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.
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The land on which Ocean Beach Fun Fair once stood is still derelict and awaiting progress of the proposed Ocean Plaza development of flats and shops. The land was bought in the 1930s by Rhyl Amusements Ltd who ran Marine Lake Fun Fair. At first it was used as a coach park and a place for travelling circuses and exhibitions.
Eventually the company began to move rides from Marine Lake to Ocean Beach, and by the 1950s we had fun fairs on both sites. The picture is a card postmarked 1975 showing Ocean Beach’s big slide. A notice to the right says: PERSONS ARE NOT PERMITTED TO SLIDE HEAD FIRST.
I dare say some were daft enough to try.
Note: The proposed Ocean Plaza development was replaced by Marina Quay.
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TUE 17th JAN 2017 UPDATE: The big slide appears on the following multiview card postmarked 1978, along with promenade fun in the shape of roller skating, Ted Green's Punch and Judy show, and frolics at the paddling pool:
Looking at this card in 2017 it struck me that everything thereon was aimed specifically at entertaining children and big kids. There is so little for them now!
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SUN 9th APR 2017 UPDATE: From ex-Rhylite Lynne Weston (was Rees) now residing in Scotland, here are a couple of 1970s postcards.
Above: A view from top of the aforementioned big slide at Ocean Beach.
Click on any image to see a bigger version.
Below: Part of the prom and West Parade. The big green building on your right was on corner of Water Street, and the photograph looks to be taken by somebody standing on the flat roof of Coliseum Theatre.
Thanks, Lynne!
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