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.

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.

Torchlight Parade in Conwy

Torchlight, a photo by davidrobertsphotography on Flickr.

As part of the official Opening Ceremony for the Wales Rally GB on Conwy Quay, the town was full of entertainers dressed in medieval costumes. With the High Street being closed to traffic in the evening, the opportunity was taken to hold a Torchlight Parade. It weas very atmospheric and a great success, once again, well done to everyone involved.

Vanished Pubs of Conwy

The Black Lion, originally uploaded by davidrobertsphotography.

Following on from an old post about the vanished Pubs of Conwy, this is an updated list, with thanks to AngieP and Gwynedd Archives:

Conwy's pubs, past and present, vanished and in other uses (those marked * are still running as pubs today):

The Albion Vaults* (6 Uppergate Street)
The Anchor Uppergate Street (Could be same as Crown & Anchor or Hope & Anchor possibly?)
The Black Horse (West side of Castle Street - immediately to left of Aberconwy house) (In existence in 1795)
The Black Lion (Lyon) (now semi-derelict, Castle Street) (In existence in 1795) (Landlord 1895 - David Roberts)
The Blue Bell* (Castle Street) (Landlord in 1856 - Edward Jones)
The Boot Inn (now r/h side of Alfredos, Lancaster Square) (In existence in 1795) (William Lardner - Landlord in 1798)
The Bull (distinct from the Bull's Head, no idea as to location - any ideas?) (In existence in 1795)
The Bull's Head (High Street, by present Bull Cottages)
The Bridge* (Rosehill Street)
The Britannia Castle Street (Chinese Takeaway opposite NatWest Bank)
The Carpenters Arms (No 6 Berry Street)
The Castle Inn/Hotel* (High Street)(Landlady 1856 - Cordelia Owen)
The Castle View (Bangor Road, Old Co-op Building))
The Cockpit (in vicinity of the Cockpit)
The Commercial Inn Mrs Jane Fielding Llanrwst Rd Gyffin (1929)
The Conway Castle (No. 3 Berry Street) (Thomas Jones - Landlord in 1798)
The Conway [Conwy] Ferry (1798)(Landlady - Mary Davies)
The Conway [Conwy] Mariner (In existence in 1795)(Landlord - Thomas Jones)
The Crown and Anchor, Conwy (Landlord - John Jones)
The Crown Vaults Tavern (High Street, same side as Plas Mawr - Edwards Butchers Shop site?) (Miss Mary Annie Davies - Landlady 1910)
The Cross Keys, Conwy (In existence in 1903)
The Eagles Inn (Now Fisherman's Chip Shop, Castle Street) (In existence in 1795)
The Eccles Inn (Could this be a misspelling of Eagles Inn?)
The Feathers (7 Lancaster Square - currently the Post Office) (Richard Lewis - Landlord in 1798)
The Foresters Arms (Gyffin, now a private house)
The George & Dragon* (21 Castle Street)(Formerly the Tal Y Cafn)
The Hall, Conwy (Landlord - John Thomas)
The Harp Hotel (High Street, where Spar (former Woolworths) is now) (Roger Rous - Landlord in 1798)(formerly The Newborough)
The Hope and Anchor, Conwy (Landlord - Robert Jones)
The Joiners Arms (other side of Wing Gate Wall)(now house called Glanrafon)
The Kings Head (now l/h side of Castle Hotel)(Later known as Castle Vaults)
The Liverpool Arms* (on the Quay)
The Mail Coach/Coach & Horses* (High Street)
The Malt Loaf/Erskine Arms Hotel* (Rosehill Street) (Erskine Refreshment Room - on current car park)(Erskine Tap Room - Church Street)
The Mostyn Arms - Castle Street
The New Inn
The Newbridge Arms (Newborough Terrace)
The Old Bull's Head (High Street, in area where Bull Cottages are now)
The Pen y Grisia, Conway [Conwy] (1798)(Landlady - Catherine Jones)
The Plough Inn (site now occupied by Beresford Adams, Lancaster Square)
The Plough Bach (to left of Plough Inn (above))
The Railway Tavern, No.1 York Place, Conwy
The Red Lion (Lyon) (on High Street, opposite Conwy Pantry) (In existence in 1795)
The Rising Gull (Berry Street)
The Royal Oak Tavern (house to right of 'Smallest House' on Quay)
The Ship Tavern (now Pen Y Bryn Tearooms, High Street) (In existence in 1795)
The Ship (Castle Street)(next to the Eagles)
The Soldiers Rest (by Berry Street Arch) (May also have been called Soldiers Arms)
The Sun, Conway (In existence in 1795 - Mary Jones Landlady)
The Swan (Berry Street, 'up entry by old Co-op')
The Union Tavern (Chapel Street - now Hen Dafarn house?)
The White Horse (Uppergate Street - next to the Albion)
The White Lion, Conwy (Landlord - Nathaniel Atkinson)

Wetherspoon & the Palace Coup

It's like a Palace!, originally uploaded by davidrobertsphotography.

