Colwyn Bay Heritage

  • English
  • Cymraeg
Home
About
Acknowledgements
Walks
News
History & Heritage
Pensaernïaeth
Bay Youth
Book Shelf
Useful Links
Business
Churches
Colwyn Bay
Colwyn Bay People
Education
Eirias Park
Eisteddfod
Entertainment
Ministry of Food
Old Colwyn
Open Spaces
Oral History
Pier and Pavilion
Police
Rhos-on-Sea
Shops
Sport
Theatre
Tourism
Town Features
Transport
Welsh
World War
Oral History
Galleries
Timeline
Contact
Menu
Colwyn Bay Heritage > Colwyn Bay People > Helen Finch

Helen Finch

The opening conversation of Helen Finch’s interview is about the government buildings in Dinerth Road which were originally planned as a hospital.

Helen has many memories of being in school at Lyndon during wartime. A chance meeting on the tram brought her Mother’s friend, a civil servant from the Ministry of Food tea department, to lodge at their house.

Helen remembers the American nurses practicing pitching tents on Rydal field. They also played basketball. They set up a ‘PX’ and American store to provide sweets, nylons and other things unavailable here. They gave the children sweets as an icebreaker. Helen’s only experience of the US was through the films at the Odeon,the Playhouse and the Cosy. The Americans had a Cold store for provisions at Glan Conwy corner, which still exists today. She discusses the availability of butter during wartime.

Her school, Lyndon, had to accommodate a great many children from Jewish families who evacuated to holiday homes in North Wales for the war. Many furriers had businesses in town. One family had a pig farm. Helen talks of other contributions by the town towards the war effort. The Townswomen’s Guilds were very active and the churches had knitting circles. Everyone had to be gainfully employed. She speaks of planes flying over town in the evenings, some jettisoning bombs, and the local people saw Liverpool on fire when an ammunition train was bombed. Many of the young evacuee children from Liverpool came ‘sewn into’ their clothes and had ‘nits’, a problem which still exists today. Wartime brought a new perspective with people working together to strengthen morale.

Helen was interviewed by Cindy.

Listen to Helen Finch’s memories here: http://colwynbayheritage.org.uk//wp-content/uploads/2014/01/Heritage-Group-Helen-Finch-2006-Copy.lite_.mp3

Related Posts

  • Scandal at Congo HouseScandal at Congo House
  • Rose Hill Cottages, Old ColwynRose Hill Cottages, Old Colwyn
  • No Lottery Funding for the Victoria PierNo Lottery Funding for the Victoria Pier
  • <!--:en-->05. James Alexander Barr Tennis Centre<!--:--><!--:cy-->05. Canolfan Tenis James Alexander Barr<!--:-->05. James Alexander Barr Tennis Centre
  • Then and Now 2020: Colwyn Bay Heritage SocialThen and Now 2020: Colwyn Bay Heritage Social
  • <!--:en-->St. Paul’s Church, Abergele Road<!--:--><!--:cy-->Eglwys Sant Paul, Ffordd Abergele<!--:-->St. Paul’s Church, Abergele Road

Filed Under: Colwyn Bay People, Oral History

About

We are the Colwyn Bay Heritage Group. Our aim is to make the heritage and history of the Colwyn Bay easily accessible and better known amongst those who live here or are  interested in understanding … Read More

Topics

Latest posts

  • St. John’s Church House, Cliff Road, Old Colwyn
  • The Wren’s Nest, Lansdowne Road
  • Woods Department Store, Station Road
  • Williams Deacon’s Bank, Conwy Road
  • Rydal School – Costain Building and Memorial Hall

Useful Pages

  • Home
  • News
  • Useful Links
  • Contact

Follow us on Facebook

Legal

  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms and Conditions
Colwyn Bay Heritage Online

Copyright © 2022 Colwyn Bay Heritage Online. All rights reserved.

Colony of Ants Web Design and Development