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Dean Street and beyondMembers of the GlanaddaPensioners' Club recall lifedown Dean Street and beyondin years gone by.

Trying to sneak into County Hall, getting rapped over theknuckles at school and narrowly missing a wartime bomb -Bangor life was hectic for Kitty Baxter

"Bangor was a very happy place when I was young. I lived inDean Street until I was ten and there were lots of shopsdown there at that time - a butchers, a chippie, a sweet shop(I loved sherbet with liquorice).

These big superstores have taken over now, but before youhad small, family businesses on the High Street, passed downfrom father to son. You knew everyone, chatted witheveryone and you got personal service.

There was Lipton's, Maypole, Williams', Turner's, Benefit,Lotus... all little groceries, bakers or clothes shops.

I went to St Mary's primary school, down at the bottom ofDean Street - it's flats now. There were 30 children in theclass, a complete mix of ages and abilities. Then I went tothe Central School, which is now a science building on DeiniolRoad. I really enjoyed school.

I only remember one teacher, Miss Burns, she used to hit usacross our knuckles with a ruler. My mother would say; 'Whathave you got on your hands?' 'Blood' I'd say. And she'danswer; 'Well, you probably deserved it'. You wouldn't getthat now - they'd sue the school!

On Saturday nights we used to walk up and down the highstreet looking for boyfriends. We couldn't go in the pubsbecause we were too young, but we made our ownentertainment. The County Theatre was on Dean Street - it'sthe Octagon now, of course. They used to have concerts andtalent shows on and, because the back door was opposite ourhouse, we'd try to sneak in and watch. We'd get chucked outif we were caught because we were too young!.

After school I worked at a lot of jobs - never stayed in onejob long. They were going to teach me how to make hats atThomas Henderson's, which was at the top of Dean Street,but I only lasted a year.

Then I moved on to Polikoff's, a big shop on the High Street.It's where Peacocks is now. I worked on the baby clothes

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counter and I loved it. Although there wasn't really fashionthen - we couldn't afford fashionable clothes and weren'treally interested, you just wore what you had.

Then when I was 18 I worked behind the bar at the King'sArms - I think it's an Irish pub now.

In 1937 we got moved out of the slums of Dean Street andup to Maesgeirchen. Others went up to Maes Tryfan or GlynRoad. It was great - we had an indoor bathroom and hotwater for the first time. We didn't have to go to the toiletoutside and take a bucket of water with us to flush it.

I lived in MaesG for 36 years. I saw a lot of changes - theneighbours just weren't the same after a while. But there isnow a great community there - only a few give it a badname, but I think it's coming back into its own again.

I lived there during the war. The night the bombs dropped onMaesG I was babysitting in the Drill Hall for Major Flower andhis wife, and he said he'd send one of the soldiers with me towalk me home because it was along way. The soldier tookme as far as the Pen Lôn slate works, then said I'd be alrightfrom there, it wasn't far.

So I went under the bridge and along the main road home -and a bomb dropped on top of the hill. I'd just turned thecorner, but I went back, up Pen Bryn and ran all the wayhome. I just got home as the second one dropped - it wasreally scary.

But apart from that we managed all right during the war. Myfather used to fish and grow his own veg, so we always hada meal.

My mother had one evacuee, a girl called Annie fromLiverpool. She was a bit cheeky in the beginning, but shesoon got used to us. She was with us for two years, and shewould have stayed longer I think but her mother made hergo home. We had a lot more freedom than she would havehad in the city. We used to take her down to the beach andhave a go on the boats my father worked on. He used to rowposh people over to their yachts on the Menai Strait - well,they were posh to us!"

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Old Bangor and the PlazaLast updated: 28 December 2007

Don Talbot is another formerresident of Dean Street.

"I used to live in Dean Streetin the 1930s and I remembergetting flooded there twice -the river overflowed I think.They've put drains there now.

They also used to keep cattle at the bottom of Dean Street -it's a football field for kids now, but they used to have aslaughterhouse down there at one time.

We lived in a big lodging house, a converted tavern. It's a carpark now. Lots of people used to come in and out, travellers,fellers looking for work.

I used to work in Robert Roberts' café - it's where a clothesshop is now, opposite the Abbey National. It was the biggestcafé on the High street and I used to deliver things from thebig bakery down the street to Roberts'."