The news that J D Wetherspoon has confirmed their interest in opening a Pub in Conwy must surely strike dread into every existing Conwy Pub Landlord's heart.

A vast Wetherspoons emporium of cheap food and drink can only prove to be the final straw for many of Conwy's already struggling pubs. With the Albion and Mailcoach already closed, how many of the others can survive? Conwy is only a small town and the trade is already spread pretty thinly, especially in the Winter months. What effect, too, will it have on Conwy's cafes and restaurants, as cheap food is a staple of every Wetherspoons?

The word is that Wetherspoon are interested in purchasing the Palace Bingo building and converting that into a pub. This would make perfect sense for them - all of Conwy's existing pubs are way too small for a Wetherspoon style operation - talk of them purchasing the Albion is just fanciful.

Major investment by a business is usually always very welcome but I fear in this case that the competition will be too much for Conwy's independent pubs.

Conwy Castle

Conwy Castle, originally uploaded by davidrobertsphotography.

The weak January sunshine illuminates Conwy Castle and (on the right) one portal of Robert Stephenson's Tubular Bridge of 1848 carrying the Chester-Holyhead railway line..

On the floor again...

Subway from Floor Level, originally uploaded by SnakeCorp.

A shot of the Subway in Conwy, taken using the wide angle lens and laying the camera down on the floor. Nice effect, I think.

Conwy At Dusk

Conwy At Dusk, originally uploaded by SnakeCorp.

A return to Conwy to try my hand at some night photography again. Looking across the Quay towards the Castle from the Town Walls.

High Street, Conwy

High Street, Conwy, originally uploaded by SnakeCorp.

The High Street in Conwy, just after Dusk.

Coffee Illy, Conwy

Coffee Illy, Conwy (Photo Credit)

Probably my favourite place to call in for a coffee in Conwy is Coffee Illy. Tucked down the side street that links the High Street to the Quay (at the side of the Civic Hall), this small coffee ship is a treasure - friendly staff, pleasant surroundings, good service...and a great cup of coffee. Food selection is limited but they do Paninis, Cakes & Sandwiches, so fine if you're just looking for a snack.

When walking around Conwy, it's easy to overlook this place, but you'll be missing out on a treat if you do.

Save Conwy Civic Hall

Conwy Civic Hall (Photo Credit)

I'm really pleased to see the local community organising itself to defend Conwy Civic Hall (currently threatened with closure by Conwy Council). As the cutbacks bite, we have to be ready to make a stand to protect these facilities and if that means the community taking over the running of a facility like the Civic Hall directly, then so be it.

They have a Blog up and running:

http://saveconwycivichall.blogspot.com/

..and a Facebook Group:

http://www.facebook.com/home.php?sk=group_115157115214249

Please give them your support.

Launch of new Discussion Forum

After much feverish activity from both Ian and myself this week, we are pleased to launch a new discussion forum for the three towns area of Llandudno, Colwyn Bay & Conwy. The Three Towns Forum is designed to be a fresh start for discussion forums locally, free of the nonsense and problems that have plagued previous attempts.

The Three Towns Forum

Why those three towns...? Because most of us in that local area have either lived, worked or socialised in all three of the towns during our lifetime and, so, have an interest in all of them.

The Forum was born out of the old Llandudno Local forum but offers an expanded geographic coverage, together with a fresh, new design and added functionality. Everyone; whether local, visitor or just someone with an interest in Llandudno, Colwyn Bay or Conwy is welcome to read the posts and join in with their own thoughts & comments.

Signing up as a Member is free and simple - just go to www.threetownsforum.co.uk click on 'Register' at the top of the screen, enter your desired Username, Password, Email Address and your account will be created for you to start posting immediately.

We look forward to having you on board!

Foresters Arms, Gyffin

Foresters Arms, Gyffin in 1901

A reader of the blog contacted me after seeing my post about the Pubs of Conwy and kindly supplied an old photo of the Foresters Arms on Llanrwst Road in Gyffin, Conwy which, back in 1901, was run by her Grandparents, William and Charlotte Olive (nee Davies) Roberts, they also had a daughter called Olive. If anyone has any more information about the Roberts family at the Foresters Arms, in the early 1900s, please do leave a comment or email me and I will pass it on.

Writing this post reminded me of a story in a local guidebook about the Foresters Arms, namely that it was permanently shut down as a result of being the only Pub in Britain to open on the day of Queen Victoria's funeral in 1901. However, this appears to be nothing more than an 'old wives tale', as it stayed open until 1903.

