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Informal and formal statistics to show the town has developed.

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Past projects that aimed to regenerate Rhyl

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Numerous schemes are planned to regenerate different areas of Rhyl

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Investigate Census and online statistics about who lives in Rhyl

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Easy site to navigate, with drop-down option to investigate many other areas. Also be displayed in a pie/bar chart rather than using table method. http://www.ukcensusdata.com

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Occupation | Rhyl West - UK Census Data 2011

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Occupation | Rhyl West. 2011 Census Data for all census areas in England and Wales.

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Rhyl's population by age and sex.

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Rhyl USD through time | Population Statistics | Age and Sex Structure to age 85 and up

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Beta: A vision of Britain through time...

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Key dates in Rhyl's history.

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Information about Rhyl's History and Heritage, provided by the Rhyl Town Council. Rhyl, Denbighshire, North Wales, LL18 1LE

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Rhyl is the largest town centre for shopping within Denbighshire. The tourism industry has decreased steadily - how to appeal a wider audience.

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Case study on housing in West Rhyl and measuring its successes.

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The first new field to be brought on stream in Morecambe Bay for ten years."

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Has now been closed for the new water park.

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Youngsters in Rhyl have helped design the skatepark

North Wales' biggest skatepark has opened in Denbighshire.
Local youngsters have helped design the £160,000 park in Rhyl, which has been funded by a Welsh Assembly Government initiative.

The seafront area beneath the town's sky tower has been transformed with ramps, rails, fun boxes and pipes to create a venue for roller sports enthusiasts.

Work began on the venue in May after skateboarders helped developers draw up the plans.

Local authority officials say it is the first of a number of plans drawn up to revamp the seaside resort's promenade.

Denbighshire council's head of public protection, Ken Ewing, said: "This is a big kick start to the area and a positive development in West Rhyl.

It has been designed to the specifications of the local youngsters who will have open access to the park, from dawn till dusk

Ken Ewing, Denbighshire council

"I hope it shows we mean business in our plans to bring prosperity to this part of the town.

"It has been designed to the specifications of the local youngsters who will have open access to the park, from dawn till dusk."

The west ward in Rhyl was classified as the most deprived area of Wales in 2000.

The new park was opened on Saturday morning by Vale of Clwyd Assembly Member, Ann Jones.

In February 2003, more than 150 people attended a public meeting to view a presentation by a leading skatepark manufacturer.

Skateboarders, who said they did not have anywhere to use their boards safely, were able to chose which design they wanted.

Regeneration

Denbighshire councillor Michael German said it had been a successful venture which involved many from the West Rhyl Young People's Project.

The £160,000 park is built underneath the sky tower

"The children were given a say in what they wanted and I think this time we have a working formula," he said.

"Of course, the proof of the pudding will be in the eating but it looks good.

"I'm very proud of it."

He added that the next step is to give the park a name.

The county's other £27,000 skatepark at Prestatyn, which opened in February, has been named "No Fear" by its users.

The money for the scheme has been made available through the Welsh assembly's Communities First initiative, a regeneration scheme targeting the most deprived areas of Wales.

Funding has also been used to create priority policing areas, improve the late night economy and clean up the town centre of Rhyl.

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BBC NEWS | UK | Wales | North East Wales | Skatepark opens in Rhyl

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Youngsters in Rhyl have helped design the skatepark North Wales' biggest skatepark has opened in Denbighshire. Local youngsters have helped design the £160,000 park in Rhyl, which has been funded by a Welsh Assembly Government initiative. The seafront area beneath the town's sky tower has been transformed with ramps, rails, fun boxes and pipes to create a venue for roller sports enthusiasts.

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BBC - Old pictures of Rhyl

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Photos reveal a very different resort, including pier, horse-drawn beach huts and more.

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Rhyl's history from 1841-2011 (using census data)

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Rhyl's history from 1841-2011 (using census data)

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Several themes to compare the past and present.

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Denbighshire District through time | Census tables with data for the District/Unitary Authority

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Beta: A vision of Britain through time...

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Who the community are, what job sectors they occupy and the place itself.

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Projects to increase job opportunities in Rhyl

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Projects to increase job opportunities in Rhyl

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Developments to kick-start the economy of North Wales - including a leisure plan and retail scheme - are set to create thousands of jobs in 2016.

These projects will boost every sector and county in the region - from construction to renewables and from Wrexham to Holyhead.

