RARITIES

On the subject of skating, some years ago in a previous post I wrote, “Before World War 2 there was a large skating rink on the south side of Wellington Road, quite far down towards Marine Lake; this one seems poorly documented – I have never seen a picture of it.”

This advert below reveals the place to be Olympia Skating Rink in Wellington Road. The advert is from Rhyl Journal (9th June 1934) and is part of the Glyn Rees collection. Glyn has added a note saying the rink was opposite Sandringham Avenue:

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Regarding swimming, a few years back in a previous post there appeared some info and pictures relating to the indoor Sussex Street Baths. The building stood where Peacocks store is now.

Only recently the following image of the interior of the baths came to hand; it is a postcard presumed to be circa 1920.

Click on any picture to see a bigger version.

Something else new to this blog: a notebook that a lady would have carried around at a dance, writing in the names of men who wished to dance with her:

It is often described as a dance card or programme du bal, and this 1932 example is from Queens Hotel, West Parade, Rhyl.

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Colin Jones / email: rhyl.colin.jones@live.co.uk

See my Rhyl videos on YouTube:

http://www.youtube.com/user/RhylTime

Only the videos marked RhylTime are mine!

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WEDNESDAY WALK

This afternoon I sallied forth in weather nearly too hot. In Wellington Road stands the abandoned post office (pictured below):

The building is actually No.2 Water Street, an awful example of 1960s-70s architecture which might not be missed if demolished.

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In Market Street the shop David John Jewellers (opposite Wilko) closed down due to retirement:

In the 1970s the premises were named Ellsons as in the following advert in which opposite Marks and Spencer refers to Market Street and not to the shop itself:

Some residents remember this gardening & pets shop as Twigdons which seems to have preceded Ellsons.

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Inside Rhyl Library, Church Street, work is continuing to to accommodate the rent office which is presently in the town hall.

At the library's Cookbook Cafe my pal Jill and I partook of Lemongrass & Ginger Tea and chocolate sponge cake. Nice!

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Round in East Parade at No. 23 is the highly-recommended Pier Hotel (on your right in the following picture).

On your left is the former Morville Hotel which has been renamed as the Fiorenzo Cazari Hotel. 

Click on any image to see a bigger version.

On the beach and in High Street, we have business a usual. I smile when I hear people refer to Rhyl as an ex-resort.
We may not get heaving crowds any more, but the name Rhyl still attracts and the town has plenty of potential.

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SUNDAY STROLL

This afternoon I took a stroll and paused to admire the Territorial Drill Hall in John Street - on corner of Crescent Road. Speaking architecturally, this has always been a favourite of mine:

Within the Drill Hall the Army Careers Office appears to have closed down and I am not sorry about that. Recruiting in an area of high unemployment seemed cynical.

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Further up Crescent Road - on corner of Gordon Avenue - is the former MUGA (Multi Use Games Area) which was controversial and disliked by some residents because games tend to be noisy.

The place has been closed for some time, and now raised beds for growing things can just about be seen. Somebody must have decided horticulture was better than keeping fit.

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Regenerative works continue in Abbey Street. The entire scheme for the Abbey Street-Aquarium Street area has attracted negative comments but
I believe it will turn out worthwhile.

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At 29-35 Queen Street, the gift shop Dixie Deans has reverted to using that name after a spell of being called David Michaels. My best wishes to David and his family there:

In Queen Street, next door to Rossini's Italian Restaurant, we now have Mieshqah's Gelato, a 1950s-themed ice cream parlour. [Sidoli's is still open in Wellington Road, by the way.]

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On the prom between Queen Street and High Street are lots of rides including the bumping cars shown below. Noah Robinson (ex-Ocean Beach Fun Fair) has created Rhyl Family Fun Fair which includes mini- versions of the Gallopers aka Bobby Horses, the Waltzer and more. Ucangoandavalook!

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Finally, welcome to a new shop opened recently in White Rose Centre's entrance off High Street: a branch of Warren James cut-price jewellery.

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Colin Jones / email: rhyl.colin.jones@live.co.uk

See my Rhyl videos on YouTube:

http://www.youtube.com/user/RhylTime

Only the videos marked RhylTime are mine!

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QUIZ QUESTION # 104

The four people pictured above were in Rhyl during the 1940s.

The question: With what association/club/company/group/organisation were they associated?

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The man pictured below was a significant figure around here for a quarter of a century.
The question: Who is he?

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The following photo was taken in Rhyl this year.

