Two Beginnings Colwyn Bay Horticultural Society prides itself on an unbroken existence since 1903. We know from the local papers that the CBHS was a gleam in someone’s eye in 1903 because very … [Read more...]
[:en]History[:cy]Hanes
The Remarkable Reverend William Hughes and the African Institute
The Colwyn Bay Heritage Group was delighted to premiere this short film titled ‘The Remarkable Reverend William Hughes and the African Institute of Colwyn Bay’ during a Then and Now event. The film, … [Read more...]
Colwyn Bay at War
Colwyn Bay lies in a wonderful spot on the sunny coast of North Wales. The Ministry of Food relocated to Colwyn Bay in 1939 following the outbreak of the Second World War. It is little known just how … [Read more...]
Diamond Jubilee Fountain
A trick of the light one Saturday evening revealed the date 1897 on the red stone fountain near the pier. The Weekly News and Visitors’ Chronicles issue for April 23rd, 1897 includes a report on … [Read more...]
The Marsh of the Monks
After reading about the amphora you may be interested in a site where a quantity of Roman coins were found. They date from the reign of Constantine The Great who was the first Roman Emperor to convert … [Read more...]
Prince Llewelyn and Ednyfed
Llewelyn ap Iorwerth, known as Prince Llewelyn the Great, granted the Abbott and monks the land in Rhos , as well as that in Aberconwy. The first charter was in 1186. Llywelyn’s chief counsellor … [Read more...]
Colwyn Bay History Tour
Graham Roberts' book, published by Amberley Publishing, is a History Tour giving an insight into the illustrious history of Colwyn Bay. From Rhos-on-Sea to Old Colwyn, Graham Roberts takes us on a … [Read more...]
History of Eirias Park
“The park by the sea”, as Eirias Park was once described, covers 50 acres. The first 27 acres were bought by the council on April 12th, 1921 and the remainder in 1929. The playing fields were … [Read more...]
Richard II meets a sticky end near Colwyn Bay
It is a remarkably little known fact that in the late Middle Ages, Colwyn Bay was the setting for an event of national importance in the history of England and Wales – the downfall of king Richard … [Read more...]
The Gunpowder Plot and Rhos-on-Sea
Caught for his part in the Gunpowder Plot one of the prisoners in the Tower of London inscribed this message in 1606. What does this have to do with Colwyn Bay? Is the name familiar? Everard … [Read more...]
The Ministry of Food: a vital contribution of Colwyn Bay during wartime
Never before in its short history had the Victorian seaside resort of Colwyn Bay had such an important role. In 1940 the town made an extraordinary contribution in housing the staff and manning the … [Read more...]
World War
Many articles on the website include memories of Colwyn Bay during wartime, including the dedicating of the War Memorial and the time of the Second World War when the Ministry of Food was moved to the … [Read more...]
Lord Colwyn and the Charter of Incorporation, 1934
The presentation of the Charter of Incorporation to the Borough of Colwyn Bay took place on September 20th, 1934. The Right Honourable Lord Colwyn, born Frederick Henry Smith in Eccles in 1859, was … [Read more...]
The Wireless College
Gordon Scott Whale opened the North Wales Wireless College in Caernarfon in 1918, having trained with the Direct Spanish Telegraph Company and worked for Marconi's Wireless Telegraph Company. In … [Read more...]
Who owned our land in the 16th century?
Colwyn Bay now belongs to Conwy, but before 1996 we lived within the borders of Clwyd. Some of us born in Colwyn Bay grew up in Denbighshire not Conwy. Others have lived in three counties without ever … [Read more...]
