Newspaper extracts for Rhyl

There are many references to this area in the 15 million Welsh and English language articles from Welsh newspapers transcribed by the NLW and viewable on Welsh Newspapers Online
Below are English language articles that have been re-transcribed and extracted randomly to illustrate what is available, there are many that are not extracted here that include names of local people

• From the Rhyl Journal 10th June 1905

Rhyl Post Office Enlargement. Owing to the limited room at the Rhyl Post Office, and the continued increase of postal work, the owner of the premises (Mr John Foulkes, J.P., of Albert Villa) has acceded to the demand of the G.P.O. authorities to make a large addition. For this purpose Messrs Richard Owen & Sons, of Liverpool-who were the architects of the present structure, which was erected about 18 years ago- have been entrusted with the work of preparing the plans, &c., for the extensive alterations. The contractors, Messrs David Griffiths & Son, of Rhyl, have already commenced the work, and are to complete it by end of the year. it is proposed to take in the next-door premises, until recently used as a confectionery establishment, in order to enlarge the existing sorting-room, and to take in a portion ot the Glanglasfor property.

•  From the Rhyl Journal 24th June 1905

Rhyl. WHAT IT IS AND WHAT IT MIGHT HAVE BEEN. A descriptive writer, giving his impressions of a sea trip along the Welsh coast, makes the following interesting reference to Rhyl. Describing the view that breaks upon him on rounding the Wirral Peninsula, he says :-We can now see North Wales in front of us, and away to the left, inland towards Chester, rise to the skyline the wooded hills of Flintshire, having at their base along the shore many large and important works. The Point of Ayr, the north-west corner of Flintshire, with its disused light tower painted with red and white bands, seen some six miles on our left, is an object of note, and separating us from it are miles of dangerous sands which make, the entrance to the Dee very treacherous. Away on the slope about a mile from the point is the mansion of Talacre, and there are the heights above Gwaenysgor, 756 teet, and St. Elmo's Summer House, 769 feet above the sea, and on its seaward slope is Voelnant Telegraph and Signal Station, surrounded by a white wall. Passing vessels can communicate with Liverpool by signal. Rhyl comes rapidly into view. Everyone, however, knows Rhyl. It has a history of its own, and when we say that it may be regarded as the

Blackpool of Wales

and can boast of having as many patrons as any other two resorts in the country we need say nothing more than allude to its bracing climate, splendid stretch of sands, and one of the finest Promenades in the Principality, which is not—like its neighbour Colwyn Bay spoilt by the railway. At one time Rhyl possessed the most prosperous shipping port in Wales. All kinds of shipping were at one time in full operation, and found employment all the year round for its inhabitants. The harbour has now unfortunately become a total wreck and presents a most pitiable appearance all brought about by neglect and petty jealousy. The natives became suspicious of their English friends and gradually "canonised" them out of the place. After accomplishing their purpose, they were surprised to find that their own methods of carrying on the business lacked that industry and enterprise so necessary to retain it against the opposition of other places. At one time it was the only harbour which

Competed with Holyhead,

and in the report which George Stephenson, the great engineer, made for the establishment of a harbour of refuge in Wales, he alluded to Rhyl as being in many respects superior to Holyhead. The inhabitants, however, did nothing to encourage to enterprise, and so lost one of the best opportunities for establishing a Government harbour in the town. The enervating religious policy, then so rife in the district, prevailed. The leaders resented outside interference and looked upon criticism as direct insults. So the ministers, being beyond doubt sincerely anxious for the spiritual welfare of the flocks, succeeded in stifling all commercial elements, lest their introduction on a large scale should bring in their train contaminating influences of a character they could not control. Indeed, the same policy which prevented Rhyl becoming one of the leading ports in the county was identical with the policy pursued by the priests in France, which brought about their recent expulsion from that country and the suppression of their religious establish- ments.

• From the  Rhyl Journal 7th January 1893

NEW RHYL. A PROMISING SPECULATION. [Capt. Keatinge has favoured us with a copy of the London City Leader, in which the following appeared as a leading article.]

Mr Gladstone probab!y little thought a few weeks ago, when he was cutting the first sod for the new Cheshire railway, that his action was the cue for a number of shrewd City financiers to embark in an enterprise that promises as well as any that has yet come under our notice. As most of our readers already know, this new line, which will be about fourteen miles in length, will connect Birkenhead with the River Dee, and, with the Dee-bridge, will form an important link in a system of railways which, under the provisions of the Welsh Railways Through Traffic Act of 1889, are created one confederation of companies, and placed under the control of a joint committee for the purpose of facilitating the interchange of through traffic between South Wales and the manufacturing towns of Lancashire and Yorkshire more especially with regard to the conveyance of the coal traffic from South Wales to Birkenhead Docks and of affording an efficient competitive route between those important commercial districts by means of one continuous line of railway communication. The various Welsh railway companies who are parties to the agreements authorised by the Welsh Railway Through Traffic Act, own a total length of railway of about 400 miles, extending from Newport, Neath, Merthyr Tydvil, Swansea, and other ports and places in South Wales to the river Dee. The only other portion remaining to be constructed to complete this line of railways is the line extending from Wrexham to Ellesmere. The first sod of this undertaking was cut on June 11 last by the Hon. Mrs. G. T. Kenyon, and the works are being rapidly proceeded with. It is expected that the line will be completed by the end of next year. The gentlemen who have formed themselves into a syndicate with the object of taking advantage of this line foresaw that, with twenty miles cut off the journey from Liverpool and Manchester, the North Wales' seaside holiday resorts, being more approachable, would be better patronised, and with an energy and enterprise that does them credit they have acquired sufficient land, adjoining the present fashionable and much frequented town of Rhyl, to establish thereon a large township.   .....(part extract)...........

