your comments
Susie from Bristol
I've been coming to Llandudno with my family since I was born. We stayed in my grandma's house in Gloddaeth Ave. She was Doris Catlin and was the wife of Will Catlin. Diehard Llandudno lovers will know that name! I have amazing memories of Catlin's Showtime at the Arcadia, though sadly grandad died before I was born. Doris carried on with the shows and, I think, sold the theatre a few years later. From a young age I fell for the windswept beaches, breathless walks to the Orme summit, the baying donkeys behind the house in Gloddaeth Ave, and the sublime Sunshine Cafe on a summer's day. I could write about it all day!
Wed Jul 22 09:52:48 2009
Clive Sweet from Georgia, USA
Hi Chris and Jack Thorley. I'm in the USA, soon to be going back to Wales to live for good. I've missed it. Where have all the years gone? It only seems like yesterday that I knew you and your sister Carol, when I used to go to your house, most of us hung around Billy Macs in those days, he was like an uncle to everybody, he was a great guy. A monument should be put up in his memory.
Mon Jul 20 11:15:37 2009
Margaret Topper (nee Thomas) of Arizona, USA
I just found this site and was fascinated by some of the writings - identifying with many of the old names. I lived on Trinity Avenue from 1937 to 1953 when I matriculated from John Bright. I was especially fascinated by a recent comment from Debbie Dent. She said she was related to the family that has the donkeys. Leslie is my cousin. His mother was my father's (George Thomas) sister Sarah.
Mon Jul 13 12:08:33 2009
Chris Thornley, Perth. W.A.
With regards to Graham Shrigley from Garswood's comment, Len Goodey was my uncle. Myself and Jack used to go to the Youth Club. Jack was a member of the mountaineering club and went out regularly to Snowdon and surrounds where he nearly came to grief stepping too close to the edge of Devils Kitchen in the fog. We both have fond memories of Billy Mac's where my friend Maureen Holmes used to work. Jack liked Billy Mac's because he could buy one cigarette and a match for threepence! I used to buy a small tin of liqourice sweets I think they were called TinTacks and eat them in school - Mostyn Secondary.
Mon Jul 6 09:31:14 2009
Mel Carleton-Morley, Wokingham, Berks
I was born and brought up in Llandudno for the first 18 yrs of my life. My parents had the Loretta Hotel in Deganwy Ave and I went to school (Morfa Rhianedd) in the town. I remember going to Tiff's on a Sat evening and then on to the Loaf etc. Those were the days.
Thu Jul 2 09:59:02 2009
Graham Shrigley from Garswood
The best fish and chips in Llandudno in 1950s would without question be Harry's located down the side street between the Crosville bus office and Owens the Oxford (best Ice Cream) Clonmel Street. The owner was Harry Turton with a daughter Sheila. I remember Maureen Evans, the ice rink and coffee in Fortes. The youth club with Dewi Parry Jones and his wife Glynis and Len Goody. Happy days.
Mon Jun 15 10:07:36 2009
Jean from Sale in Cheshire.
While my husband was alive i managed to take breaks in Llandudno over 5 or 6 years. He was disabled and as his carer i had short respite breaks from my duties as his carer. Just one week a year but it was great. I always went on my own so mainly i enjoyed what was available during the day. Though I went to shows at the theatre a couple of times, which meant i could do something on an evening. the last time i saw Marty Wilde at the theatre.
I had my best holidays there and tried a couple of different hotels and also went on coach trips from the kiosk ! at the pier.
Wed Jun 3 13:53:21 2009
Jack and Chris Thornley (nee Goodey)
Several things come to mind after reading various letters. One was the donkeys on West Shore where I (Jack) went to feed one of them and it bit my hand. I wasn't too keen on guiding him up and down the beach for the visitors after that. I remember vividly the skating rink in Craig y Don. It was my Saturday morning pilgrimage and I wasn't satisfied until I'd put square edges on the wooden wheels from using my foot sideways as a brake! We emigrated to Perth Jan 1970 after our wedding in Trinity Church Dec. 69. Have had a few visits home and caught up with old friends. Our last visit in July 08 was particularly memorable as we had a reunion at the Washington.
Tue May 26 09:22:36 2009
Eddie (Binky) Hughes
I was also known in 1970 to 72 as Skippy the singing bus driver to all the young school children. I enjoyed my time driving the buses with the school kids for Crosville Bus Company.
Billy Mac son Alan and Rayment Breeze stayed with us in South Australia for many months before going into the Australian Army. Joe Small is also ex Llandudno, along with Shiela Kirkham we all now reside on the Gold Coast of Australia.
