your comments
Mary White, Selective Seafoods, Tudwiliog, Pwllhel
We have had a North American Fusion Buzzard in this area for the last four days. It has full jessies. Has anyone lost one? The wind has been South so it is most likely from Mid or South Wales.
Mon Aug 3 14:22:57 2009
Connor, Abersoch
We're in the area for two days and it's raining like crazy. Can anybody point us in the direction of an indoor activity or general things to do? We have a car so travelling up to 20 minutes or so is fine.
Wed Jun 17 13:01:04 2009
Jo Shaw, Manchester
Would anyone know where to find out who the comedian at Butlins was in the summer season 1970?
Tue May 19 09:49:00 2009
RD Owen
I was born in Pwllheli and in my early childhood lived, first, at Aeronia in Recreation Road and later at Tufton on the front or prom as we called it. Tufton was two properties along from the original West End Hotel. The property in between was called The Cedars. My parents rented their flat from a Mrs Owen who owned/lived at The Moorings situated towards the South Beach end of the prom. I recall walking there on many an occasion with my mother to pay the rent. From Tufton we could clearly see the three-legged bombing target out to sea in Cardigan Bay. I'm pretty sure this was removed before the end of the Sixties as I don't recall seeing it when attending the new Glan-y-Mor School 6th-Form class from Autumm 1969.
Tue Apr 14 09:50:21 2009
Hefin Underwood, Pwllheli
To John Meredith Roberts, I see you mentioned a Hilda Ruth Underwood who signed a portrait. I would be interested if anyone can give some more info.
Wed Apr 1 10:16:08 2009
Ron Jones from Bentley
Does anyone know anything about a "Cambrian Music Warehouse" in Pwllheli? According to my father's birth certificate, that was where he was born - in 1907.
Fri Jan 30 11:00:56 2009
Teresa Williams from Pwllheli
Does anyone out there remember the year that Woolworth's opened in Pwllheli. My mother has been told that it opened in 1933. However, as she remembers it opening and was only five then she thinks that the date she has been given is probably incorrect.
Mon Dec 29 10:25:54 2008
Eurwyn Williams from Oswestry
I also remember the bomber crash on the beach. I lived in Meini Gwynion, South Beach. when the sirens went off my mother stuffed both me and my sister Valmai under the table in the kitchen, I managed to escape and climb on to the belfast sink and peer through the kitchen window to witness the flash of the explosion as the plane crashed. I was taken along to see the remains of the burnt out plane the next morning I think it was a Sunday. It was a very exiting time for a young lad of four.
I remember seeing what I thought to be a very large ship coming on to South beach an it's front opening up, I can only surmise that it may have been a large landing craft, there were soldiers marching along the prom and Ducks (DUKWs)having their tyres deflated on the beach prior to driving into the water. I can't remember whether the Ducks went on to the LC or even if it was at the same time.
I remember playing in the sea plane that was beached in Morfa Garreg my friends Kerry Griffiths, David Richards and I would take turns running up and down the wings causing it to tilt from one float to the other while the other sat in the cockpit pretending to fly it. I don't know what aircraft it was, I remember that it had a ladder inside up which you could climb into a perspex domed little cabin Would anyone know whether that was the pilot's seat or some kind of observation/ gun point?
They were happy and exiting days, of course I was not really aware of the seriousness of what was going on. Unfortunately I have no pictures or seen any, of the events that occurred during this time. Does anyone know of any? There was a Mr May that lived close to us, Rose cottages I think, we were told he was a proffesional photographer, I've often wondered if he had photos of the time and whether he had a collection? I hafe treasured memories of playing on South Beach and Carreg yr Imbill particularly when it was stormy.
Mon Dec 1 10:07:43 2008
Fredrick Harman, Toronto, Canada
Am looking for photos/info about "The Moorings" which was, I believe, a hotel opposite the promenade. During the 40's it was owned by the Owen family - one of whom befriended me during my childhood in northern Ontario, Canada.
Thu Sep 18 09:24:21 2008
Keith Cholmondeley
My family lived in North Villa, North Street, Pwllheli, it was owned by "Mrs Griffiths rent" In fact she and her sisters owned the whole street of houses including the allotments up "Allt Barty".I am looking for old photos of Pwllheli, in particular of North street.
Mon Aug 4 09:31:57 2008
Ray JCB, Wrexham
To Bob Jones, my mum remembers the plane crashing on the beach in 1942. She lived in 5, Mitre Place.
Fri Jul 18 09:22:13 2008
John Jones - Croydon
To John Meredith Roberts - Your comments of the 23rd make memories come flooding back. You mention the Studt fairground and the other "English boy" at Troed yr Allt school. This would be Harry Studt who is still living in Pwllheli continuing in the family tradition with the fairground at the far end of "Maes". After all these years I am still in touch with him and meet up when I go "home!".
