Time for a new Blog...

 

All good things come to an end and so it is for the Three Towns Blog. However, all is not lost, I am simply moving over to a new Blog with a simpler design, where the emphasis will be more on Photography. It's already up and running, feel free to come over and say hello:

www.david-roberts-photography-blog.co.uk/

Deganwy Castle Hotel

Deganwy Castle Hotel, a photo by [davidrobertsphotography] on Flickr.

The tired looking Deganwy Castle Hotel awaits the start of renovation work to convert it into a Boutique Hotel and Luxury Apartments after closing a year or two back.

Just a reminder...

Llandudno Bay from Happy Valley, a photo by [davidrobertsphotography] on Flickr.

Just a reminder of what a great part of the world we live in.

Team Extreme at Prom Day!!

Team Extreme!!, a photo by [davidrobertsphotography] on Flickr.

In spite of the weather, Prom Day at Colwyn Bay seemed to pull in the crowds after a slow start.

I especially enjoyed the 'Team Extreme' show, where a group of professional bmx riders, skaters and skateboarders performed stunts. Here's just one shot showing a BMX rider in mid air as he performs a stunt.

Time once again...

Mr. Alexander!, a photo by [davidrobertsphotography] on Flickr.

Time once again for the Llandudno Victorian Extravaganza. In spite of everything, the sun shone brightly in the end and the crowds turned up in their many thousands. Good to see everyone enjoying themselves.

Glyn Rhonwy RAF Bomb Store

Glyn Rhonwy, a photo by [davidrobertsphotography] on Flickr.

A visit today (in appalling weather) to the former RAF Bomb Store in Llanberis.

In 1939, The Air Ministry took over the former Slate Quarry at Glyn Rhonwy for use as an Ammunition Store. They built a two storey concrete building within the former quarry and piled 40 feet of slate waste on top to disguise it. Unfortunately, a poor design meant that a large section of the building collapsed, burying thousands of tonnes of ammunition and an entire train. As 20% of the entire RAF ammunition supply was stored here, this was a major calamity. The collapsed section was cleared but not rebuilt. The site continued in use until the 1950s. Then it was discovered that hundreds of tonnes of faulty explosives etc had been simply dumped in the lakes by the sides of the quarry. This resulted in a major clean up operation which lasted until 1976. The site is now awaiting development.

Full information about this site can be found here:
www.subbrit.org.uk/sb-sites/sites/l/llanberis/index.shtml

Maenofferen Slate Quarry

Maenofferen, a photo by [davidrobertsphotography] on Flickr.

An exploration this weekend of the vast abandoned Maenofferen Slate Quarry at Blaenua Ffestiniog. Once one of the largest slate quarries in the area, it eventually closed in 1998.

The large complex of buildings where the slate was cut and dressed remains intact, even down to narrow gauage railway engines and wagons standing as they were left on the final day. Time, theft and vandalism have taken their toll but much still remains and the quarry is an important relic of the industry that once employed thousands of local men.







A full photo tour of Maenofferen can be found on my Flickr website at:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/davellandudno/sets/72157629875750261/

Bad Day for Piers..

Blue Skies, a photo by [davidrobertsphotography] on Flickr.

The news that the Heritage Lottery Fund have declined to contribute £4.9m towards the restoration of Colwyn Bay Pier is certainly a setback to community group Shore Thing's plans, but not a fatal one.

Personally, I think Shore Thing would be better served just harnessing the goodwill within the community and get stuck in to tidying the pier up and getting the shoreward end building reopened - it's tatty, certainly, but perfectly usable with a few repairs. Get the cafe going again (maybe in the old bar area to take advantage of the panoramic views), get the tackle shop reopened to bring in some rent, have a display of plans/ideas for the pier, an art gallery etc etc. All this could be done for a few thousand pounds and some volunteer labour.

Surely a display of effort and enthusiasm from the local community would make organisations such as the HLF far more likely to contribute in future?

Colwyn Bay Pier Deadlock is broken

Dangerous Structure, a photo by [davidrobertsphotography] on Flickr.

