"I was born, brought up and lived at 23 Watling Street until I got married. I went to school in Watling Street and the headmaster was Robert Jones. I liked him because I thought he was always fair. I remember he gave me a job as milk monitor. That meant I had to collect the milk money from each class. Then I would take the money upstairs to Robert Jones' office where he would count it with me. After counting the money, I had to take the money to the bank. The milk cost a half penny per bottle.
In those days animals were sold in the streets. The cattle mart on Tal-y-Bont Road had not been built. Cows were sold on Watling Street and one day my mother accidentally left the front door open. You can guess what happened - a cow ran into the house! They could not get the cow out because the hall was narrow and her horns were knocking against the walls. They eventually got the cow out, but I cannot remember how.
Mr Barlow always delivered parcels from the railway station on his horse and cart. Every time he came into Watling Street my mother used to give the horse some bread. One day he stopped to deliver parcels to Kerry the butcher and when he came out of the shop, the horse and cart had disappeared. The horse had trotted down to my house knowing he would be fed. Mr Barlow was not happy. I remember him running down the street shouting, but we were all laughing.
Eisteddfod weekend was always very busy in Llanrwst, and Watling Street was the busiest street. There would be crowds of people coming out of the field at two or three on the Sunday morning after the choir competitions. It was like a crowd coming out of a cup final, it was that busy. My mother used to have a stall on the field selling homemade ice cream and sweets. We used to buy a dandelion drink from Mrs Jones and treacle toffee.
The top of the wall between 'Back Wat' and the field was covered in tar to stop anyone getting in for nothing. The houses in Back Watling always looked smart because the people used to whitewash them for Eisteddfod weekend.
Annie Dickinson, across the road, taught me how to play whist. I used to love playing. Whist drives were played in the Church House at the bottom of Watling Street. I remember one Christmas time I won the first prize. I was only 12 at the time, so many of the regulars did not like it that a boy of 12 won the first prize (a goose). Annie Dickinson taught me well.
I worked as a projectionist in the cinema in Watling Street with Brinley Macnaughton and Cyril Edwards before the cinema moved to Plas yn Dre. The cinema was called The Luxor Cinema and was owned by Mr. James - he lived in Cae Llan.
We always went to Cardiff to see Wales play football. We would go by coach on a Friday morning and were back on Sunday afternoon. It would cost four pounds ten shillings. We would see Wales v Scotland or Wales v England. Wales v Ireland was always played in Wrexham. We did not have holidays like people have today so we looked forward to our football trips.
We would start saving in May and every week we would give some more money. Any extra after the four pound ten shillings had been paid was our spending money. We would have two nights in a good hotel, bus fare, and tickets for the match. The bus was always full."
your comments
Patricia Williams, Llanrwst
Hi Alun, I have very fond memories of the old Luxor Cinema in Llanrwst, which was demolished a few years ago. My father was a projectionist there when Mr James was the owner. If you contact me through the tips and hints page I will be able to help you further as the Historical Society have got quite a lot of information on this cinema, including photographs, one especially of a visiting film star!
Mon Aug 18 09:20:37 2008
Alun Turner
I am currently writing a book on the former cinemas of North Wales and know that your memories of working in Llanrwst's Cinemas would be halpful to me. Does anyone have any stories? Not only about cinemas that were purpose built but halls used by travelling film shows.
Mon Aug 11 10:18:19 2008
Jacqueline Godrich (nee Roberts)
Hi Gloria Doran nee powell, I remember you well, and yes we did both work at Gwydyr Cafe at the same time. Do you have family in Llanrwst now? I have not visited Llanrwst for 25 years, but will visit soon.
Mon Nov 5 10:11:34 2007
Gloria Doran nee Powell .Torrevieja
Hi Jaqueline, I remember your father,as a postman.He used to have many a chat with my mother,Martha Powell.I also worked with Heddwen and MRS Ellis,I think we worked at Gwydyr Cafe at the same time, There will be a lot of people out there who will have fond memories of your father.
Mon Oct 8 10:26:00 2007
Patricia Williams, Llanrwst
Geraint, Many people from the Llanrwst area emigrated to America and Canada. As Elizabeth Hughes is a common name do you have a date of birth or anything for her which would help in your search? Armed with that information she could possibly be traced through the free search on the Ellis Island site. It could be, though, that she did not enter America through New York. Some did not as they were afraid of being turned back.
Wed Aug 29 09:54:49 2007
Jacqueline Godrich nee roberts of Swansea
Hi Jill Roberts nee Jones. I was in touch with Mrs Ellis by post up until she died, and then Allan Ellis kept me in touch with changes at Llanrwst, he too has died. Thoughts of Mrs Ellis bring a smile to my face and pleasant memories.
Mon Jul 23 10:04:22 2007
GERAINT WYN ROBERTS
Does anyone from the Llanrwst area know of any families or persons who emigrated to America in the 1870/80s, particularly an Elizabeth Hughes?
Wed May 16 09:55:02 2007
JILL Roberts nee jones
Jacqueline, Mrs Ellis was my Aunty Enid I remember when she worked at Gwydyr cafe cake shop,Iused to stay with her some weekends and holidays, They lived on denbigh st then moved to Crafnant a house on the crossroads on Abergele rd by the school,I used to call there at lunch time from school and she would give Jan my friend and myself tea and cakes. fond memories
Mon Apr 16 12:19:31 2007
Sian Price, Rhyd y Foel
My father was John Evans, Ironmonger. We used to live above the shop at Meirion House, No. 5 Watling Street before moving to Cae Llan and I remember Jacqueline and her father Ron Roberts.
Thu Feb 22 10:12:41 2007
Diana Pierce nee Steele
Jacqueline Godrich. I moved to 15 watling St after Your Grandparents moved to 19 Cae Tyddyn.I used to come to Cae Llan with Valmai Roberts your Aunt I think to see you all.I was in school with Valmai in watling St.I remember your parents well.
Mon Jan 15 10:02:05 2007
gladys hughes
J Goodridge Swansea - I lived next door but two to your father and granmother in watling street. I was friendly with your aunt valmai. Your father worked in the post office where my father in law worked.
Mon Nov 13 09:44:57 2006
Jacqueline Godrich nee Roberts from Swansea
My father was a postman at Llanrwst up until 1964, his name was Ron Roberts. Does anyone remember him? I had a Saturday job at Gwydir Cafe in the cake shop and worked for Mr Overington (the owner) along with Mrs Ellis and Heddwen. My Grandmother lived in Watling Street and later in Cae Tyddyn. I lived in Cae Llan up until 1964. My father died 15 months ago, but always spoke of Llanrwst as his HOME.
Mon Feb 27 19:20:40 2006