The Daily Post has focused on six key projects that have the potential to create 8,000 jobs in the long term and give a massive shot in the arm to the region's economy.

These range from the Parc Bryn Cegin leisure development in Bangor to the Northern Gateway project on Deeside.

Iwan Thomas, Regional Skills & Employment Coordinator, with the North Wales Economic Ambition Board(NWEAB), said: "The level of proposed investment in North Wales by the private sector, supported by the NWEAB partners is really encouraging for the economy.

"These are projects that will deliver opportunities for significant and sustained growth over the years to come and give a real boost to the construction industry in the next year.

"The challenge for us is to ensure that the economic benefits from the projects are maximised for the region, in terms of continuing to support the promotion and development of appropriate skills to help secure good quality long term employment for local people, and securing contracts for local businesses to benefit from the work."

Arfon MP Hywel Williams said: "I'm glad that things are moving at last on part of the Bryn Cegin site after the site lying idle for 15 years.

"I hope that any development will kick start interest in the rest of the site and stimulate job opportunities in the North West and Gwynedd, particularly for our young people."

Bryn Cegin Leisure plan

After lying empty for more than 15 years Bryn Cegin, development could finally start at the gateway site in Bangor.

Under proposals unveiled in December, developer Liberty Properties Developments plans to build a cinema, five restaurants, a family pub and a Welsh produce shop with the possibility to include a Tourist Information Centre and a drive through coffee shop.

The scheme on the Welsh Government owned land has the potential to create 400 jobs and meet demand for leisure facilities in the university city.

It is hoped it could also help the future development of the site and encourage investment into Bangor.

Jobs potential: 400

Will it happen? Public and Welsh Government backing so chance of a blockbusting scheme starting this year.

Tidal power on Anglesey

Power projects are behind the plans for the regeneration of Anglesey in the coming years with Wylfa Newydd and also the Holyhead biomass project at the former Anglesey Aluminium site.

But 2016 could be the turn of tidal with hopes two major schemes will take huge steps forward over the next 12 months.

Minesto wanted to place underwater generators in waters near Holyhead in a £25m project and build its British HQ on Anglesey.

They project will create an 30 direct jobs on the island and potentially many more in the long term.

Meanwhile, the £70m 10MW Skerries tidal stream project off the coast of Anglesey, has been boosted after global tidal power business Atlantis announced it was buying the project,

The project would see seven massive tidal generators located in up to 130ft (40m) of water at the Skerries, off the north-west coast of Anglesey. It will create dozens of jobs on the island during the construction phase.

Jobs potential: 100+

Will they happen? Renewable projects are prone to collapsing or being hit by delays but expect at least one of these to move ahead in 2016.

Deeside development

A £95M project for a 5,000-job employment site in Deeside will drive forward this year after the Welsh Government agreed to fork out for a link road.

The massive Northern Gateway project on the former RAF Sealand site has the potential to create 3 million sq ft of industrial, retail and manufacturing facilities and hundreds of homes.

The Welsh Government has announced it will fund and construct the main highway across the 420-acre site on Deeside Enterprise Zone - which is to be developed by landowners Praxis and Pochin Goodman.

The road is pivotal to kick-start the development and will effectively open up the site, releasing 220 acres of prime employment land to accommodate up to 5,000 jobs.

It would be a major shot in the arm of the wider North Wales economy and give Deeside the opportunity to capitalise on the region's reputation as a manufacturing centre of excellence.

Jobs potential: 5,000 in the long term

Will it happen? With considerable public sector backing the infrastructure will soon take shape.

Rhyl regeneration

After decades of decline in the seaside town 2016 could finally the year when the regeneration efforts start to pay off.

The much delayed multi-million pound development at the former Rhyl funfair is finally set to start in January with the first three retailers - The Range, Farmfoods, and Poundworld - signed up.

The Marina Quay(formerly Ocean Plaza) scheme is eventually tipped to create 500 jobs and finally see this eyesore site on the gateway to Rhyl transformed.

Further along the promenade Neptune will submit their planning application for regeneration around Rhyl's Sun Centre site and Pavilion Theatre.

The hybrid application will also incorporate proposals for a new Travelodge hotel and restaurant.

The firm wants to introduce a leisure hub made up of family-friendly restaurants, build a new exhibition and events space and illuminate the Sky Tower.

An "extreme sports facility" and adventure golf centre are also in the pipeline for the waterfront.