•  From the Rhyl Journal 17th September 1892

RHYL DISTRICT. GHOSTS.—On Monday evening Rosini's Spectral Opera and Pepper's Ghost Entertainment will be given at the Town Hall. by a very talented company of artistes. The illusions are said to be beyond anything yet attempted in this particular direction.

• From the  Rhyl Journal 1st October 1892

 RHYL DISTRICT. HAVING been appointed to the editorship of the Drysorfa, the official organ of the Calvinistic Methodists, the Rev. Cynhafal Jones, D. D., has resigned his charge of the church at China-street, Llanidloes. He leaves the town, and will take up his residence at Rhyl early in November. The rev. gentleman is to occupy the pulpit at Vale Road Chapel on Sunday next.

• From the Rhyl Record and Advertiser (Supplement) 25th January 1890

RHYL. AT LAST.—The Fire Engine, which for the last six weeks has been undergoing thorough repairs and renovation, is now in good working order, and ready for service whenever called upon. Besides ejecting certain necessary repairs in the pumping apparatus, &c., the appearance of the engine has undergone a complete transformation having been tastefully decorated, and lettered in gold. On the front appears the name of the engine 'Dreadnought' and instead of the name of the Birmingham Alliance Fire Insurance Coy., the initials of the Rhyl Improvement Commissioners are inscribed on the box. The engine has also been supplied with new lamps and other appointments incidental to its proper equipment. The whole work has been satisfactorily carried out by Mr Moses Williams, wheelwright, &c., Windsor Street.

•  From the Rhyl Record and Advertiser 1st March 1890

RHYL. CONCERT. On Wednesday evening a well attended concert was held in the Town Hall in aid of the funds of the Rhyl Prize Band. The members of this excellent band incurred a heavy liability last summer by purchasing a full set of first-class instruments; and it was quite necessary that new instruments should be got, for the old ones had been repaired and tinkered until they were no longer fit to be repaired. This purchase cost them £180, and out of that sum the members have succeeded in wiping off £55, leaving a balance of £125, and this must be cleared off at once, or the instruments will be lost to the band, and the money they have already paid will be taken by the maker for the hire of them during the past nine months. ...(part extract)..

• From the  Rhyl Record and Advertiser 9th June 1888

RHYL. THE RHYL TEMPERANCE ASSOCIATION AND "COMPENSATION."—A meeting of the above was held on Monday evening at the schoolroom connected with the English Presbyterian Chapel in Princes-street, the Rev. J. Verrier Jones presiding, in the absence of the president (Mr Jacob Jones). Mr Edward Jones (hon. sec.), it seems, has been in communication with Mr G. F. Cook, a popular temperance advocate, with a view of inducing him to undertake a mission in this town in the autumn. The upshot of the matter has been that Mr Cook has consented to pay Rhyl a visit in October, when he will conduct an eight-days' mission (from 13th to 22nd). ....(part extract).....

• From the  Rhyl Record and Advertiser 21st May 1898

RHYL. AS OTHERS SEE US—We extract the following from the "Sporting Chronicle" anent the recent discussion at the Council meeting on the disfigurement of the pavilion approaches by soap advertisements:—

"The Councillors of Rhyl have a very pretty sense of the appropriate. Because the managers of the Pier had allowed a certain Soap Company to decorate the approaches with big staring advertisements until the visitor did not know whether fresh sea air or soap was the thing most needed to make life enjoyable at Rhyl, the Council objected, and thought that the Pier authorities ought to remove those terrible announcements. The sensitive Councillors said the advertisements were a great eyesore, and very detrimental to the sea front. They caused a pang of sorrow to shoot through the artistic souls of all who saw them. and made a woman look older than a man in no time, so to speak. No doubt the advertisements were a financial item to the Pier people, but such a sordid consideration should never weigh with those who had charge of the beauty and serene splendour of Rhyl's commanding attraction..... (part extract)....."

• From the Rhyl Record and Advertiser 31st October 1891

RHYL. THE LATE LIFEBOAT COXSWAIN.—The following is an extract from a printed report of the minutes of a meeting of the Committee of the National Lifeboat Institution held Sept 10th.

"The Committee specially recognized the good services rendered by Mr Joseph Evans, who had been coxswain of the Rhyl Lifeboat for ten years, and had resigned. During that period the boat had been launched nine times on service and saved twelve lives"

• From the  Rhyl Record and Advertiser (Supplement) 5th December 1891

RHYL. THE NEW CEMETERY.—The work of laying out the new cemetery for burial purposes, is now being actively proceeded with. Mr John Roberts, ironmonger, Queen Street, who sent in the lowest tender, has been entrusted with the contract for supplying the hurdles with which the portion set apart for burial will be enclosed.

• From the Rhyl Record and Advertiser 23rd March 1901

RHYL. THE WEATHER.-While in several parts of England including the South Coast there has been during the past week a heavy fall of snow with piercing east winds, we in Rhyl have had uninterrupted sunshine, which despite the somewhat keen east winds has made the atmospheric conditions very agreeable and pleasant.