Violet Bell remembers Bangor's cinema in its heyday.

"Bangor was a lovely place years ago. I used to live in WellStreet, which is near Dean Street. We stayed there whenother people were moved out to Maesgeirchen.

I worked in the Plaza cinema for 24 years. It's gone terriblenow, even though they've done it up into two cinemas, it'snot like it used to be. I was an usherette, cashier, everything- back in the days when we sold ice cream in theintermission.

I've seen all the films, although not a whole film at oncebecause we were so busy! I've seen them all, but Tom Cruiseis my favourite.

I worked there until I was 70. I started when I was youngand then left to have the children but then went back. Iloved it there."

Back to the start.

More Bangor memories from John Arthur Owen...

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Margaret FlinnHi Ken. Can you tell me how Bill Davies was related to youas it is the same person, that was my uncle, who was atailor in Dean Street, Bangor.Mon Apr 20 09:23:29 2009

Margaret FlinnHi David Davies, Just thought I'd let you know that BillDavies was my uncle he married my father's (George Flinn)sister Freda and I think the shop you are thinking of wasAshley's.Mon Apr 20 09:22:57 2009

Margaret FlinnHi Ken Hughes. Bill Davies was my uncle and he ran a tailorshop in Dean Street next to Eunice's sweep shop.Tue Apr 14 09:42:34 2009

Josie Tilyard born in Bangor now living in LondonThe comments on this page have brought back some veryhappy memories to me - my mother was Welsh and welived in Blodwyn Villa, Beach Road, Bangor. My mother'smaiden name was Owen and she had a brother namedGeorge who lived in Seriol Road. For some time now I havebeen trying to trace my cousins, whom I would play with asa child. I also remember playing at the tennis courts inHirael Road. My mother worked in Polikoff's before marryingmy father and her best friend was Louisa Moses. I canremember walking from Blodwyn Villa over the Menai Bridgeand spending the day in Beaumaris then we would catch theferry back to Bangor. Would love to hear whether BlodwynVilla is still standing - it was a most beautiful house and theviews were magnificient.Fri Nov 7 09:21:27 2008

Sue Hughes-Jones, Y FelinheliHas anyone information regarding my grandmother's laundryat Glanadda? Her maiden name was Charlotte Fanny Smithand she also ran a laundry in Deanfield, but I don't knowwhere that was. I have photographs of all the laundry maidsof the model laundry. Sadly only three are named, a KatieMunro, Auntie Jane who lived in a cottage in Penrhos nearYsbyty Gwynedd, and the supervisor Angie Williams. Mygrandmother said she first came to work in The VaynolLaundry with Mr. & Mrs Arthur Atherton.Wed Oct 1 09:22:08 2008

Marian Owen, MaesgeirchenFound this website with my daughter - how wonderful!Reading about places and people I remember so well. I livedin Maesgeirchen, had a brother John, lived in GreenwoodAvenue next door to the post office owned by Mr and MrsRobbyns. We used to play for hours in the woods makingdens and swings. Highlight of our lives was going to theyouth club, every night until 10pm, great times. Did anyoneremember the Hop where I met my husband of fifty yearsJohn Owen from Llandegai. Mon Aug 18 09:59:48 2008

Ken Hughes _ Derby

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Hi David Davies, nice to see you still on line and stillinterested in the old place, good to hear you and Diane arekeeping ok. It's a few years now since we used to go up thecoast to Rhyl on a Sunday night, remember Brian Pumfreysold Dodge, Arfon bach on the old guitar, you were quite agood swimmer at scool always winning the diving for plateschallenge at old Siliwen baths, a few of the lads are stillaround, Kenny Edwards, Ello (beans) Owen Stan O'mara Imsure you remember them. I used to enjoy Friday nights withyour dad at the Union Hotel Buff Lodge in Garth he was agreat bloke.