Jobs potential: 800

Will they happen? Delays have created great scepticism about the funfair project but it does finally now look like moving forward - fingers crossed.

Colwyn Bay office development

Work is set to start on a £36m office redevelopment in the heart of Colwyn Bay that will bring hundreds of Conwy council workers into the resort.

Muse Developments Ltd had been chosen as the development partner for the project and hope to kick off development in 2016.

It will initially give a major jobs and investment boost to construction firms and tradespeople.

Once in place it will give a big boost to traders in the town with around 700 workers based in the centre of the resort.

Jobs potential: Hundreds during construction then 700 permanent (relocated rather than new jobs)

Will it happen? While council re-organisation might be a cloud on the horizon the wheels now seems to be in motion on this multi-million pound scheme.

Wrexham - crime and punishment

Crime and punishment will give Wrexham's construction sector a massive boom in 2016.

Work is already underway on the £250m Wrexham prison development with hundreds of construction roles and in the long term 1,000 direct and indirect jobs linked to the jail.

But this is not the only crime linked project for 2016 with work also set to start on the £13.5m Wrexham area police station in Llay. This will also give the build sector a boom and once complete in 2017 will house 350 police officers.

Jobs potential: 1,000+

Will they happen? The prison work is underway and the new police station has been given the green light by planners.

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Six projects to kick-start the North Wales economy in 2016

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Developments to kick-start the economy of North Wales - including a leisure plan and retail scheme - are set to create thousands of jobs in 2016. These projects will boost every sector and county in the region - from construction to renewables and from Wrexham to Holyhead.

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Another tool for looking at multiple deprivation  in Rhyl.

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Welsh Index of Multiple Deprivation (WIMD) 2014

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.History of a high crime rate

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A seaside town centre had the highest crime and anti-social behaviour rate in Wales in 2014, figures from UKCrimeStats show.

West Rhyl, in Denbighshire, saw more crime and anti-social behaviour per head than inner city Cardiff and Swansea.

Other places included in Wales' top 10 crime hotspots, include parts of Wrexham, Cardiff, the Vale of Glamorgan, Swansea and Newport.

West Rhyl 2, as it's called by government statisticians, includes the part of the town centre stretching around 600 metres or so along the coast from Edward Henry Street to Fairfield Avenue and inland as far as the railway station.

As with other areas in the top 10 (scroll down for the full list) it is also one of the poorest places in Wales.

Massive social problems

The area has come either first or second on each of the four occasions the Welsh Government Index of Multiple Deprivation has been published since 2005.

In 2014 it saw more than 471 crimes and incidents of anti-social behaviour per 1,000 people.

The figure includes more than 199 incidents of anti-social behaviour, 78 violent crimes and 33 incidents of criminal damage.
Related: Why this top 10 of the most deprived areas in Wales should make us all despair
Despite massive social problems director of UKCrimeStats Dan Lewis claims offences have more to do with secularism and moral decline than poverty.

He said the temperance movement in the Victorian period saw substantial declines in crime and a "moral awakening".

He added: "That stayed put until the 1950s. And in a way you could argue, if you wanted to be a bit provocative, that when the welfare state came in people out-sourced their moral obligations to their family and society to the state."

Three areas of Wrexham in the top 10

Statisticians carve up all of England and Wales into 34,753 so called "lower layer super output areas" to measure factors like crime and poverty.

Only about 22 of these areas, which have an average population of 1,500, had a higher crime rate than West Rhyl 2.

Three areas of Wrexham occupy the next three places in the top 10.

In second and third places are areas of the Caia Park estate, including Hightown and Queensway, which was the scene of a 2003 race riot.

The Offa area of the North East Wales town, between the railway line and Coed-y-Glyn comes fourth.

Next is an area around Main Street, in Barry, ranked fifth, followed by part of Cathays in Cardiff, that takes in the capital's Central railway station and some of St Mary Street.

'Great progress made'

Another stretch of the Welsh capital around Eastern Avenue - broadly between the A4161 and the A4232 is seventh.

Part of the Stow Hill area of Newport just south of the city's railway station, is eighth.

And part of Splott, in Cardiff, and an area of Swansea, including the city's high street and railway station, complete the top 10.

Labour MP for the Vale of Clwyd Chris Ruane argues "great progress" has been made in Rhyl.

But he says too many "poorly managed" Victorian houses converted to multi-occupation flats and cuts to the police budget are behind the problem.

