Llandudno in the 50s

[reelhistory]

Hello,

I'm researching for a BBC show that's looking at holidays in the UK back in the 50s.  I'm trying to track down someone that may have remembered this period and would like to share their memories.  Ideally it would be someone that was involved in a B&B/Hotel in Llandudno in the 50s and is still doing it.  However, I'm very interested to hear from anyone that has memories of Llandudno from that time. Any help, or suggestions, are very welcome.

Diolch!

Dylan

[Ian]

I'm fairly sure we can help you, Dylan.  The galleries have a huge number of stills from the '50s, and we also host a large number of postcards from that era.

[Michael]

And a few old codgers who write messages

[Ian]

Perhaps you could contribute something, Mike?

[Michael]

Well yes and no. I was still living in Rhos until 1949 so I remember the immediate postwar period, but then I went into the R.A.F. and I never really returned to this area, although my parents and sister still lived here. Also I've never had or lived in a B and B. But obviously if I can help, I will

[Ian]

There must be some members who know of someone who was around and possibly working the B & B trade during the '50s?

[suepp]

my mum helped my grandmother who was a single mum run a boarding house from a young age providing B&B & EM throughout the 40's 50's and early 60's. I remember standing on a chair helping with the washing up! She's not involved in the trade any more though

During WW2 people from the Inland Revenue stayed there

[Fester]

Oh, Suepp... what a fantastic postcard, or advert, from that time... it rivals any marketing gimmick from today... superb.

I would have rushed to pay my ten-bob deposit to stay in such a place.

[mull]

This brings back memories.
In late 1940s/1950s my Nain stayed in a cottage in Penrhynside.
During the summer she used to have couples from the Manchester/Stoke area to stay at the cottage.
I am not certain but I think they brought their own food and she used to cook the meals for them. At the time my parents lived in Liverpool but I spent a lot of the school holidays in Penrhynside.
Used to go round to my Uncle Dick & Auntie Jane a lot . They lived in Howard Place so must have passed close to were Suepp was staying. Uncle Dick was a Postman in Llandudno for many years.
Used to spend hours at West Shore sailing my model yacht after travelling down from Penrhynside on the tram. All this wandering around under 10 years of age on my own.
Different world then.
If I can remember any more I will post it.

[Ian]

Dylan:  one valuable resource would be the advertising booklets Llandudno used to produce during the '50s. Packed with illustrated adverts from every guest house, hotel and camp site imaginable, they formed mini-compendia of life at that time and made a pretty good snapshot of the thriving tourist industry. 

[suepp]

My other Grandparents used to cater for holidaymakers in their  little house in Denness Place, there must have been a huge demand for affordable holidays and the locals could take advantage - good for them!

This is from The Llandudno Holiday Magazine 1954

[suepp]

[Ian]

Excellent stuff, Suepp.

[suepp]

I wonder who organised the yacht races etc? The other thing Llandudnohad at that time that they don't any more  was the Lido swimming pool complex linking the West Shore with Deganwy

[hollins]

This is from The Llandudno Holiday Magazine 1954

Suepp, How wonderful that you have kept or found documents like these. They bring back memories for me of my visits to the seaside in the 50's, especially the donkey rides.