Picture postcards and your memories of Rhyl summers

Many coastal towns across the country were simply the place be for a day out or full on holiday.

Rhyl was one such town, and has been a favourite destination for summer holidays for generations, people came from far and wide to enjoy the long sandy beach and bustling front.

We recently asked readers for their memories of the North Wales seaside town.

Combining some of your recollections with a fantastic collection of postcards from history columnist, the late Elvet Pierce, courtesy of his son Brynmor, we take a nostalgic trip to the beach...

Postcard from Rhyl, date stamped 1972. Courtesy of the Elvet Pierce collection

Ken Woods, who still loves to visit, said: "My family and I had several very happy holidays in Rhyl when I was in my early teens, we stayed at the Westcliff Hotel, it was on the sea front but long since demolished.

"We travelled by coach from Barnsley with lots of other very happy holidaymakers from that area.

"My wife and I returned to Rhyl staying at the Premier Inn last year, and whilst the resort has seen better times, it still holds many magical memories for me and we were made to feel very welcome. I look forward to returning when this pandemic is over."

Kathleen Davies, on the Rhyl prom, summer 1963/64 (left) and Rhyl beach, 1968 (right).

Kathleen Greenslade (nee Davies), 66, from Holywell, said: "I spent many happy childhood days in Rhyl in the 1960s. Mum and dad always took me on days out to the beach.

"I remember going to see Ken Dodd, and Freddie and the Dreamers at the Pavilion Theatre.

"There were the paddle boats, place to hire bikes and go round the miniature village, horses and ponies to ride on, all the little gift stalls.

"Fantastic days out in the summer holidays. Spam sandwiches on the beach, and dandelion and burdock. Dad loved a hotdog, mum a candyfloss.

"Mum is 90 now, and still has happy memories of Rhyl."

Postcard from Rhyl, date stamped 1963. Courtesy of the Elvet Pierce collection

Steve Dowell recalls time at Rhyl with his sister, Estelle. He said: "Myself and my sister used to go casing in Rhyl from about 1963 to about 1966.

"This was when local kids picked up tourists' cases on homemade trolleys for pocket money, and took them to their accommodation.

"Some kids worked from the train station and others worked from the coach station in Rhyl, and rivalry was rife. Rhyl was packed at the time with many tourists

"I would have been about eight-years-old in 1962 and my sister about 12.

"I remember the Saturday morning cinema in the Odeon Rhyl, most of the Rhyl kids went there. The cinema used to hold talent competitions where local urchins would get onto the stage and mime to songs.

"The prize was free entrance for all family films for a month, which I won one week."

Another visitor, Chelsea Dear, said: "I live in Leicestershire but I come to Wales often to visit my Auntie Lele and the family. I remember going to Rhyl with her and the rest of my family when I was younger, it was such a beautiful day."

Postcard from Rhyl, date stamped 1961. Courtesy of the Elvet Pierce collection

Lots of readers shared their memories on our 'Local Bygones' Facebook page.

Pam Bush: "I loved days out there with my parents, set off early with enough sandwiches to last a week."

John Rawlin: "Loved Rhyl as a kid, the walk from the town to the fairground was brilliant, it's still a good day out and I still go."

Graham Hughes: "I used to love watching the theatre dome changing colour in the dark evenings."

David James: "I remember watching the Tornados in the Pavilion back in the 70s."

Sammy Clowes: "Log World, Butterfly Palace and Sea Lion World, and Punch & Judy near clock tower, paddling pool with water fountain all kids climbed.

"Roller ring and bumper boats and trampolining, the fair ground and Peabody's and boat trips out from the harbour, the list is endless.

"Rhyl in the 80s for me, I was so lucky to have been born and raised there."

• Do you have any photos or special memories of Rhyl? Please email claire.pierce@newsquest.co.uk or write to Rhyl Memories, Newsquest, Mold Business Park, Wrexham Road, Mold CH7 1XY.