Llandudno Pier & Pavilion - Old Photos & Memories

[SteveH]

Recalling halcyon days of setting sail with excursion steamer St Tudno

THIS week’s Nostalgia looks back at St Tudno, the excursion steamer that became a regular feature of the North Wales coastline.

https://www.northwalespioneer.co.uk/resources/images/13801116.jpg?type=article-full

Taking thousands of passengers with each trip, the vessel was part of the fleet of the Liverpool and North Wales Steamship Company, a pleasure cruise company founded in 1890.

[mull]

Interesting photos bringing back many happy memories.

Top photo is St Tudno departing Llandudno Pier. Unusual as unless it was right on High tide it was usual to go astern off the pier, also notice ensign is at Half Mast.

Lower photo at Liverpool Landing Stage. North Wales steamer is St Seiriol and not St Tudno, ahead is Isle of Man ferry King Orry another regular visitor to Llandudno after Liverpool and North Wales S S CO  when out of business.

Happy Days !

[Ian]

I thought that was Liverpool Landing stage.

[SteveH]

Tour North Wales' piers through time with these fascinating photos
From Llandudno to Bangor and Colwyn Bay - we have some impressive tourist destinations

photo gallery    https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/nostalgia/gallery/tour-north-wales-piers-through-24110363

Work being carried out the pier in the seaside resort of Llandudno, North Wales. December 6, 1990

[Ian]

The DP photos are fascinating, Steve. I've managed to rescue all the original photos from the site and I suspect it only needs a link fixing, and they'll all display again.

[SteveH]

The article below mentions .........  Joe Burns, from Brighton, is joined by Mark Poulton in Weymouth, Dorset, and Jason Codman in Llandudno, Wales, as the last three full time beach performers.

Heatwave sparks Punch and Judy revival

THE recent heatwaves have sparked a revival of Punch and Judy after verbal abuse threatened to end the shows for good.

The puppet show dates back to 16th century Italy, but gained popularity at British seaside resorts.

Professional Punch and Judy performer Joe Burns, from Brighton, said the seaside institution was under threat with only a few full-time shows left, with performers experiencing verbal attacks.

cont https://www.theargus.co.uk/news/20668432.heatwave-sparks-punch-judy-revival-verbal-abuse-shows/?ref=rss&IYA-reg=49560bcd-5a9c-47f0-8fc5-ba2e71710589

[Ian]

It originated with commedia dell'arte.

[huwthomas]

Hello, I found this old discussion about the portrait artist William Richardson and I'm looking for anyone who may have known him. I'm a BBC journalist and I'm hoping to reach those who can talk about Richardson's work as an artist, and specifically about the portraits he painted for the families of the children who died in the Aberfan disaster.

Dave Apologies I think I deleted your original post about the Pier sketch artist, sorry.
So I have cut and pasted it back above my post. Read Below.

DaveR
Re: Pier silouettes
« Reply #7 on: November 15, 2010, 08:57:40 AM »
I always recall the name Richardson as doing the Silhouettes?

"In 1960 William Richardson left his native Potteries for Llandudno when he was 37 and became a star tourist attraction in his adopted town.

The former student of Burslem School of Art made his name doing quick-sketch portraits of visitors in his tiny studio on the pier, completing a charcoal drawing in 15 minutes.

When I met him nearly 20 years ago, William told me he'd drawn around 30,000 people and couldn't remember one dissatisfied customer in more than 30 years.

His sitters included two Prime Ministers, Harold Wilson and Margaret Thatcher. Both were in Llandudno in the days when party conferences were held at the resort.

William recalled another visitor who told him she'd been recommended to go to him by her neighbour – in Peru!"

You are not allowed to view links.




Clive Massey
(Tel and Address removed by admin)

17 November 2016

Dear Sirs,
DaveR, Fester, Merddin Emryss

The Late William Richardson – Sketch Artist Llandudno Pier

I’m currently researching the History of the late William Richardson, Sketch Artist from the Llandudno, Colwyn Bay & Conwy area who sadly passed away aged 93 in March 2016.

I’ll explain my particular interest in him in a moment but firstly I’m having a little trouble navigating around the site / responding to entries such as you 3 contributors. So please forgive me if I’ve broken any protocols.

Are you or any of the local parishioners aware that William Richardson painted the large Artwork ‘Aberfan Calvery’ depicting the tragedy of the 116 children that lost their lives in the 1966 disaster. I make this connection, as back in early 1966, I moved into a house in Windermere Road, Clayton, Newcastle under Lyme, Staffordshire. The house was directly opposite a small Co-operative Supermarket which was managed by a Welshman William Richardson. I spoke with him often and found him to be a quiet reserved man.

Not long after the Aberfan disaster Mr Richardson left this employ & moved on elsewhere. In 1967 a local newspaper printed a short article showing a photograph of Mr Richardson, Clayton Co-op Manager standing in front of the large painting (approx. 7 feet x 4 feet). The article stated that Mr Richardson had in 1967 contacted the relatives of the deceased children explaining that he wished to painted a memorial of the children and asked for copies of photographs, details of hair colour etc. The article stated that the work of art was hanging in one of the Aberfan churches. I immediately recognised him. My understanding is that the picture has the 116 children painted along the outstretched arms & body outline of Christ and is catalogued as ‘Aberfan Calvary.’


The 50th Anniversary of this dreadful event past recently and as I’d often wondered what had happened to both the Artist and picture I contacted some of the Churches in the Aberfan & Merthyr area but no-one seemed to know very much about the subject.

I eventually spoke with the Local authority Archives at Cyfartha Castle Museum, Art Gallery & Archives, Cyfarthfa Park, Brecon Rd, Merthyr Tydfil CF47 8RE. To my surprise and understanding I learned that William Richardson painting had never been on display in any of the area churches. It seems that decision makers and possible the relatives of the lost souls decided that the painting was ‘Too Direct’ given the sensitivity of the subject.

The painting is housed in the Archives of the Cyfartha Park facility and can be viewed by any interested person free of charge by a simple request to the Archivist. The Lady Archivist explained that during the course of a year quite a number of people visit from across the globe asking to see the painting. The Staff are more than happy to arrange a viewing. She further stated that if and when anyone asked about the Author William Richardson they had no knowledge of him, current whereabouts and details of any other artworks by him.

My searches on Google brought up the link that connected everything together i.e. comments on the Three Towns Forum website by, DaveR, Fester & Merddin Emryss.

PURPOSE OF RESEARCH

I am satisfied beyond reasonable doubt that your Pier Sketch Artist was rather more than just a sketch artist but seemingly a man of hidden, kindness, love and skill. He was the man who created the Aberfan painting.

During the course of my research I’ve been in contact with dozens of people from both the Merthyr & North Wales Llandudno areas, all of whom have been excited and happy to help.

The purpose of this work is to have sufficient information to place in the Archives at Merthyr & Llandudno area archives. However we are lacking in a few bits and pieces that would enhance William Richardson’s persona and respect for what he really was.


I still have further enquiries to make. Earlt in 2017 I intend to travel to Merthyr to view the painting.

In a perfect world it would be marvellous if we could locate a photograph of him (to be copied), Photographic copy of any piece of artwork created by him i.e. copy of any sketch he made whilst working on the pier.

I’m happy to meet the cost of copying any photos, documents etc.

The smallest bit of info could be very useful.

Thanks for reading and hope someone can respond positively.


Clive Massey.