I also remembered that I had taken a photo of a gravestone in the Churchyard at Gyffin, so I dug that out and it read that Elizabeth Williams, of the Foresters Arms, Gyffin, had died in 1899 at the age of 73. Could the Roberts family have taken over the pub then?

Nowadays, the Foresters Arms is a private house. Have a StreetView look at it if you like by clicking here.

Update - November 2010: Here is the Foresters Arms in 2010. The lady in the 2010 photo is the Grand daughter of the Couple in the 1901 photo:

Foresters Arms in 2010

What's wrong with this picture...?

What's wrong with this picture? (Photo Credit)

Ah yes...the brooding majesty of the 700 year old Conwy Castle, a World Heritage Site situated high above the tidal Gyffin Estuary, teeming with wildlife. What could improve this view....certainly not the remains of the derelict Billingtons Garage, an eyesore for many years when it was open, let alone now it has been closed and boarded up for the last few years. I've said it before, I know, but...can not Conwy Council dig deep into their £50m+reserves, buy the site, flatten it and landscape the area. Please?

The Candle Factory, Gyffin

Candle Factory at Gyffin (Photo Credit)

Although it looks like a traditional mill, this building by the Gyffin stream on the Henryd Road in Conwy was actually a Candle Factory. It was established in the late 19th Century to make tallow candles (they apparently drip significantly less than wax candles), mainly to supply candles to the miners in the numerous local lead mines.

Animal fat was collected from several slaughterhouses in the area by the owner, Owen Owen (and later Llywelyn Evans), melted down and then poured into dipping troughs. The wicks were attached to a rod hanging above the trough and then dipped into the fat until the required thickness was reached. Unfortunately, the early years of the 20th century brought a decline in local mining, the introduction of oil lamps and the onset of electricity - all of which sent the candle business into steep decline. The mill eventually closed around the time of World War I and appears to have been abandoned ever since.

Some stabilisation of the building was carried out by its owner, Daffydd Roberts, a local farmer, in around 2004/5 but there appears to be no plans to bring the building back into use. Without a roof to protect the structure, its long term survival appears uncertain.

I think it would make a great artist's gallery or a set of small craft workshops, maybe even including a candle maker?

Closer look at the building (Photo Credit)

Thanks to Stan Whittaker and Christopher Draper for the information used in this post. Christopher Draper has a great book called 'Walks From Conwy', which combine a series of gentle walks with lots of historical information.

Pubs of Conwy

Once the Ship Tavern...

I thought I would compile a list of Conwy's pubs, past and present, vanished and in other uses, (around 30 in total, I believe) as I can't find one on the Internet (those marked * are still running as pubs today):

Ye Olde Mail Coach/Coach & Horses* (High Street)
The Albion Vaults* (Uppergate Street)
The Blue Bell* (Castle Street)
The George & Dragon* (Castle Street)
The Bridge* (Rosehill Street)
The Castle Hotel* (High Street)
The Liverpool Arms* (on the Quay)
The Malt Loaf/Erskine Arms Hotel* (Rosehill Street)
The Cockpit (in vicinity of the Cockpit)
The Black Lion (now semi-derelict, Castle Street)
The Ship Tavern (now Pen Y Bryn Tearooms, High Street)
The Boot Inn (now r/h side of Alfredos, Lancaster Square)
The Royal Oak Tavern (house to right of 'Smallest House' on Quay)
The Joiners Arms (other side of Wing Gate Wall)
The Soldiers Rest (by Berry Street Arch)
The Plough Inn (site now occupied by Beresford Adams, Lancaster Square)
The Plough Bach (to left of Plough Inn (above))
The Red Lion (on High Street, opposite Conwy Pantry)
The Crown Tavern (High Street, same side as Plas Mawr)
The Old Bull's Head (High Street, in area where Bull Cottages are now)
The Swan (Berry Street, now Swan Cottage B&B)
The Eagles Inn (Now Fisherman's Chip Shop, Castle Street)
The Conwy Castle (Berry Street)
The Castle View (Berry Street, now Castle View B&B)
The White Horse (Uppergate Street)
The Kings Head (now l/h side of Castle Hotel)
The Harp Hotel (High Street, where Spar (former Woolworths) is now)
The Newbridge Arms (Newborough Terrace)

Additions to my original list:
The Foresters Arms (Gyffin, now a private house)
The Bull (distinct from the Bull's Head, no idea as to location - any ideas?)
The Feathers (no idea as to location - any ideas?)
The Union Tavern (no idea as to location - any ideas?)
The Black Horse (West side of Castle Street)

I've complied a list from various sources, but any mistakes are mine. If you spot any errors or have information/anecdotes/a photo to add, please leave a message.

Once the Boot Inn...

A Slight Change...

Eagle eyed readers will have noticed that the name of the blog has changed to...