Wed Apr 22 14:47:08 2009
Sheila (Jas) Leitman (nee Kirkham), Gold Coast, Au
Sara Llandudno, I was Rose Queen in the mid 50s so chances are I knew your mother. I remember the skating rink next to the Arcadia very well, having spent most weekends there. I also remember Evan's the chippy. They did have the best fish & chips. Does anyone remember Binky Hughes? He was a friend of my father & now lives on the Gold Coast. We have kept in touch and often talk about the people & times we had in Llandudno.
Thu Apr 2 12:46:15 2009
David Lloyd (was Edwards)
I lived at Arnhall from 1964 to 1972. Sadly this beautiful building was pulled down last year. I have fond memories of growing up in the 60s and early seventies seeing Alex Monroe at Happy Valley also attending Joyful Juniors at the end of the prom adjacent to the pier.
Thu Jan 8 09:29:24 2009
Debbie Dent
My dad was the singer in Waldini's Gypsy band at the Happy valley, Geoff Hughes. We are also from the family that have the donkeys on the beach. Great reading about the happy memories of Llandudno Susan.
Mon Dec 29 10:22:53 2008
Glyn Davies Anglesey (previously Penrhyn Bay)
I remember was looking for coins under the pier during the summer when thousands caught the boats to the Isle of Man and Menai Bridge, but left their change behind!
Mon Dec 8 09:40:37 2008
patricia williams Llanrwst
David Hughes. Have you contacted the Conwy Archives at Llandudno? They hold a lot of photographs there. I'm sure they will be able to help you. archifau.archives@conwy.gov.uk
Mon Dec 1 09:52:18 2008
DAVID HUGHES
Does anyone know where I might find some photos of the sea freezing at Deganwy during the winter of 1962/63?I'm sure it happened, it was very cold! Bill Roberts (Eggs)drove his car across a frozen Llyn Syberi.
Wed Nov 26 09:25:51 2008
Sheila McLean from Kuwait
I attended JBGS from 1957 to 1959 (I think '57). Living in the desert, there are definite moments when nostalgia sets in - oh, for a colder climate! I remember three teachers at the John Bright Grammar School who made a deep impression on me. The first was an English teacher, Mr. Charles Jones, who gave me a great love of Dylan Thomas, Gerard Manley Hopkins, Shakespeare, and T.S.Eliot. He passed away one morning while getting ready for school, and I will never forget the desolation I felt at that time.
The second was Mr. T. Ivor Davies, a History teacher and a musician. He introduced me to the songs of Tudor and pre-Tudor times, and frequently played for me in the central hall of the old school, while I sang.
The third teacher who made a difference to me was Leonard Brooks who took over after the death of Charles Jones. I have been an actor and director, as well as a teacher of Theatre throughout my life, and I think the power and beauty of the human voice was brought home to me by Mr. Brooks. As I was a very English girl in the school, I was often asked to read poetry for the class, and to take parts in Shakespeare. I will never forget these three teachers, who made such a difference to me, and I would like to say to young teachers do not forget the influence you might wield. Your students are touched by you more than you know.
Mon Nov 24 10:58:49 2008
Gerwyn Roberts
Shirley Jones - The band leader Robin Williams would have been in his 50s in the late 1950s, but if you are looking for old schoolfriends try Friends Reunited who have a list of school pupils around all the years and how to contact them.
Tue Oct 14 09:24:48 2008
Shirley Jones, Canada
Gerwyn Roberts mentioned a Robin Williams conducting a band, was he a local boy? I went to JBGS with a Robin Williams in the late 40s early 50s and am trying to find what happened to some old friends.
Mon Oct 13 09:54:26 2008
Gerwyn Roberts, Perth, W Australia
To Roy Godier. I remember Maureen Evans very well and Maureen also remembers me as I had many seasons on the stage at Happy Valley with the Waldini band. I went on the children's talent competition in a skiffle group at first and also doing impersonations of animals and birds and various other things. Waldini had other fantastic singers as Maureen herself I'm sure would agree, such as Grace Shaw, Nanw Morgan, Phyllis Parffit. Waldini was the show that all the visitors came to see. The bandstand that Robin Williams used to conduct was the other one and all the other shows were hoping for rain so they could get some of the crowd. As Waldini's catchphrase was "if wet, Town Hall".