The Home Office has cut the amount spent on the police by 20% since 2011 as part of the UK Government's deficit reduction strategy.
Opinion: We're failing to tackle deprivation because we treat it as a problem to be solved
The North Wales force is to lose one of its helicopters as part of spending cuts by the National Police Air Service (NPAS), which runs the UK's police helicopters.

Mr Ruane said: "Their job (the police's) has not been made any easier by the Coalition's 20% cut in the police budget and their recent announcement of the removal of the police helicopter."

North Wales Police were contacted, but did not reply to our enquiries.

Top 10 Welsh crime and antisocial behaviour hotspots
1. West Rhyl, from Edward Henry Street to Fairfield Avenue and inland as far as the railway station 2. Hightown, Wrexham, (Caia Park) 3. Queensway, Wrexham, (Caia Park) 4. Offa, Wrexham, between the railway line and Coed-y-Glyn 5. Barry (Main Street area) 6. Cathays, in Cardiff, including Central railway station and part of St Mary Street 7. Part of Eastern Avenue Cardiff, broadly between the A4161 and the A4232 8. Part of Stow Hill area of Newport, south of the railway station 9. The Splott Park area of Cardiff 10. Part of Swansea, including the high street and railway station

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West Rhyl is revealed as Wales' crime hotspot

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A seaside town centre had the highest crime and anti-social behaviour rate in Wales in 2014, figures from UKCrimeStats show. West Rhyl, in Denbighshire, saw more crime and anti-social behaviour per head than inner city Cardiff and Swansea. Other places included in Wales' top 10 crime hotspots, include parts of Wrexham, Cardiff, the Vale of Glamorgan, Swansea and Newport.

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Crime map - You can draw your own lines to create crime maps on specific areas of Rhyl.

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Crime map for Rhyl South East, North Wales Police - Police.uk

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Click on the dots on the map for information about individual crimes.

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Generated photo's of what the water park is to look like.

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Generated photo's of what the water park is to look like.

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"The water park is expected to attract an extra 350,000 visitors to the town and create 60 jobs with an annual boost of £1.7m to the Rhyl economy."

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New images of a £15 million water park earmarked for Rhyl have been released.

The all-year-round attraction, which will open in 2019, will include indoor and outdoor flume rides, children's water play frame, slides, splash pads and lounger areas.

It will also boast "dry facilities" including a climbing wall, activity zone and party rooms.

Detailed plans are now being prepared ready to go before Denbighshire's planning department in April and a public drop-in session will take place later this month.

Two options were considered by councillors- one with a 25m eight-lane swimming pool with spectator gallery, and one without.

But councillors agreed to support the latter option leaving the community swimming provision at Rhyl Leisure Centre.

The new pictures released today reflect that.

Rhyl mayor, Councillor Sarah Roberts said: "The water park is another step along the road in the generation of Rhyl.

"This represents a turning point for the town with the promise of a must-visit tourist attraction, the only one of its kind along the North Wales coast.

"Offering something new and exciting for the people of Rhyl, the water park will provide employment opportunities and increased town centre footfall together with a much-needed vibrant local facility for use by local people.

"We'd encourage people to come along (to the drop in session), see the plans and discover what the future holds."

The water park, earmarked for the existing skate park and Drift Park site, is expected to attract an extra 350,000 visitors to the town and create 60 jobs and an annual boost of £1.7m to the Rhyl economy.

Funding has also been set aside to relocate the skate park in consultation with young people, with the new one said to offer more attractive design features.

Tickets will cost £13 for adults and £9 for children for a half-day visit.

A family ticket will be £39. Local leisure card holders will get 30% discount.

There will be a separate pricing plan for the climbing and play facilities.

Council leader, Hugh Evans said: "We are delighted to offer the public a glimpse of how the proposed new water park will look.

"The waterpark is a flagship project and the development is an essential element of efforts to increase footfall in the town, create jobs and increase spend in the local economy.

"This has also been at the forefront of our proposals to redevelop the waterfront and is a major part of our regeneration plans for Rhyl.

"There is a lot of anticipation into how the new water park will look and we hope this really gives people a flavour of the ambitious and exciting development that is being proposed."

The £15m scheme, drawn up in partnership with Alliance Leisure, will be funded largely by Denbighshire Council with in-principle agreements of £2m from Rhyl Town Council and £800,000 from grant funding from the Welsh Government.

* The drop-in session will take place at Vue Cinema in Rhyl on March 22 between 11am and 7pm.