I also spent a great deal of time on the free rides, and having tea with his mother in their huge trailer home. Do you recall those steam engines they had for generating power and towing all their fair%2! 0on their travels. As for the buttermilk (llaeth-enwyn") you probably went up Allt Barcty to either Clogwyn or Ysgubor Wen. I also spent time on the slaughterhouse (lladd-dy)wall watching the men at work. We could almost write a book about those "Happy Days". (A small world with internet)
Fri Jun 27 09:44:07 2008
John Meredith Roberts, Moseley, Birmingham
To John Jones, Croydon, and Geraint. I remember Owen Owen very well. I was evacuated to my Nain's at Llys Berwyn[50 Sand St] during 1939 & 1940. I went to the school at the other end of North St where all the other children could only speak Welsh and I could only speak English. Owen was my very best friend and we used to go everywhere together, up the path at the side of the Salvation Army hall in North St, past the 'Witch's Cottage' to collect buttermilk for my Nain. After school we used to play in the old cottages [?] in the Gors. Other things we used to do after school were go to see Harold Lloyd at work in the slaughterhouse, play in the Corn Dealer's in the Maes where there was a chute to load sacks on to truck s- we used take turns to slide down it. Later on another English boy joined the class at school. His father owned the Studt fairground that was located in the Maes, and we used to spend a lot of time there getting free rides on the dodgems. We had great times. Owen Owen lived at 22 Sand St., next door to Siop Humphrey Hughes. Just along Sand St was a grocery owned by 'John the Milk', and across the road was a garage/petrol station run by Tom Jones and his son Glyn. I remember Owen's Mom and Dad, and he had two sisters, Kitty and Jenny. Kitty married a Naval Petty Officer and I think Jenny was a nurse. Across the road from Owen's was the chip shop owned by Mary Jos Bach who went to school with my Dad. Must have been 1906-1917. She also organised a coach trip for all the children around Sand St on VJ Day, 1945. I think we went to Nefyn and Whistling Sands. Does anyone know anything about a 'Hilda Ruth Underwood' in Pwllheli? When my Dad died I fould a beautiful self-portrait watercolour which she had signed.
Mon Jun 23 10:16:03 2008
David Morgan. Llandudno
Val Bethell re. church windowin Pwllheli. I seem to remember a large church style window in the rear of "Argraig", Llyn Street.
Thu Jun 19 09:35:22 2008
Gus Angus from Toronto Canada
I lived with my mother, elder brother and younger sister in 1942 to 1943 in a beach cottage between the West End and the Golf Club. There were only two cottages and Billy Butlin's family lived in the other one. One day a mine washed up on the beach, which my brother and I discovered. When the demolition boys blew it up everyone was relocated that afternoon to the Golf Club. My brother slipped out of a rear window and watched it explode. Does anyone remember it?
Thu Jun 12 09:01:17 2008
Salient from Flitwick
Does anybody remember the bombing target located in Cardigan bay seen from Pwllheli beach? It was a 3 legged structure believed to have been erected during the 2nd world war for bombing practice. I understand that it was demolished 20 years ago. If anybody has any photos of it I would be very interested to see them.
Tue May 6 10:09:54 2008
J Ryan, W Sussex
Can anyone tell me if 21 North Street still exists? I have a birth certificate for a relative with that address given as the mother's residence (she was Kate Ellen Parry, a domestic servant).
Mon Apr 28 10:36:27 2008
Val Bethell Pwllheli
Does anyone know of a house in Pwllheli that has a church window? We live in Picton Castle, and have a beautiful one, and I have been told there is another somewhere. Also if anyone has Picton Castle stories, we would love to hear them.
Fri Apr 18 09:43:11 2008
owen williams
I am trying to trace photos of the Queens visit to Butlins Pwllheli in 1963. There was a photo of my mother Sarah in the line up with the Queen but sadly the album containing this has been lost. Sarah worked in the canteen restauraunt and had a white uniform with blue edging in the photo--please can anyone help .
Tue Apr 8 09:48:54 2008
John Jones Croydon (again)
To Elaine: Further to my message of 25th Feb,I have located "Madryn Arms Hotel" at 34-36 High Street Pwllheli within the web-site Rhiw.com under Lleyn Peninsula Census - Pwllheli 1881 (Denio)Sub-para (II) - it is quite a way down the list) Occupants listed at the time were Richard Hughes - Hotel Keeper, His Wife Sarah, and a niece Sarah Owens. I trust this will be of assistance to you.
Wed Feb 27 09:47:48 2008
John Jones - Croydon
To Elaine: There was a "Ship Hotel" in Pwllheli, probably sited before the development of the harbour, and situated on the corner of "Traeth" (Sand Street) and the High Street where the Penmount Chapel and car park stand. It was always referred to in my younger days as "Pen Ship". There was also a Madryn Arms in the High Street which I believe to be almost opposite what is now Woolworths. There is also a Madryn Arms in Chwilog Nr Pwllheli that used to serve the old Cattle Mart and the now defunct railway station virtually on the crossing for the line. (My Uncle Dafydd (David Jones) was the licensee there some years ago. To obtain further information regarding these two premises why not investigate the various "Census" for Pwllheli (Denio) that are available on the Web.