Thu Oct 9 09:13:31 2008
Allan Nash - Sydney Australia
To Roy Godier, I listened to Maureen Evens sing every day through the summer of 1956 as I was in Waldini's band that year. I spent a day in Llandudno in August last year - first time I'd been there in 51 years and it seemed much the same, with donkey rides and Punch & Judy on the beach. I've had previous contact with Maureen via this site and she mentioned a photo of the two of us on the sea front and I said that I had the same photo, however I cannot find it - would it be possible for Maureen to email a copy to me? Do you know how much longer Waldini continued to play the summer season in Llandudno? And I would dearly love to know what became of his black drophead Jaguar (a MKIV or possibly an SS).
Mon Sep 29 09:48:25 2008
Idris Roberts - Chester
In reply to Roy Godier - I used to watch Maureen Evans almost daily at the Happy Valley during the mid fifties. I went up there after working at the amusements under the pier. I had a copy of her big hit "Like I Do" for many years. I moved to Chester in 1959, and still live there, but return to Llandudno at regular intervals.
Mon Sep 29 09:32:34 2008
roy godier, cardiff
Have you any memories of Maureen Evanssinging with the Waldini band at Happy Valley? I would love to hear from you and will pass them on to Maureen. Maureen has very happy memories of this time and a great affection for Llandudno.
Thu Sep 18 09:23:51 2008
John Hughes Brynsiencyn
To Sara and to Gerwyn Roberts. I remember the skating rink as I lived in Craig y Don in the late 1950's and early 60s. In those days the fields and allotments between the North Western and Clarence Road were a playground and separated the Town from Craig y Don. Does anyone remember the cafe on the Pier next to the Grand Hotel? My mum, Rose Hughes ran it for years and I have really fond memories of ice sodas and watching visitors disembark from the Tudno and Seiriol at the end of the Pier. happy days!
Tue Sep 16 09:29:32 2008
Sara Llandudno
My mum used to roller skate at the rink, I think it was at the Arcadia, have some photo's somewhere. Would have been the 50s. She also worked in Tribells about 1966-67(we lived in Lloyd street). The restaurant was upstairs and a dumb waiter was used to get the food upstairs. I was about 4-5 years old. Loved their sausage egg and chips with dandelion and burdock to drink. My mum's name was Nerys Moubert nee Jones and she was Llandudno Rose Queen in 1950
Mon Sep 8 10:03:59 2008
gerwyn roberts
To D Hughes you were right about Evan's fish and chips. It later became Tribell's fish and chips. Do you remember the other fish'n'chips on the corner of Chapel St and Gloddaeth Ave, which was a popular place on the way to the Odeon and Winter Gardens or after a night at the Clarence hotel. I wonder how many people rememmber the skating rink down at Craig y Don?
Fri Sep 5 09:30:02 2008
David Hughes
The chip shop in Lloyd Street was called Evans's when Susan Noble knew it in the early 6Os.It was the first place I took my future wife for a meal. John Robertson (Robbie) was waiting on, and the cost was about five bob I think.
Thu Sep 4 09:42:30 2008
steve taylor.... st helens
my wife and i love to come to relax in llandudno 2 or 3 times a year - its only an hour from home but is a different world and so clean and friendly. we stay at the Hen-Dy hotel facing the pier which is so clean friendly and amazing value with panoramic views.
Mon Jul 14 10:18:58 2008
Gerwyn Roberts, Perth, W.Australia
To Susan Noble. I am glad that you found this site. The chippie was called Bell's fish and chips. I also loved going to Billiy Macs for the pies especially the pork pies. Did you come in contact with Carol Jones as she also migrated to N.Z. As you may recall I used to be in many of Waldini's talent shows. You will find this site a good one and every now and again hear some old friends.
Mon May 19 10:12:00 2008
Susan Noble New Zealand
Just been told of this site. as I read, the memories returned. Happy Valley and 'Waldidnis' Gypsy band (he used to have children talent contests). I helped the Donkey rides on the beach, by leading the animal and making sure the smaller kids didn't fall off, then we (helpers) were allowed to ride the donkeys as they were taken back to the stable (off Jubilee Street). Remember 'Billy Mac' who ran the shop on Augusta Street? We'd go there after dancing in the Youth club on Trinity Ave. treat ourselves to a pie which was quartered and sauce put on.
Best 'chippy' was on cnr. of Lloyd Street! and Chapel St. We used to treat ourselves to a bag after we'd seen the flick on at the Odeon. I came to New Zealand in 1963 Had a visit'home' in 1988 caught up with some old school friends. It was a great town to grow up in!
Thu May 15 09:20:13 2008
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