The proposals will also be available online here

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'This represents a turning point for the town'

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New images of a £15 million water park earmarked for Rhyl have been released. The all-year-round attraction, which will open in 2019, will include indoor and outdoor flume rides, children's water play frame, slides, splash pads and lounger areas.

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Green Infrastructure Action Plan for Rhyl 

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Green Infrastructure Action Plan for Rhyl 

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Action plan for creating a Green Infrastructure combining the economy, environment and community.

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Train station improvements in 2016.

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The refurbishment has involved a complete upgrade of the existing station building to provide a better layout of facilities for passengers. The ticket office and toilets were refurbished and a new information point and waiting shelter were installed.

In order to provide better access to the platforms, the footbridge was refurbished and new benches, signs and a ticket machine have been provided on the platforms. Customer information screens have been installed and the entrance canopy has been completely refreshed, creating an improved gateway to the town.

The project is funded by £1.1m from the Welsh Government and £1m European Regional Development Fund through the Wales Station Improvement Programme and was delivered by Network Rail who also provided £500,000 as part of its Railway Upgrade Plan.

James Jackson, route enhancements manager for Network Rail Wales, said: "The work we've done to improve facilities at Rhyl station is a key part of our Railway Upgrade Plan in Wales and will help to transform journeys for the growing numbers of people choosing to travel by rail.

"Revitalising the station has also helped to transform the town centre and gives the local community a station they can rely on and be proud of.

"This work can act as a catalyst for further regeneration in Rhyl, helping to boost economic growth."

Bethan Jelfs, Head of Stations for Arriva Trains Wales said: "We're delighted to see the completion of the £2.6m refurbishment project as it will bring many benefits to our customers and employees who work at the station.

"Rhyl attracts many thousands of visitors each year and it's important that the station presents a positive first impression as a key gateway to the resort."

Rhyl station has remained open during construction and workers have done everything possible to minimise disruption for passengers and the local community.

The regeneration of Rhyl station was carried out as part of the Wales Station Improvement Programme, a scheme to improve rail stations across Wales including Aberystwyth, Port Talbot, Pontypridd and Ystrad Mynach.

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Rhyl passengers benefit from £2.6m station improvements

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The refurbishment has involved a complete upgrade of the existing station building to provide a better layout of facilities for passengers. The ticket office and toilets were refurbished and a new information point and waiting shelter were installed.

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Rhyl's history through the eyes of a local

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Rhyl's history through the eyes of a local

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A passage of the various changes Rhyl has gone through in the last 90 years.

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Mr Fred Davies, born in Rhyl in 1925, has been in touch with us to share his memories of Rhyl
My Rhyl History.
During the last eighty years the world has changed dramatically - and Rhyl is no exception.

I can go back almost ninety years, yet although I have not been personally attached to it during the past fifty years, I am well aware of many of Rhyl's changes.

When I was born at Tynewydd Farm in 1925, which is now not there, it was then in Rhuddlan. I believe the Rhyl boundary was then set at Pendyffryn Road. For several years Rhyl had been part of Rhuddlan Parish and did not become a separate Parish until 1844. However, when on my grandfather's death in 1929 we moved from the farm to a house in Dyserth Road, some quarter of a mile from the farm, both were then in Rhyl. Unfortunately I contacted diphtheria and spent six weeks in what was then an isolation hospital in Towyn. That too is no longer there for that purpose. Fortunately youngsters don't seem to suffer that disease these days. We had to move because my father was a grocer and had no knowledge of, or interest in farming.

I very well remember my grandmother informing me that when she was younger they would often stand on the promenade watching well to do families who would come and stay in the town for several weeks. She also stated that there were notices to be seen in various parts of the town offering the sale of hot water for a halfpenny a jug. Day trippers would bring their own snacks and loose tea but would need boiling water which local residents offered to sell them to make a brew.

In those days there were numerous grocery shops in Rhyl. My father was manager of E. B. Jones which had no fewer than four shops in the town. They were in High Street: a double one in Water Street: one in Abbey Street and one in Wellington Road. That firm had an string of such shops throughout North Wales. My father managed the one in High Street. Eventually that firm was taken over by a group. There were also many other such branch shops among which were Maypole, Melias and Irwin's. Additionally there were also many privately owned grocers such as Turners, Breretons, Parry's Esmore, and Harry Evans.

My education commenced in Clwyd Street Primary School. It was followed by Rhyl County School as it was called in those days, having since been renamed a couple of times, firstly as Rhyl Grammar School and then Rhyl High School.

