Llawr Mill Old Colwyn

[crookdave]

Does any one have any information or pictures of the old mill that once stood at the side of Llaw Pentre in Old Colwyn

[Cambrian]

There seems to have been only one mill in the location you mention.  This was called Colwyn Mill.
There's a photo of it dated from about 1890 in the Jubilee Supplement of the old Llandudno, Colwyn Bay and District Field Club which was published in 1956.  Colwyn Bay Library will have a copy and probably you could buy one from Andy at Bay Bookshop.

[crookdave]

Thanks for that I will check it out, but I have asked in the Colwyn Bay bookshop several times without any look, but I will again with your info on the book.

Many Thanks
David

[Hugo]

I'm not familiar with the history of that area but I'm just reading a book called "Colwyn Bay it's origin and growth" by Norman Tucker and at pg 144 he mentions Felin Eithin  ( Gorse Mill).   This Mill was opposite the old well and was a two storey building with the gable end to the road, built by Mr Clough.
It seems to be in the area of Llawr Pentre.

[suepp]

This is an old postcard from my collection dated 1905,  - It's not the best image, but I have always wondered what the large building is in front of the house at the top of the hill. I don't know Old Colwyn at all, so have no idea of any of the landmarks.

[DaveR]

The white castle building was a Folly built as a Smoking Room for a larger house. It's still there today on Beach Road, here's a StreetView photo:
http://goo.gl/maps/OS9qx

[viv]

Look at the Facebook group Colwyn Bay Past and present  - loads of old photos there and I'm sure that the Mill is on there.

[Hugo]

Local historian Dilys Thomas wrote about the wheelwright  Edward Davies in her book Memories of Old Colwyn.

 She said: 'Edward Davies was reputed to be the finest wheelwright in North Wales.

 'He would have made wheels for carts, wagons and three-wheeled bicycles - the old penny farthings.

 'He sold his business in about 1900 and moved to Lavister, near Chester, where he became wheelwright to the Duke of Westminster.'

 Thomas' book, now available only in libraries, tells how all local business was done in Llawr Pentre as it was the hub of Old Colwyn. Even the coastguard lived there in the 1860s.

 Llawr Pentre, which could be translated as 'floor of the village', is a long road. There was a mill at one end where Mill Drive is now The wheel at Llawr Pentre was driven by water from the mill
 in Penybryn. Twice a day, a gate was opened so the water flowed down from Fairy Glen into the pond and turned the wheel to grind farmers' corn. And the wheelwright was on hand to replace or repair wheels from corn and flourcarrying carts.

[Hugo]

Have a look at this slideshow of Old Colwyn and I hope you find it interesting.

http://email.tripwow.com/wf/click?upn=UJjzIXJNvPp-2FSIzB-2Fydsuw3CkzuokuPPc3pFcw-2Bi7F1N9irIdb7MK1PIWjPhtieAaN1rj4iUq18qxxNGIX9NW4Dkxga7jpZFnDy6OIwRMkA-3D_s3yat69m4RQvnvwQ4GS-2FmwJ28MngEBSEEZrAwLSmOAGoTSGMA4Va5vy4GvpMomQyfcdlhMVWjR7FTq5U-2FXUTX0PS51sJ1gIfeojafNH5BcPLQOT2M-2BggocljNPI8LRROOT-2BDw1c3XKCcpKzvFwrv1BrNs774GnsrO4xfZnC9dPIP58mt6ld9v5i-2BaC1Qpgb40X-2BG9-2BSaqhDje8F1zfpTAg-3D-3D

[crookdave]

Hi Hugo, I think this is the Wheelrights in Llaw Pentre,
I have three of Dilys Thomas's Books but I can't recal any pictures of the Mill, I do have one but very rare, in fact I work with someone who lived in the old mill house before it was demolished in the early 70's and the only picture he has is one which I gave him, I believe this mill had two wheels not one, I have attached an etching of what I am led to believe is the Old Colwyn Mill and the other immage is the one in the one in Norman Tuckers Book.

Many thanks for all your replies, very much appreciated

David