If I remember Will Davies the taylor used to run the A.C.F inGlynne Road - he gave me my first stripe. The shop at thetop of Dean St is now a Radio and TV shop owned by IorisGriffiths ex Bangor footballerThu Mar 27 10:03:11 2008

Ron Williams WorcsDavid Davies, Christchurch: The shop you mention wasPentir Williams. I too used to look longingly at the Dinkies,especially the larger ones which we never could afford tobuy. By the way, is Cotter's, the electrical firm, still inbusiness in High Street, Christchurch? I used to work forthem for a while in about 1970.Thu Mar 6 09:48:34 2008

David Davies christchurch newzealandWhen we were kids going to the County theaterin dean st,onsaturdays.I would always go up to the shop at the top ofthe st andlook in awe at the new Dinky toys in the window.can anybody name the shop Ihad an uncle [Will Davies] howhad a tailors shop in dean st. Then there was Mrs Hopes,shop where we would buy half a Turf cigarette for themoves.

Wendy davies[Owen]nice to know you and familly are ok,love to Carol and john from my self and Diane we are okhere. I loved your mam and dad. Alway when ever i could,iwould go fishing with Norman Fri Feb 29 11:17:12 2008

Carol Morgan-Lane, Maine, USAI've recently discovered I am related to the Jones's thatlived at 17 Dean Street for a good part of the 19th century.I'm so curious about it now. Are those dwellings stillstanding? Where might I find more information about thatpart of Bangor and what life was like then?Thu Feb 7 10:46:38 2008

barbara smith ,re jones.reading berksjust to say hi to anyone who new jim and jo{skerries.}jones.both saddley passed on .jim was born indean st to fenna jones. i have many tales he used to tell me.i just wounder if there are any of the old locals that usedthe skerries when jim was there. also he ran the soical clubfor some years, what a place. everyone new everone. percyroberts, steven lock, big jim. i lived in the skerries until i gotmarried in 1974 and always came back 2or3times year untilmy mum diedin 1995. i always found it funny when we cameon the road from bathessda. the sign WELCOME TO BANGOR

and the fist thing you see is the cemetary.it still makes mechuckle. bangor has great memorys for me. Thu Dec 20 09:49:58 2007

Enid Law LlangollenLovely Bangor memories. I was Enid Thomas I lived inMaesgeirchen. I went to St.Mary's School in the 1940s theteachers were Misses Harris (lived on Garth Rd Miss WilliamsHeadmistress in the Infants. Miss Jones Mrs. Walford MissParry Miss Roberts and Mr. Parry the Head was Ald.IthelWilliams another Mayor.

My father worked in Crosville and was known as Will Tom.My mother was a teacher and ran the Sunday School in theold Y.W.C.A. in Maes G we called it the Cwt.Iremember theSunday School trips to Rhyl 8 or 9 busloads of usThu Sep 20 16:22:07 2007

Glynne Williams, LondonI was born in 1936 in a part of Bangor known as Abysiniaaka Ffriddoedd. After the war, my dad worked in the railwaysheds. I went to see him there a couple of times andremember it as awful, but now as a retiree and amateurartist I am desperatly trying to get photographs of thesheds. Can anyone help? Thu Aug 30 12:34:34 2007

Sylvia HumphreysMy sister in law from Coed Mawr and my husband fromMaesgeirchen are trying to find out information about theold workhouse on Caernarfon road which later becameSnowdon building and cheese factory. They would be verygrateful if any info is available.Tue Aug 28 09:43:31 2007

Roger Jones of BangorDoes anyone still remember Elfed from Water Street? Helived alone and was a bit of a hermit. He used old sacks forcurtains. Banned from all the Bangor pubs so we were told!He was a real character.Also there was Noel Evans who livedopposite the (now) Fire Station. He wore an army greatcoatyear in year out. He would ask you to get him some freshfish when the mongers were around and he would throw themoney to you - you stayed on the pavement - and it wasusually half a crown. He'd tell you to keep some change forgoing.There was also a chap we called Evan Stump and heslept in run-down outbuildings near Kyffin Square. To mymind harmless old Bangor characters.Wed May 2 09:25:57 2007