Things have certainly changed. In those days I was a choirboy in St. Anne's Church. St. Anne's Church was built through the generosity of Mrs Ann Nicholson. She had originally considered providing a lifeboat until she had been persuaded that the south side of the town was in need of a church to serve the people there. It was consecrated in 1896 - some what before my time - but I well remember the extension in 1931. It added almost a third to its size. Mrs. Nicholson's generosity was continued by her niece, Miss Henrietta Roberts who lived at 'Nithsdale', St. Asaph Street and willed a sizeable sum to the church on her death. I knew Miss Roberts very well, as her housekeeper Mrs Kate Ball, was my Godmother. It is not surprising that the church was referred to as the 'Railwayman's Church' for there were at least six railwaymen in the choir at the time that I was a choirboy. Often when in the choir during the summer at Evensong several of us would eagerly await our Recessional Hymn in order to get out.

There was that superb Rhyl Pavilion in those days which unfortunately was deliberately destroyed. The present day Pavilion is nowhere as near attractive. Some of us choirboys when proceeding up the aisle singing the Recessional Hymn would be unbuttoning our cassocks ready to quickly take them off and shoot off to the Pavilion where each Sunday night in the summer there would be a renowned dance band such as Geraldo, Henry Hall, Ambrose, Joe Loss and many others and we'd hope to be let in without paying which sometimes happened - otherwise we'd miss the band's performance. The Pavilion also housed numerous first class shows during the summer months which attracted so many people.

In Rhyl County School I was struggling to remain in the A stream and in 1939 I left and took up employment as a Boy Messenger in Rhyl Post Office. It guaranteed a life's employment with a pension at the end of it which was somewhat unusual in those days. I had to ride a heavy red bicycle to deliver telegrams - that was a most important and the quickest source of communication in those days which has totally disappeared due to present technology. That was the year that Marks and Spencer came to Rhyl and improved the town with its big store. ( RHC has Marks&Spencer arriving in Rhyl in 1932 - click here for more information -Ed) Regrettably, like so many previously established shops it no longer resides in Rhyl. My initial wage was eleven shillings a week. (In today's money that would be about fifty five pence) out of that I had to pay four pence stamp and give my mother ten shillings that left me with eight pence a week pocket money - about three and a half pence in today's money - yet I was content. We were forbidden to receive tips but strangely we often forgot that regulation when tips were offered!

Post Office employees in those days, having completed forty years service were entitled to retire on pension but many, particularly postmen, remained employed for a further five years in order to eventually increase their pension. They were also in need of continuing their weekly wage during those years. That was a period in my life which carries many memories- especially one. It was my turn for Sunday duty on 3rd September 1939. That duty normally ran from 9.00am until 10.30am. but not on that day. Along with the limited staff on duty I stood in the telegraph room at 11.00am listening nervously, by 'phone, as Neville Chamberlain broadcast the news that we had declared war on Germany and things changed dramatically. Telegrams came flooding in by telephone and teleprinters were screaming away madly; staff had to be increased to cope with it all and I finished work not at 10.30am as scheduled but 10.00pm and was completely shattered.

The Rhyl Post Office was then housed in High Street about two thirds of the way up on the left hand side. Later it was moved to Water Street and I now believe it has been closed down completely. What a shame. As a Boy Messenger I had the most distressing situation anyone could possibly have. In 1940 I had to deliver a telegram which informed the family that their son of 18 or 19 years had been drowned along with almost all the rest of the crew. I did know the person well by sight and that made it even more distressing. From a Boy Messenger I became an S.C.and T (Sorter, Counter Clerk and Telegraphist), which necessitated my working in the telegraph office, on the counter and also in the sorting office, depending on the details of the respective duties.

Times certainly have changed drastically.

In 1944 I was enlisted in the Royal Air Force as a trainee Flight Engineer. However I was never operational, as peace was declared just as I qualified. Having then become redundant I re-mustered in Pay Accounts and spent 1946 in Kenya. It was while I was out in Africa that my father and mother along with my discharged elder brother opened the grocery. shop in Vale Road - on the corner of Millbank Road - which became C.W.Davies and Sons. Having received the news when I was in Nairobi I was naturally interested and eager to see it all but it was not until Christmas Eve 1946 that I achieved that objective, having docked in Southampton in the early hours of that day. I was totally impressed with the findings and when in May 1947 I was discharged from the R.A.F. I had quite an extensive leave which I spent in assisting in the shop despite my lack of knowledge regarding it. Then a mere week before I was due to return to the Post Office, I resigned my pensionable job and joined the family business.

