-60s. I moved to Italy nearly 37 years ago but try to vist Colwyn Bay once a year to stay with friends, always a very nostalgic time! I can't wait to see the "New Pier". Good luck
Tue Mar 13 11:18:44 2007

D Morgan formerly Rhos, now USA
I was one of the girls who worked the horses giving rides by the pier every day during the summer. We used to shelter under the pier when it rained - it evokes memories of the cold of being under the pier, the barnacles stuck to the metal, the smell of wet horse and leather, smoking crafty cigs, and hoping it would keep raining so we could go home! I hope it is possible to restore it. Looks very rickety now!
Wed Feb 28 09:26:56 2007

Richard Davies - Peterborough
Having spent all of my youth in Colwyn Bay I have great memories of walking the girders under the pier and at a later age going to the disco/dances on the pier. I wish you good luck with the pier Steve, it is certainly a brave move and I hope you get financial help from somewhere. I'm sure you know best, the condition of the pier and whether is is viable to re-build or demolish and start again. Either way, Colwyn Bay would not be the same without a pier. The council could also do with injecting some money into the town as it seems to be falling behind in development compared to other local towns.
Thu Jan 4 09:32:01 2007

Terry Keogh (formerly Colwyn Bay)
As a youngster growing up in the Bay in the 1940-1950s I always dreamt of going to sea. The nearest I could get to being on the wide open oceans and the deck of an ocean going vessel, was to walk along the pier and experience the many changing faces and moods of the rising tide and the winter storm surges that came all the way from the artic. There were days when you found wide-eyed seals gazing up at you, and sometimes dolphins blown inshore by the winter gales. And how can I ever forget the moonlight - midnight fishing expeditions, when the tall iron gates were locked and no one seemed to object to your presence. To be out there at the end of the pier on a moonlit night, to hear the chimes from St Paul's marking the passing of so many happy hours, and to hear the Irish Mail passing through the station in a cloud of steam and glow of fire, snatching up the mail bags hanging on their gallows for delivery in London and Birmingham in the morning, is an unforgettable memory. The pier was a place of magic and mystery where your imagination could take you anywhere you liked. The Pier is an indelible defining element in the psyche of Colwyn Bay. It is for me my pier of dreams.
Wed Nov 8 10:11:48 2006

Keith Bray from Ashton-under-Lyne
Lived in Rhos-on-Sea 1965-1970, never away from the pier, won my first angling comp on there. We have a drive out every couple of months for a trip to Rhos and the pier, both of which hold some very fond memories for me, can't beat a walk along the prom to the pier thinking of the good times I had. Anyway good luck with your project Steve, it would be nice to see the pier in all it's glory again.
Mon Oct 16 09:41:31 2006

Paul G Flear from Brinsworth Rotherham
I have very very happy memories of the pier. My parents and myself spent over 30 years going to North Wales. We went to Colwyn Bay many times in the 60s, 70s and 80s. The last ten years staying in Colwyn Bay. The Pier must be saved at all costs.

I remember Rhyl Pier and how it was left to rack and ruin until it was demolished. Piers are a unique British tradition. I wish all the best luck to everyone concerned with the project and on behalf of millions of happy holidaymakers of the past sincere thanks to Steve Hunt for showing faith and hope for the Pier and it's future!
Fri Oct 13 09:48:02 2006

Graham Ingham, Manchester
Steve, I agree about the 70s building at the front of the pier, bring back the turnstiles! In the sixties the pier was part of a magical place for a childhood holiday. I remember one summer when the Beatles "rain" was everywhere, from speakers under the thatched (yes THATCHED) roof of Eirias Park boathouse, the pier itself and a thousand transistor radios. One of the girls in charge of the horses at the side of the pier winked and smiled at me, causing a 13-year old to take up permanent vigil on the pier to gaze in adoration at the cause of my hormone explosion!
Wed Sep 20 09:41:30 2006

Mike Conway, Wrexham
I have very fond memories of the pier; in the mid 40/50s, we used to fish, but had to cross on open girders because the boards had been lifted for about 30 yards half way up the pier, in case of invaders (war time) also when the tide went out, we could walk out on the sand to end of pier, where we used to seek all kinds of things, which had latched onto big nets, which had been hung to the girders, to protect against mines, we are told.
Fri Sep 1 14:46:46 2006

