THIS IS THE BLOG OF COLIN JONES, RHYL TOWN COUNCILLOR: BODFOR WARDl
The opinions expressed in this blog are entirely my own and not the views of the town council.
l
Next to the old Pavilion, on the east side, was Pavilion Gardens, Promenade Gardens or Marine Gardens (same place). The picture above (TOP) is a postcard of the bandstand there. The postmark seems to say 1916, in the middle of World War 1. Given that the Pavilion was opposite Edward Henry Street, the bandstand must have been opposite Water Street; the junction is just about visible when the picture is enlarged.
Music in that context would have been ‘light music’, Palm Court stuff perhaps, and patriotic tunes. The musicians may have been from the resident orchestra at the Pavilion. Live music was usual outdoors and in theatres, ballrooms and dance halls, at cinema shows, in the larger restaurants and hotels. Quite a few residents became part-time musicians to earn ‘a few bob’ on the side.
The lower picture, a sepia card postmarked 1924, shows the layout of the bandstand area as seen when looking eastwards from the balcony of the Pavilion. Eventually the area became a roller skating rink.
l
l
l