It was truly hard going at times.

Rationing was of course operational at that time and on Monday and Tuesday mornings I would go to certain registered customers' houses to collect their orders. I would then go back to the shop; see that they were put up and deliver them on a carrier bike the same afternoon regardless of the weather. All without extra charge. In between times I would have to go to wholesalers to obtain goods, serve in the shop, tidy the shelves and do as many routine jobs as was necessary. It was unlike today when customers have to collect their own goods and pay for them at the time. We mainly had to write down their orders put them up and deliver them. Frequently such goods were not paid for at the time and we had to trust our customers that we would get the money the following week. It eventually got to a state that we desperately needed a van but unfortunately due to manufacturers having had to concentrate on wartime requirements and there being a tremendous demand for such vehicles after peace had been declared they were not readily obtainable and it took us a full twelve months to be able to obtain the necessary van.

As time went on I got married and after eighteen years in the family business when we had three children we had eleven mouths to feed out of one business. Things were changing drastically. Supermarkets were appearing and our trade was being exploited by them. One had to give serious thought to the future and with three youngsters to consider that was quite a serious concern. After much thought and discussion with my wife I eventually stopped working in the shop and sought other work. Without going into details the first two were not satisfactory so additionally I applied for and became a night switchboard operator in the Telephone Exchange down Wellington Road while still working for my day time occupation.

On duty one night there I was surprised to be notified that there was a personal call for me. On taking it, I found it was from my Superior in my other job who slated me for working there. He told me that my full obligation was to his company and I had no right to be working for anyone else. Fortunately at that time there had been a notice in the Post Office circular stating that anyone who had served three years could apply for a post similar to my former position as S.C. and T. I had been employed at the Exchange for but a few months but claimed that my previous service should count. I applied locally at Rhyl Head Office and was interviewed by a former colleague whom I knew well. He unhesitatingly turned me down on the grounds that the former three years I had stipulated did not count and it meant current three years. I disagreed and stated I would go over his head and approach Cardiff for a decision. Cardiff instantly confirmed that I was eligible and I was offered an appointment in Chester which I accepted.

That was my farewell to Rhyl as a resident and have also left Chester and now live in South Cumbria.

Nevertheless, I have never totally disassociated myself with Rhyl and I doubt if I ever will. I am fortunate in having friends there whom I used to visit periodically despite the fact that so many have unfortunately passed on.

Rhyl, like so many other places has changed dramatically which is a pity, as it was a great town years ago.

Unfortunately it nowhere resembles what it was more than seventy years ago. Regardless though I still hold many memories of how it used to be.

There was the Amphitheatre which housed the Billy Manders show which we always found enjoyable. Behind that building was the entrance to the Pier.

Will Parkin's open air theatre was another well established site. I used to stand behind the barrier until a member of the cast came around with a tin expecting money and like many other youngsters we would walk away and return when he had gone. Still the shows were quite entertaining. Years later when I got to know Will Parkin I related to him my sneakiness at watching his show and he was amused.

There were the Pavilion Gardens, the children's paddling pond, the delightful open air baths, Sussex Street baths, the Queen's Theatre where I remember seeing Morecambe and Wise way down on the list of artists long before they became famous.

The Queen's Dance Hall was very popular for many years. On special occasions such as Bank Holidays there could be three dances on the same day i.e. eleven am; three pm. and seven thirty pm. All were extremely enjoyable and well patronised.

There were several well known Banks. On the corner of Bodfor Street and Wellington Road was the Midland Bank which was eventually taken over by H.S.B.C.. Another that was taken over was Martin's Bank. It was absorbed into Barclays. National Westminister Bank was on the corner of Queen Street and Market Street.

There were many other renowned shops in Rhyl too. In High Street there was Talbots who sold ladies clothes and materials. Another was Evans Clwydian Cafe. Wellington Road housed Waterworths. That was a double shop. On the left was an open fronted fish merchants and adjoining it a Greengrocers. That road also contained Garnet Wilson's gents suits and clothing and Mival's Florists. Queen Street had Robins Cafe and Maltby's Butchers.

The number of arcades were somewhat restricted - not like those flooding the Promenade as they are now. The Marine Lake was in full flow and very popular too. There was also the outstanding landmark of the two Water Towers at the top of the hill on Rhuddlan Road. Anyone travelling that way couldn't possibly miss them.