The question: In what street/road/avenue would you find this scene?

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To score a win you need a correct answer to at least two of the three questions.

You have until the end of Saturday 15th August 2015 to send your entry.
Second tries not accepted.
The result will be published on Sunday 16th August 2015 around Midday.


Colin Jones / email: rhyl.colin.jones@live.co.uk

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QUIZ ANSWER # 103

Last Sunday I posted this photo which was taken in mid 1970s in Rhyl.
The question: In what street/road is the rear of the bus?
The answer: Crescent Road.
Your crafty blogger blanked out a wall sign saying Crescent Square.

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Also I posted the following photos taken this year and they all have a place name blanked out.
The question: What are the three missing names?
The answer: firstly Diane Drive, and then Tarquin Drive, and finally Pendyffryn Road.

Scoring a win for the correct answer to bus question, and/or a win for the three place names:
Geoff Hughes 2, Richard & Ceri Swinney 2, Sue Handley 1, Jane Shuttle 2, Dilys Bagnall 1, The Great Gareth 2, and Dorothy Jones 1. (Nice to meet Dorothy at the dentists this week!)

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Regarding the bus, here is a reminder of the place from where the vehicle had probably just departed - the Crosville Bus Station in Crescent Road. The photo was taken in 1974:

The location is now a derelict car park as photographed a few days ago by Yours Truly:

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ERRORS AND OMISSIONS
This week a couple of readers have pointed out possible mistakes in the blog, one about the name of a street/road - thanks Jane - and the other about the identity of a person (this one is still pending.) Do pick me up on factual errors involving places and people. Let's try to get everything right for the sake of researchers!

Colin Jones / email: rhyl.colin.jones@live.co.uk

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NOW IT'S MARINA QUAY

We've had yet more news from the Scarborough Group, previously known in this blog as Scarborough Development Group (SDG).

They are the company that picked up the Ocean Beach Fun Fair site from the receiver when previous owners Modus went bust. Scarborough Group have done very little with the place other than make occasional statements about their intentions.

The Group’s latest announcements tell us that the site (which they had been calling Ocean Plaza) is now called Marina Quay, and a retailer named The Range may set up there. It is hoped that the presence of The Range would draw in other businesses and create hundreds of jobs.

Aye, ‘appen.

My position remains as written more than five years ago in this blog:
“I would say to SDG, Investec and any other parties involved, that some of us are weary of hearing promises about hundreds of this, thousands of that and millions of the other. We will believe in the new developments when we see them.”

The plan above showing the proposed scheme appeared in the Daily Post a few days ago:
http://www.dailypost.co.uk/business/business-news/rhyl-ocean-plaza-funfair-range-9790961

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FLORAL HALL ADVERT 1970s

This advert for Royal Floral Hall, Rhyl, is from early 1970s when the town knew it was a holiday resort and was proud of itself. The Floral Hall was a principal attraction located on the stretch of promenade that would be - in today's terms - between the Seaquarium and Events Arena. 

Click on any image to see a bigger version.

In the Floral Hall were hundreds of varieties of flowers, plants, shrubs and cacti - and staff to give you advice on growing your own. There were tropical birds to say hello to, and a Continental Zoo which I think had a separate entrance at the rear. Readers will know, readers will tell me.

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FRI 7th AUG 2015 UPDATE: Just arrived here at Jones Towers is this undated image of the Royal Floral Hall interior:

And some comments from Dilys Bagnall who writes: 
“When the Floral Hall first opened it was managed by the Henleys who also ran the roller skating rink. My late husband Peter's pals Mike Dean and Stan Williams worked there. I recall George the parrot - he was very naughty and swore at little old ladies.
"I remember going to a flower show at the Floral Hall and touching one of Bill Steed’s chrysanthemums and all the petals fell off!!!! I didn’t hang around. I still have a key ring bought there, which has a viewer with pictures of my two children. Happy, happy days.”

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WED 21st MAR 2018 UPDATE: From the 1960s - an unused postcard showing birds outside the premises:

The seller comments: “There always used to be two birds as you entered the Royal Floral Hall, outside if it was warm enough, just inside the entrance doors otherwise. On this postcard the birds are outside; you can see the 2nd bird in the background. Visitors were able to go up close.”

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Colin Jones / email: rhyl.colin.jones@live.co.uk

See my Rhyl videos on YouTube:

http://www.youtube.com/user/RhylTime

Only the videos marked RhylTime are mine!

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