Colwyn Victoria Pier Trust Campaign

31/10/2026

Did You Know...?

1. The Pavilion and Pier of Colwyn Bay was one of the first in the town to be fully lit by 'The Electric Light'.

2. Lady Erskine gifted the Di**le to the imagined townsfolk for perpetuity to enjoy.

3. In 1892 Marine Drive was opened with the subway under the railway. In 1900* to celebrate the opening of Victoria Pier, its name was changed to Victoria Drive. (*Still trying to prove this for definite)

4. John Pender purchased Pwllycrochon because his mother-in-law lived at Bodlondeb and he was forever trying to impress her (she had never felt he was good enough for her daughter).

5. Richard II was captured on the route of the Old Highway - a kingdom lost right here in Colwyn Bay.

6. There is a 'grave' at the Welsh Mountain Zoo containing the ashes of two Victorian gentlemen friends.

7. One of the only remaining purpose-built motor car turntables (and garage) in Wales is located on Pwllycrochan Avenue.

8. Queens Hotel Old Colwyn was the HQ for the Flying Food squad or the Meals on Wheels during WW2 (vans that arrived at bombed out towns to feed those homeless and helping).

9. Congo House in Colwyn Bay taught Nelson Mandela's mentor, Davidson Don Tengo Jabavu, who was one of the early African students trained at the institute.

10. Colwyn Bay is home to Theatr Colwyn, which is the oldest working cinema and theatre in Wales.

31/10/2026

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Did You Know...?

1. The Pavilion and Pier of Colwyn Bay was one of the first in the town to be fully lit by 'The Electric Light'.

2. Lady Erskine gifted the Di**le to the imagined townsfolk for perpetuity to enjoy.

3. In 1892 Marine Drive was opened with the subway under the railway. In 1900* to celebrate the opening of Victoria Pier, its name was changed to Victoria Drive. (*Still trying to prove this for definite)

4. John Pender purchased Pwllycrochon because his mother-in-law lived at Bodlondeb and he was forever trying to impress her (she had never felt he was good enough for her daughter).

5. Richard II was captured on the route of the Old Highway - a kingdom lost right here in Colwyn Bay.

6. There is a 'grave' at the Welsh Mountain Zoo containing the ashes of two Victorian gentlemen friends.

7. One of the only remaining purpose-built motor car turntables (and garage) in Wales is located on Pwllycrochan Avenue.

8. Queens Hotel Old Colwyn was the HQ for the Flying Food squad or the Meals on Wheels during WW2 (vans that arrived at bombed out towns to feed those homeless and helping).

9. Congo House in Colwyn Bay taught Nelson Mandela's mentor, Davidson Don Tengo Jabavu, who was one of the early African students trained at the institute.

10. Colwyn Bay is home to Theatr Colwyn, which is the oldest working cinema and theatre in Wales.

30/10/2026

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Thank you to Pwllycrochon History for this sad spooky tale 👻

October Tales: A supernatural phenomenon or merely coincidence?

When the new extended promenade between Colwyn Bay and Old Colwyn was opened, right up until the 1940s, parts of it did not have railings.

The tempestuous seas unfortunately seemed to draw certain people towards the sea and intriguingly numerous records throughout the centuries report pairs of women being pulled into the sea or drowning at Colwyn Bay between the Old Colwyn End and the point of the extended promenade where the Colwyn Bay Hotel used to stand.
I'm not saying the two young ladies who had perched on the rocks in the late 1890s are ghostly siren figures, but one has to wonder...

One such stormy day in 1892 is that very first report: two ladies armed with parasols, paint boxes and easels clambered down the steep embankment and set themselves up to paint the scene. Unfortunately their parasol blew down on to the sands and as one woman carefully picked her way down the rocks towards the bobbing parasol, her foot was caught and she toppled into the waves. Her sister quickly went to her aid, but she too was swept into the sea. Their heavy skirts and the relentless waves saw them drown.