The Three Towns Blog

...in recognition of the fact that I now witter on about Conwy a lot, in addition to the usual mutterings about Llandudno & Colwyn Bay. All of the URLs remain the same however, to avoid any dead links etc. Bribes, Gifts & Death Threats to the usual email address though, please:

llandudnoandcolwynblog@gmx.com

I thank you!

Fabulous new Conwy attraction

Yes, I know, another post about Conwy...what can I say, I like the place. Anyway....you might have seen this piece in the local paper......

Fabulous new Conwy attraction!

Tourists are flocking to the new Conwy Quay visitor attraction

Visitors to Conwy's Quay area were today stunned to see the new tourist attraction provided by Conwy County Borough Council. The former row of maritime themed buildings, shops & aquarium have been swept away, to be replaced by the very latest in visitor entertainment - some wooden posts surrounded by several tones of crushed slate. Regular visitor, Alf Trippleton from Yorkshire, commented "By Gum, your council have really rolled the boat out here, haven't they? Happen there's not many World Heritage Sites that could boast an attraction like that. Puts the Taj Mahal to shame, it does." The new look Quay is the result of 27 Consultants Reports, 5 Public Consultations and 15 applications for EU Grant Funding. A spokeswoman for Conwy Council commented "We are confident that the new look Conwy Quay will do nothing whatsoever to create any jobs or wealth for the town of Conwy".

The Black Lion, Conwy

The Black Lion, Castle Street, Conwy (Photo Credit)

One of my favourite buildings in Conwy is the Black Lion (Y Llew Du), built in 1589 by John Brickdall, Vicar of Conwy (1569-1607); his initials and those of his wife appear over the door together with the date 1589 (they were married on the 10th May 1589). Brickdall's father was the Constable of Conwy Castle at the time of construction and later died of the plague.

The building was turned into the Black Lion Inn in the 1700s; a usage that continued for over 200 years (it was also the venue for the popular Monday morning Pig Market) until the 15th March 1935, when falling trade made it unviable. It then had a variety of uses, including tearooms and an antique bookshop, until it became empty in the 1990s when its condition deteriorated sharply due to dry rot. The exterior was renovated a few years back and it was then sold but no work appears to have been carried out since the sale - I believe the interior is just a shell. I just wish somebody would renovate it and bring it back into use- its a lovely old building, full of character, and in a prime spot on Castle Street.

A local artist, Jean Morgan Roberts, was born in the Black Lion and, in her book 'The Character of Conwy'*, she says "I grew up in the wonderful old atmosphere of the house with its secret passages, a cellar reputed to have an escape tunnel that led to the quay, a well, stables, stone steps to the town walls, a tower, Elizabethan fireplaces and a beautiful walled garden." You can visit her website here.

A local guidebook** states that the building has two ghosts; one being an elderly gentleman who often sits beside the large fireplace in what was once the pub's parlour (see interior photo below), smiling to himself and nodding benignly. A former proprietor stated that 'he's a nice old fellow and we've got used to him and take his appearances for granted'.

The other ghost is quite the opposite, described as being a 'tall person in a cloak', bringing with him a 'feeling of malevolence' as he haunts the upper floor of the building. A former employee stated that 'he's a real fierce character...he has rocked the bed, frightening many a sleeping person, striking terror in the dead of night". Fortunately, the second ghost is very rarely seen!

Black Lion Inn in 1935

Black Lion Antiques Shop & Tearooms in 1950s

Interior as Antique Shop & Tearooms in 1950s

Interior Plan (1939)

Rear of the Black Lion

The Black Lion or Y Llew Du is a later C16 house built by John Brickdall, Vicar of Conwy (1569-1607); his initials and those of his wife appear over the door together with the date 1589. Later in use as Black Lion Inn. Two storeys. Slate roof with massive square central chimney and second chimney to right. Walls of stone, with front wall of whitewashed pebbledash cladding with stuccoed plinth. Ledged central door in heavy frame. Two two-storey flanking rectangular gabled bays. Sash windows with horns (RAJ 10/7/03; based on CADW listing description).

Black Lion Inn - Landlords:
Edward Williams (1850s)

* - 'The Character of Conwy' by Jean Morgan Roberts. Available to purchase from her shop at 14b Castle Street, Conwy.

** - 'The Ghosts of Conwy' by Margaret Williams. Available to purchase from the 'Smallest House' on the Quay in Conwy.

See the Black Lion on Google Streetview

Finally!

Spent a very pleasant few hours in Conwy this afternoon, lovely day and lots of visitors about. I was even more pleased to see that, finally, the old Fruit N Fibre shop by the Square is being renovated - it has been a derelict wreck for 20 years, if not longer? Now please get on with tackling the 'bombsite' that Stange & Co own on the Square, oh and the Cockpit that is now almost completely derelict and, here's an idea, how about putting something on the cleared area of the Quay that actually generates some jobs and money for the town, instead of leaving it bare?