Frances Fisher, York
My dad Peter Yates was entertainments manager for Colwyn Bay 1963-1968. One of his offices was on the pier. I went to work with him every Saturday morning there. I learned to type there and always got chips from the cafe for lunch. I remember trying out all the attractions including the mechanical elephant and penny farthing bikes! We always held a concert on Boxing Day for the local children. There were many talent shows, fancy dress competitions, and bingo for the old folks throughout the year. This was before Dixieland. When that came I used to hide backstage and watch the acts coming and going. I remember Dad introducing some of the acts, and he always looked handsome in his dinner jacket and black tie. He also managed Eirias Park, the Rhos swimming pool, Prince of Wales theatre, the runaround prom buses, amongst other things. Colwyn Bay was a beautiful place to come for a holiday in the 60s. As you can imagine, my childhood was idyllic, as was that of my four brothers. I now live in York, but two brothers remain in the area and when I visit I am filled with nostalgia at the sight of 'my old pier'.
Fri Jul 28 11:06:09 2006

Dilys Bandtock (nee Williams )
Keith Roberts took the words right out of my mouth, what a crying shame to hear that the wonderful Pier is deteriorating. In 1954 I sang and danced in the pier with Jimmy Clark and his Band & Nora Hockey and her Dancing School. And how many of you remember Bob Williams and his pantomimes, what fabulous times we had and lots of very happy memories. Just wish I had the money to restore it to all its glory. I was born in Colwyn Bay and went to Old Colwyn Council School and Pendorlan, I now live in Adelaide South Australia and have done since 1969.
Thu Jul 20 10:05:18 2006

Steve - Victoria Pier owner
It is indeed a disgrace that no help is forthcoming from either national or local government - but what can you do? The best thing people can do is write to them and express your views and vote them out if they don't respond! If they think that their jobs are on the line they might just do something. In response to fund-raising queries, we have a Brass Plaque scheme similar to that used at nearby Bangor Pier, and indeed many other piers around the country. We've been very busy over winter improving facilities at the Pier, and now the weather is finally turning, we should be back at work on the outside again within a few weeks.
Tue Apr 18 10:16:14 2006

Pat Rowland, Llandudno Junction
How sad it would be if the old pier was pulled down. I used to spend many a happy day on the pier when I was young, and in it's hey day it was lovely. The British Legion Conwy used to hold the children's Xmas parties there and a great time was had by all. Too many of these old piers are disappearing nowadays, surely some money from the lottery would help, if only you could get some. When I grew up I used to go dancing there and would nearly get blown away on a Winters night when it was time to go home as it was so windy. Happy days.
Mon Apr 3 10:51:33 2006

Hughesy
I was at the pier 2 weeks ago on a dance night, there were over 300 people there and it was a brilliant night, let's hope it keeps getting better.
Tue Mar 28 12:57:58 2006

Will Rankin, Uxbridge
I went past the pier on the train last weekend, and thought how tragic it was that such a once grand and iconic looking structure had fallen into disrepair. Clearly, a lot of people want the old pier to stay. I think the Government should help restoration, or how about a National Lottery Grant? It's a shame the costs may prohibit full restoration.
Fri Mar 3 10:46:29 2006

Cohen from Llandudno
There is always a danger of it becoming a fire hazard. If a fire breaks out that separates you from land you are pretty much trapped. It has already had a fire in 1922 that killed many people including trained firemen.
Thu Jan 26 09:42:44 2006

Joy Purslow, West Midlands
Used to bring my four children on holiday to Colwyn-Bay every year, then my grandchildren. My mom and dad brought me when I was young too. Many happy hours spent on the pier and also the little amusement park under the railway bridge It would be a vast improvement if the pier was restored and used again.

My son was killed two years ago age 39 and the one picture I really treasure is us sitting on a deck chair close by the pier on the beach.
Sun Sep 4 14:57:55 2005

Carol Roberts, Colwyn Bay
I remember seeing Elvis Costello at the Pier in the late 70s and boy did those floorboards bounce!
Wed Aug 31 22:57:13 2005

Barbara Vaughan from the Lakes
I am delighted to hear that you have taken on the pier. I grew up there as my Mum, Hilda Vaughan, managed the place for several years from the end of the 60s through the early 70s. My Mum worked from 9am through to 3am each day - dedication to a job and to us kids whom she brought up single handed. We learned to 'duck' at the pier, washed millions of glasses, bottled up worked in the kitchens and earned tons of money on the 'Cloaks' - happy days - too young to have a pint, but a great place to grow up.

We also worked in the Golden Goose and in the small arcade at the end of the pier - a scary place to be on your own on a windy summer day. We met loads of smashing people, learned a lot more than most about life and how things were done.

Danced until dawn both inside and outside on the pier - fell in and out of love from afar with the artistes.

Memories of the pier are pretty good, it was owned at the time by the Forte's however, when my Dad was alive he worked for the Council Treasurers Dept and he used to call at the pier to collect the money and I remember there being a lovely green and white entrance with a ticket office and turnstiles and cos my dad was who he was we used to get in for nothing.

I wish you all the very best in the world with the venture.
Fri Aug 26 22:52:42 2005