Maldwyn Hughes, Minffordd, BangorI have just found this site and so glad that I did. I was bornand brought up in Bethesda but have lived here since 1954.I was an apprentice with Bethesda Council and started mytechnical education at the Central School under Mr.Graber,Mondays, 6 to 9pm. Sixpence return on the train fromBethesda. There were two quarrymen travelling with me,learning English under Mr. Walford [I think].Afterwards weused to go for a beer to the City at 6d a pint. I remembergoing to the County with my father about 1928 and sittingon the top balcony. I could not see the screen until my

father pointed it out to me far below. About 1933 I went tothe Arcadia Cinema where the Plaza was afterwards. It wasa long wooden hut and it was moved to the bottom ofGlanafon Hill where it became the British Restaurant servingcheap dinners during the war. Afterwards it became TheCaernarfonshire Technical College where I continued mytechnical education in Electrical Engineering after it wasinterrupted by the war, before going to Wrexham andBirkenhead Tech. Today there are so many opportunities togain qualifications but many young people don't takeadvantage of them. I have been retired since 1983, havingworked with Manweb and the CEGB. I knew GeorgeJoynson, he was a radio Ham and I have spent manyenjoyable hours on the air talking with him and Eric Lynn,Coed Mawr, also Albert Gaskell in Penrhos and his brotherWalter in Caernarfon Rd. There was also Albert Hewitt,Foxlands. I used to speak with them on short wave fromupstate New York. They have all gone now. I knew AlbertHewitt since 1951. He worked at the old Electrical Lab inDean St. Both of us built TVs using ex-Government Radarparts with a green picture on a 6inch tube. We couldn'tafford a proper tv. Happy times. My Best Wishes to all theOld Uns and all from Bethesda and Bangor. Hwyl Fawr -Maldwyn. Mon Jan 29 12:37:18 2007

Jean Forsyth (nee Foulkes) from BangorI was born in Ffordd y Castell Maes G. and my father wasLen Foulkes the window cleaner. He cleaned Woolworthswindows every morning for years, along with other shopwindows in the town. Just stumbled upon this site and foundit fascinating as I recognise so many of the peoplementioned. Don Talbot: do you remember Richie 'RobertRoberts'? Emrys Edwards (the owner of Robert RobertsCafe) was Mayor of Bangor in 1962. I can still remember thesmell of freshly ground coffee beans and Richie boning aside of bacon before putting it in the bacon machine. As achild I also used to enjoy watching the change drop downthe shute in the cashier's booth at the bottom of the stairs.Brian Roberts: I was in County School with your mum. I'llalways remember the little song she used to sing: "I love toplay my little banjo and rest it on my knee, but when thestrings are broken down it's no more use to me." Youmention Gail Slee, well she lives next door to me. AntoinetteJones: You mentione Miss Broadbridge. I saw her lastSaturday at a Xmas tea - still very smart and distinctivelydressed - a real lady! There is a new web site for BangorCivic Society which you will find interesting as there areseveral features that will bring back nostalgia to to you all. Web team: You'll find it in our Bangor web guide.Fri Dec 15 09:57:53 2006

Mark Goddard, BangorMark Slee, You must be Gail's brother. I was born in DeanSt in 1960. It was my Dad's antique shop at the time, nextdoor t the COunty Theatre, at the bottom of the street up tothe fire Station. I was brought home without any clothesmany times by Wlater Williams, one of the firemaen there.Fri Oct 13 09:39:45 2006

Roz Ainsworth Aberdeen

I am really pleased to have found this site. My father wasborn in William Street, Bangor, No 15 to be exact, son ofPhoebe (nee Davies) and Emerson Roberts. My Nain used towork in Wartskis Bangor. the last time I was in Bangor itwas Debenhams. My Taid was a gardener at Lime Grovewhich is now an old peoples home I think. Oh the hiraeth Ihave to be back there. I have an Aunt who lives in PortPenrhyn she used to work in the Doctors surgery when itwas Glanfa. The family lived in Llandegai and my nain wasorganist there for a while as was my father Meirion Robertsbut Barry Wynne was the recognised organist. he was farsuperior to my Dad at the organ. he could read music. myFather played from Tonic sol-fa! I worked in various placesin Bangor - The Nelson hotel on Beach road, the Britishhotel, I was manageress of Freezrite on Caernarvon Roadand also manageress of Contessa on Bangor High street.that was 21 years ago and for the last 20 years I have livedin Scotland the last 6 years on my own way out in the wildsof Scotland, very beautiful, but there's no place like home.Tue Aug 29 12:13:38 2006