People witnessed so many former green fields along the Grange Road, Dyserth Road and Rhuddlan Road areas which were later transformed into houses, indicating quite clearly how Rhyl has grown.

This contribution is but a small reflection on what Rhyl was like. They were all great days and my memory of them will never fade.

Many thanks from Rhyl History Club for sharing your wonderful memories with us, Fred.

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Mr Fred Davies, born in Rhyl in 1925, has been in touch with us to share his memories of Rhyl My Rhyl History. During the last eighty years the world has changed dramatically - and Rhyl is no exception. I can go back almost ninety years, yet although I have not been personally attached to...

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Regeneration goals by Denbigshire council.

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Rhyl regeneration | Denbighshire County Council

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Water park and leisure proposals given green light.

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Ambitious proposals to create a brand new waterpark and leisure attraction in Rhyl, as part of the major regeneration of the town's waterfront have been approved by members of Denbighshire County Council.

Two options were put forward for consideration at the council meeting held at County Hall, Ruthin today (Tuesday). The preferred option agreed by councillors will include:

* 1200 metre square indoor water space

* Both indoor and outdoor flume rides

* Children's water play frame and slides

* Double height children's play activity zone

* Climbing facilities

* Party rooms

* Reception

* Sales areas

* Outside Splash Pool - two wet splash pads, sun lounger areas and café terraces to provide wet play entertainment.

* Beach changing huts and WC facilities

* Bar and terrace to cater for evening trade

(Formal Swimming facilities will remain at Rhyl Leisure Centre, as the Council believes it provides excellent quality services for the local community and is best positioned at its current location).

The Council agreed with this option, as it would provide a better customer experience, it would be easier to use for both residents and visitors, more cost effective and affordable and better use of public money.

The development will create 60 new jobs and will attract 350,000 additional visitors to the town every year.

The proposals, drawn up in partnership with Alliance Leisure, will also mean that the town's skate and paddling pool will be relocated. The Council will consult with local young people to co-design the skatepark, with the new facility offering new, more attractive design features. The paddling pool will be replaced by a significantly enhanced outdoor splash pad and sun terrace, as part of the redevelopment.

Subject to planning permission, work will begin in September 2017 and the new facilities will be open in early 2019.

Leader of Denbighshire, Councillor Hugh Evans OBE, who is also the Cabinet Lead Member for the Economy, said: "This is yet another significant milestone for the Rhyl waterfront project and will make a major difference to the town of Rhyl and the wider Denbighshire community.

"The waterpark is a flagship project for the Council and the development is an essential element of efforts to increase footfall in the town, create jobs and increase spend in the local economy. This has also been at the forefront of our proposals to redevelop the waterfront and is a major part of our regeneration plans for Rhyl.

"Residents and visitors to Rhyl will have already seen active signs of the redevelopments taking place. The Sun Centre has already been demolished, work on re-modelling the Pavilion Theatre and creating a new car park to the east of the Pavilion is currently underway and work is due to begin shortly on transforming the Sky Tower into a light beacon.

"Developments and improvements to the promenade aim to not only benefit Rhyl's economy through increased footfall from visitors but also let the communities of, Denbighshire and wider North Wales region, know exactly what the town has to offer".

Note to editors: Background: Planning permission has already been granted for developments around the Theatre, including external refurbishment of the Theatre, a hotel - Travelodge, family pub/restaurant - Marstons, a third commercial unit, refurbishment of the Sky Tower and for works to the Children's Village car park.

Internal refurbishment works are already underway at the Pavilion Theatre. The front of house areas are being refreshed during the annual close down between the end of the panto season and mid February. This will be followed with the full refurbishment of the bar areas, as well as the creation of a new restaurant.

Scaffolding will be put in place later this month for the external refurbishment works. This will see a new façade on the side of the building that used to join up to the Sun Centre, repainting and recladding of the main Theatre building and a new entrance foyer created.

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Rhyl regeneration: Waterpark and leisure proposals given green light

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Ambitious proposals to create a brand new waterpark and leisure attraction in Rhyl, as part of the major regeneration of the town's waterfront have been approved by members of Denbighshire County Council. Two options were put forward for consideration at the council meeting held at County Hall, Ruthin today (Tuesday).

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Explore many census categories - Using location quotients.

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The 2011 Census, mapped with context for England/Wales.