Mon Feb 25 09:15:13 2008
Elaine
My great grandparents owned the Madryn Arms Hotel and my grandmother was born there. Do you have any information about it? Also, my grandmother and her husband managed the Ship Hotel somewhere.
Fri Feb 22 08:48:42 2008
geraint
To Bob Jones and John Jones: Thanks for info. My connection with Pwllheli was through my father Owen Owen Y Traeth (probably the same Owen as you knew). Family were numerous at Y Traeth end of Pwllheli. I've no connection now, apart for one cousin living elsewhere in the town.
Mon Feb 18 10:49:53 2008
Jude James - Hordle, Lymington
Can anyone help, please, with information about John Watkins, mariner, of Pwllheli. John and his wife Gwen had a son, William, baptised at Lymington in Hampshire on 7 August 1816. The boy died on the 20th and is buried in Lymington parish churchyard. He has a finely inscribed slate tombstone (the only one in the churchyard). I would like to know if John was bringing slate cargoes to Lymington at about that time. I would also like to know about John and his family. I have a digital image of the headstone.
Fri Feb 15 14:35:46 2008
John Jones Croydon
To Geraint: The only "Owen" I recall from Sand Street (Traeth) was Owen Owen who lived just before the entrance to "Gors" next door to "Siop Humphrey Hughes" whose daughter was Edith Hughes. Owen Owen used to play cricket with us in "Gors" with Eifion Shop Llefrith, James Albert, his brother John, Jackie Griffith and Ogwen from North Street. What was/or is your family connection in Pwllheli?
Mon Feb 11 10:02:08 2008
Bob Jones from New Zealand
To Geraint. I remember watching the funeral of the German crew members held at Pwllheli cemetary.The lone surviver was dressed in an RAF uniform devoid of all badges of rank etc.As the coffins were lowered into the grave he clicked his heels and gave the Nazi salute!
Tue Feb 5 09:53:04 2008
Geraint
To Bob Jones and John Jones: Regarding that plane shot down in 1942, my father told me a few stories about it. Like you, he remembers going to the crash site and collecting souvenirs. He also told me that there was human wreckage on the beach as well. He also told me that the whole school were paraded down to the Station the following day to see the pilot taken away in cuffs by train, and the school children paraded in single file past him to spit on him! I'd like to know more!
Fri Jan 25 10:44:49 2008
Geraint
To John Jones of Croyden: You mention growing up and playing in the old ship yard - y Gors near Sand Street. Do you remember Now (Owen) from Sand Street? I think he may have been about your age - growing up during the war? His father worked as a setsman at Carreg yr Imbyll, and worked for a while at the ship/timber yard. I had three or four other family members living in The Traeth area - all sadly now died.
Fri Jan 25 10:07:43 2008
dick wood filey n yorks
my father was the manager of butlins in 1963 when the queen visited. i have a wonderful photo of my dad being presented to the queen by billy butlin. i went to pwllheli grammar school, was good friends with dave owen from the laundry nr butlins, gareth edwards who worked at butlins, and was privileged to be a close friend of jackie barber of fford y mela.
Fri Jan 11 08:54:35 2008
John Jones - Croydon
Reply to Clare from Harlech: "Gors" This was situated behind the High Street and Sand Street (Traeth) and was a Timber Yard, when I grew up this is where we spent many happy hours playing football and cricket during the war. Blackberries were abundant to pick there. Bonfires were built and lit there to celebrate the end of WWII, organised by "Mary Jos Bach" Siop Chips. Happy days. We had access through a door in our back garden wall from 27 High St, this is still there. It was here the Women's Land Army had a base where they crated rabbits for shipment by rail. Sadly now it is "Asda". Oh yes, it flooded on a regular basis which made us make rafts from the timber when it returned to timber storage after the war, much to the displeasue of the man in charge the following morning.
Mon Jan 7 09:42:07 2008
John Jones - Croydon
Answering Bob Jones from New Zealand, I remember the "Siren"...going and looking out on a moonlit night I saw this plane being chased above the High Street in the direction of West End where it came down. With friends, when we heard about it, went to the golf-links next morning to see the wreckage and did manage to get a bit as a souvenir. Do you also remember about the same time, off the West End Beach, a steam traction engine belonging to the Studt fairgroung family pulling a crashed plane from the sea, as other efforts had failed. A great deal went on in and around Pwllheli during those war years, with Army, Navy and Air Force camps in the area. Then we had the prisoner of war camps. In your days in Pwllheli did you know am Ivor Bodvel Owen who lived at No 25 High Street, he would be about the same age as yourself, and you may well have gone to school together. He also now lives in NZ.
Mon Jan 7 09:16:55 2008
Bob Jones, New Zealand
Does anyone out there remember a night in 1942 when a German aircraft was shot down and crashed onto the beach by the golf links? I was 13 and lived in Picton Castle at the time and saw the fiery light from my bedroom window. The next morning I witnessed the pilot that shot it down having his photo taken standing beside the wreck.
Mon Dec 31 09:26:44 2007