Mark SleeBrought up in Dean St. just behind 'auntie' Eunie's sweetshop. My Mum told me there used to be stables at the backof the chemist shop on the High St. and I do vaguelyremember nearly getting kicked to death by a horse! Maybe15 years in Maes.G. - at the time a great place for a kid togrow up. At one time you could get all the way over Bangormountain from the High St. to Maes.G. without touching theground using walls, trees etc, an impossibe feat now Iwager. Any body remember Mr. & .Mrs. Walford 10, WellSt.(sorry: Ffordd-y-Ffynnon), my grandparents? Great site.Thanks.Wed Jul 12 10:41:07 2006

Ronnie Morris from Windsor, Ontario, CanadaI was born in Glanadda (1941)but moved to LlandudnoJunction when I was only 5. I doubt that anyone wouldremember me, but you might know my family. My Dad AlecMorris grew up on Lombobdu and worked as a fishmongeron the High Street, and during the war he worked forDaimlers. After the war he got a job at Hotpoint and that'swhen we moved to the Junction. My mother, Lily Lucas, wasborn in Glanadda just across the road from where Asda's isnow. The house was demolished in the 1950's to widencaernarfon Road. We lost my Dad in 1993 and Mam justpassed away last ! February at the age of 93.

We have lived in Canada now for 50 years, but I still love tovisit North Wales, especially Bangor and Llandudno Junction.I'm planning another trip for this September. Kitty, mygrandfather also worked at Polikoff's but it would have beenbefore your time. In the 1920's I think. Just discovered thispage and I enjoyed reading itFri Jun 30 09:44:49 2006

Carol Burns (nee Thomas) BlackpoolHi Kitty I can't remember what I put in about my family buthere is a bit more (If I repeat anything I apologize) My Taidwas Hughie Gordon Thomas and he was known as HughGuard on the railways. He loved to play snooker and

dominoes at the pub. My Nain was Mary Elma Thomas neeWilliams. They lived in Coed Mawr in the 60's and 70's andthen moved to Dean Street (45) after that. They lived theretill my Taid died in 1990 and Nain in 1995. My Auntie livednext door. I remember the chippy half way up Dean Street(on a corner) and loved the chips from there. My Dad is KenThomas though we moved to York in the middle of the 60swith his work. Mon May 8 13:11:08 2006

Bryan Jones - Old ColwynI was born at Caerdeon, Glanadda, Bangor. I remembershows by the BBC during the war years. My father wastransport officer for the old Caernarfonshire Fire Brigadewith the workshop in the old Chapel behind the CountyTheatre. George Joynson, if he wanted to borrow any toolsto undertake jobs in the Theatre, would always ask myfather if he could borrow. He would always return them. Idid rather well due to this liaison. I remember I would begiven complimentary tickets for the pictures or the wrestlingmatches that were held at the County Theatre. GeorgeJoynson and his wife lived in Ainon Road.Wed Apr 19 09:16:28 2006

Mervyn, Miron Jones, Hirael BangorMy fondest memories of the 60s was being able to playalmost anywhere in safety. Everybody knew who you wereor who your parents were. Our children have missed out onsome magical places - Parc Bach, along the beach,and ofcourse the High St. Many a cup final in the streets, no stupidsigns in them days! The other highlight of the year was theBangor rag. Great days great memories. Bangor will alwaysbe in my heart.Mon Nov 21 19:21:52 2005

Lynne Can anyone recall Silliams the bakers somewhere in theHigh St? Am trying to locate where it stood, have onlyrecently found out I had an uncle Hywel Williams, son ofHenry Williams the baker. Mon Nov 21 01:11:56 2005

Antoinette Jones (nee Roberts)Yes I remember County Theatre as a child in the 1950s anda lovely lady called Mrs. Williams who my brothers and Iused to call "Aunty". She used to babysit me and mybrothers occasionally but worked at the County for manyyears.

My father still runs Roberts Newsagents in the High streetopposite Valla Chip shop with the help of two of mybrothers, he has been there since 1953!. As kids we used tolive above the shop and knew all the business people in theHigh Street. I remember well the fire station which is now acar park, Elias Garage which is now a restaurant, and EirwynOwen's the Chemist(who was the Mayor of Bangor at onetime) he used to have a big basket weighing scale wherenew mums used to come along to weigh their babies.

