Conwy Civic Hall Fire - 1966

 

[castell7]

castell7 Total Items: 0 Total Comments: 4

Comment #1 - Posted January 21, 2011, 08:42:12 PM The fire was reported in North Wales Weekly news of Friday June 3 1966 as having been on the previous Saturday

[DaveR]

DaveR Administrator Total Items: 2721 Total Comments: 28

Comment #2 - Posted January 22, 2011, 08:25:45 PM Ah, thank you very much - does it give any more details about the fire in the article? I seem to recall a letter in the Weekly News not so long ago, that said there was a second fire at the Civic Hall (maybe in 1968), just after it had all been refurbished? Or was I dreaming?!

[castell7]

castell7 Total Items: 0 Total Comments: 4

Comment #3 - Posted January 27, 2011, 07:51:51 PM The licence to operate a cinema was withdrawn in the 1930,s due to fire risks.-does anyone know when ? The Assembly Hall in the building was closed by the Fire officer in 1961-does anyone know if the library remained open after 1961 ? The building was re-constructed and opened by the mayor on 13 April 1966. On saturday 28 May 1966 there was a fire which destroyed all but the lower part and the front of the building I am not aware of any subsequent fires After the 1966 fire the library re-opened for business in the old Co-Op shop in Berry Street-does anyone know when ? I have read that the library moved back into the re-built concrete Civic Hall in 1971 but have not verified this yet.

[DaveR]

DaveR Administrator Total Items: 2721 Total Comments: 28

Comment #4 - Posted February 02, 2011, 01:19:52 PM All very interesting. You are quite right, I was getting muddled, there wasn't a subsequent fire - it was that the recently rebuilt interior was destroyed by fire shortly after the reopening. I expect the opening of the Palace Cinema in 1936 may have put paid to any thoughts of carrying on using the Hall as a Cinema. Do you have any ideas as to when it was originally built?

[castell7]

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Comment #5 - Posted February 19, 2011, 06:50:33 PM The land was once occupied by a house called Plas Isa-the home of the Holland Family. By 1850 it had become derelict and was demolished. In 1764 Plas Isa had 41 windows ( N.Tucker) The Market Hall was built on the plot in the mid 19 c ( 1853 per Slaters Directory )by the town council at a cost of £675. It did not have a roof until 1859. Part of it was used as a library/reading room as early as 1864. The market hall was single storey, clad in corrugated sheets, roof and all. In 1897 plans to build Council Offices on the market hall site were approved ( to celebrate Queen Victorias Jubilee year.The building cost £4800 and the first function was on boxing night 1898- A Baptist Chapel Eisteddfod. The official opening by the Mayor, Dr M J Morgan was on May Day 1899. If anyone can add to this I would be very grateful

[DaveR]

DaveR Administrator Total Items: 2721 Total Comments: 28

Comment #6 - Posted February 20, 2011, 09:50:08 PM More good information - thank you!

[Rosy]

Rosy Total Items: 0 Total Comments: 1

Comment #7 - Posted November 22, 2013, 03:23:37 PM Good lord! what an incredible picture