Some years later in 1905, very close to the same spot, a nurse and her patient were taking the air. They had come down from the Convalescent Home at Glan y Don. She was reportedly staring at the hypnotic waves rolling in, whilst her nurse sat on one of the many benches dotted along the Promenade, when a large wave unexpectedly swept her into the heavy seas. Her nurse immediately sprang into action, shouting some gentlemen nearby to help before plunging into the waves and pulling her patient back onto shore. Another wave however dragged the nurse back out and the gentlemen were unable to reach her in time and she too drowned.

In 1913 yet another two women were drowned, close by the scene of the previous accidents. This time rescuing a dog. The dog survived, the two ladies did not.

And throughout the years pairs of women on this stretch are reported drowned...is it the hypnotic call of the sea? Or is it the two Victorian ladies calling?
As All Hallows Eve approaches, may their souls rest in peace.

16/10/2026

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Congratulations Colwyn Bay wins the Gold award in Wales in Bloom competition.
It was an honour to be included in the presentation to the judge. 🥇🏆

02/09/2026

Still thinking about learning Welsh? 🏴

Well… “rydw i’n mynd i ddysgu Cymraeg rhyw ddiwrnod” (“I’m going to learn Welsh one day”) is a lovely thought — but one day could be this Monday or Thursday! 😉

Our friendly Welsh lessons in Colwyn Bay start in just a few days, and we still have a few places left for complete beginners.

Never spoken a word of Welsh? Dim problem!
Our relaxed classes are designed to help you learn at your own pace, meet new people and have a bit of fun along the way.

📚 30 weeks of lessons
💷 Just £45, including your course booklet
📅 Monday or Thursday evenings
📍 Colwyn Bay
🌱 Complete beginners very welcome

So if learning Welsh has been sitting on your “I really must get around to that” list… this is your sign! 😉

There’s still time to register — but places are limited. Contact us at the email below:

📧 [email protected]

Registration forms are also available from our fundraising shop at 30 Penrhyn Road, Colwyn Bay.

Dewch i ddysgu Cymraeg! 💚

27/08/2026

Better late than never - especially as Facebook was flooded with pictures the night of the eclipse. I managed to capture a few of the pier on a lovely night. Didn't realise it at the time, but despite not seeing anything much happening up in the sky - the phone lens did something weird and captured a reflection showing the partial eclipse just after it had happened. I like a silhouette shot, hope you do too.

26/08/2026

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The next Then & Now meeting will be at St. Paul’s Church, Colwyn Bay on Wednesday 9th September. FREE talk.

St Paul’s is one of the most significant buildings in the town and our meeting provides a unique opportunity for us to explore in detail its contribution to the development of Colwyn Bay over the years.

You can find out more on our website here: https://colwynbayheritage.org.uk/the-history-of-st-pauls-church/

19/07/2026

05/07/2026

🇬🇧 Fancy learning a little Welsh? 🏴

Whether you’ve always wanted to give it a go, have recently moved to the area, or just want to feel more confident using a few everyday phrases, we’d love to welcome you!

Our friendly, relaxed Welsh classes are back this September, and they’re perfect for complete beginners as well as anyone looking to brush up on what they already know. There’s no pressure, no exams – just lots of encouragement, plenty of laughs, and a chance to meet new people.

☕ Learn at your own pace
😊 Friendly, supportive atmosphere
💬 No previous Welsh needed
🤝 Make new friends and build confidence

📅 Choose from:
Monday evenings (7 September 2026 – 19 April 2027) or
Thursday evenings (10 September 2026 – 22 April 2027)

🕖 7:00pm – 9:00pm

💷 Just £45 for the full 30-week course, including your course booklet.

📍 Lessons are held at 20 Station Road, Colwyn Bay.

✨ Places are limited, so early booking is recommended!

To book your place or find out more, email:
📧 [email protected] or call in our fundraising shop Siop Pier Bae Colwyn for a form at 30 Penryhn Road, Colwyn Bay, Conwy. LL29 8LG.

Dewch i ddysgu Cymraeg gyda ni – Come and learn Welsh with us! 💚❤️🤍