After several years, the deadlock over Colwyn Bay Pier's ownership has finally been broken, with Conwy County Borough Council announcing today that it has purchased the structure. A decision is still awaited regarding a Heritage Lottery Fund to kick off the renovation work. At long last, we can look forward to some positive movement for this key element of Colwyn Bay's Promenade.

Extravaganza time is coming!

Llandudno Extravaganza 2011, a photo by [davidrobertsphotography] on Flickr.

The Llandudno Victorian Extravaganza will be taking over the streets of Llandudno on May 5th, 6th and 7th May 2012.

Visit the Extravaganza Facebook Page for all the latest information:
http://www.facebook.com/victorian.extravaganza

Looking across at Conwy Castle

Looking across at Conwy Castle, a photo by [davidrobertsphotography] on Flickr.

I took advantage of the wonderful weather today to have a wander around Conwy. Climbed up the hill to capture this image of the Castle.

Sainsburys arrives...

Sainsburys, a photo by [davidrobertsphotography] on Flickr.

The new Sainsburys Local store opened in Llandudno today, at the site of the former Woolworths/Alworths in Mostyn Street. Another vote of confidence in the town from a major business. The new Trespass and Cotton Trader stores are also nearing completion.

From Clarence Hotel to Travelodge

Clarence Hotel, a photo by [davidrobertsphotography] on Flickr.

Work has just begun on a £3m project to convert the semi-derelict Clarence Hotel in Llandudno into an 83 bedroom Travelodge. The Clarence Hotel closed several years ago, and its condition has deteriorated considerably since.

Caffe Nero

Caffe Nero, a photo by [davidrobertsphotography] on Flickr.

The newly opened branch of Caffe Nero in Llandudno is proving to be quite the success. It feels a little bit small inside (although seating is spread across two floors) but the staff are friendly and the coffee/snacks are certainly good. Worth a visit.

Top of the Pass

Top of the Pass, a photo by [davidrobertsphotography] on Flickr.

The Nant Francon is a steep sided glacial gorge dropping to Bethesda between the Glyderau and the Carneddau. The right hand side carries the busy A5 road, whilst the left carries a quiet lane from which this photo was taken.

Looking back at the Lleyn

Looking Back..., a photo by [davidrobertsphotography] on Flickr.

I went down to Trefor on the Lleyn Peninsula on Sunday in order to take a photographic look around the massive old granite quarry that is there. Whilst climbing up the former Incline to reach the Quarry, I turned around and took this shot of the beautiful coastline down there, with the snow capped mountains of Snowdonia in the distance.

Older than we thought...

The Black Lion, a photo by [davidrobertsphotography] on Flickr.

Some interesting news has emerged with regard to one of Conwy's oldest buildings, the Black Lion in Castle Street.

It now seems that it is far older than previously thought and is now regarded as the 2nd oldest medieval building in Conwy town (Aberconwy House being the first). It has been the subject of a Dendro-Chronology (counting tree rings) lab test and its timbers have been dated as felled in 1441/2 when it was an urban 2 bay open hall house with jointed crucks. The conversion into a stone walled hearth-passage vicarage by Vicar John Brickdall was dated 1589. It therefore has national importance.

Given this news, isn't it about time that CCBC took a far firmer line with the Owner that has left it to languish in a state of near dereliction? The same owner that wanted to install three en-suite bathrooms and demolish part of the building to build a car port, if my memory serves me correctly! I think its Listing should also be upped to Grade I and it was given a more sympathetic owner willing to treat it with the care its age demands..

The original article about the history of the Black Lion can be viewed here.

Only Here For The Beer...

Only Here For The Beer..., a photo by davidrobertsphotography on Flickr.

Start of the Annual 10Km Nick Beer Road Race on Llandudno Promenade this morning. Over 800 runners took part in the run right around the Orme and back to Venue Cymru. The winner usually completes in around 30 minutes, which is pretty impressive!

Llandudno Pier

Llandudno Pier, a photo by davidrobertsphotography on Flickr.

As you know, you can never have too many photos of Llandudno Pier on this Blog. I'm quite pleased with this photo, like the angle and lighting.

New Year's Eve Pier

Llandudno Pier, a photo by davidrobertsphotography on Flickr.

Looking up Llandudno Pier at about 5pm on New Years Eve.