As children we spent many happy hours down in Hiraelplaying tennis on the courts behind the Crosville Bus Depot

and hanging around the beach behind Dickies Yard. Bangorwas a wonderful place to be a child and even though I havelived away for over 30 years, as soon as I go "home" its likeI've never been away.

Anyone out there remember Garth School and its teachers inthe late 50s, Mr Haydn Jones, Miss Nora Jones, MissBroadbridge and Miss Ellis and of course Mr Jones (Music).What a lovely school, we were all made to feel very specialby those great teachers. I have very fond memories of goingthere after coming from Hirael School where the lovely MrsCarrigal taught the infants and Miss Roberts toughened usup before we went up to Garth School. I'd be interested tohear from anyone who knows me or grew up in Bangor atthat time. Thu Nov 17 14:25:08 2005

Roger Jones of Glanadda, BangorRegarding the County Theatre, I seem to remember amanager in the 50s who was called Tom Gaffney - doesanybody else remember him? George Joynson was themanager in the 60s and was a great bloke - full of laughs.He would drive from the County Theatre to do the bankingnear the town clock and when he came out, could notremember where he had parked his car! Me and a friendonce found a dead cat and, knowing George's route homeafter work, we propped the poor cat up in the middle of theroad and good old George seemed to run it over - it wentflying through the air! His wife Myra once told me that thestaff found a man dead in the upper balcony after a matineeand that the theatre was haunted by him. Good old days.Sat Oct 22 20:33:29 2005

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More from Dean StreetLast updated: 28 December 2007

John Arthur Owen formerly of Bangor shares his memoriesof the characters and goings on down Dean Street.

"I love reading the tales about Bangor,we lived at No.27,Tabernacle ST.on the corner of James St, then we moved toNo. 9 Drum St. My auntie Jinnie Hughes kept a lodging housenear the chapel, which was next door to the County Theatre,she used to put up a lot of the actors and entertainers Ithink. I can remember one actor dressed as Charlie Chaplincomplete with cane doing the walk down Dean St.

During the war Sandy McPherson played his organ fromthere, we would see him walking up Deiniol Road going forhis London train.

Another aunt, Mrs, Baker kept the chip shop, on the cornernext to the theater. I see it has just been pulled downrecently. Mrs Hope kept a shop across the road and MrRowlands kept a book shop I think, a little bit further downon the corner of Drum St. Then there was Mr Hansons shopwhere you went for your potted meat paste!

We used to be thrilled at the sound of the gas works workingwhen they pushed the coke out with the ram and the smellof sulpher and steam when the fire was quenched! I wasoften sent there for a bag of coke.

Our neighbour in Drum St was a Mrs Rouse Williams, andwhen we were all moved to Ffriddoedd, we were fortunate tohave her living next door again. She had a son called Alun,who worked for the Post Office, he moved to work inWrexham I believe.

I started my apprenticeship in A.M.Dickies in 1944, the day Iwas 15yrs old. I remember a lot of the old boatbuilders suchas Georgie Reid, Norman McInroy, Andy Bell - who alsoplayed football for Bangor City - David Davies, Wil "Spei",Mr.Murray was the yard foreman, all the apprentices fearedhim!My cousin Dick Hughes worked in the office with JoePratt, Noah bach worked in the stores, his two daughtersworked as cleaners on the MTBs we built then.

A couple of nights a week we would go to the "hop", MissBeattie would take the money on the door, there would beloads of American service men there and we would jive tothe records of the bands of the day. I particularly remember"In the Mood" by Glen Miller! One character I remember usedto come from Bethesda, he would drink quite a lot beforecoming and because he suffered from something like epilepsyI think, he would ivariably pass out and we would carry himto the old C&A hospital to have him sobered up, and thenhome!. The old gentleman who worked the records was a

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MR,Hay, a true gentleman I always thought.

I can remember the mines dropping on Maes Geirchen. Mytwo brothers and I all slept in the same bed and we werealmost thrown out of bed as it seemed then. The nextmorning I went to see the damage caused, there was partsof a car in a tree, the driver who was a BBC engineer wewere told was killed instantly, the first house had the sidewall blown in, and I was intrigued to see an electric bulbundamaged on the landing light fitting. There was also ahuge crater in the road.

There are so many other stories about the cadets, school,etc, but that's for another time."

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