Rhyl Journal

USEFUL INFORMATION FOR RESIDENTS AND VISITORS. -)0[- A story worth the telling will bear fre- quent repetition. Hence the appearance in these columns from time to time, as space permits, of useful information respecting our town and neighbourhood. Guide books to North Wales, published in England, in- variably introduce Rhyl geographically as the first place of importance along the North Wales coast. With a full know- ledge of the facts, we venture to add +hat it is second to none in North Wales as a health and holiday resort. Situate 30 miles from Chester, on the Holyhead branch of the London and North Western Railway, it is a modern town with a normal population of about 9,000, but capable of accommo- dating at any time from four to five times that number of people. It is not as showy a town as some holiday resorts, but its ad- vantages as a health and holiday resort are felt rather than seen. A little more than half a century ago Rhyl consisted of but a few straggling dwellings, mostly fisher- men's cottages; but with a growing recog- nition of its natural merits it has become one of the most popular seaside places in the kingdom, and it still presents wonderful possibilities. Comparison with Blackpool may appear a bit far-fetched, but relatively Rhyl has made progress quite as marked as that of the well-known Lancashire resort during its first fifty or sixty years, and at, perhaps, in the face of keener competition. Thanks to splendid railway facilities, Rhyl iF most accessible from all parts. It is within ninety minutes' ride of Manchester, 75 minutes of Liverpool, and 2\ hours of Birmingham, to say nothing of the ease with which it may be reached from other great centres of industry. The general equipment of the town is thoroughly up-to- date, and visitors will find that the hotel t-nd lodging-house terms will bear favour- able comparison with those of any other re- sort. In the matter of amusement and re- creation, holiday makers are catered for on a very varied scale, as its entertainments (in- door and outdoor) and its facilities for coach- ing, boating, bathing, fishing (sea and river), golfing, bowling, and other pastimes testify. In both summer and winter the town enjoys excellent railway, postal, telegraph and telephone services, which make it an ideal residential town or week-end resort tor the business men of manufacturing centres. Rhyl's popularity is undoubtedly due in the first place to its unrivalled sea-front—its magnificent stretch of firm sands, which have made the town so widely known as "The Children's Paradise." It is also due largely to its situation at the head of the fair and far-famed Vale of Clwyd. RHYL'S HEALTH AND SANITARY CONDITIONS. The first questions usually asked in these days, when everybody, more or less, is educated up to a high standard of hygienic knowledge, are: Is the town well drained? And is there a good water supply? To both questions we can safely answer for Rhyl in the affirmative. The town is governed by an Urban District Council, whose dictates are carried out by a verv efficient staff of officers; and no expense has been spared to bring both its sanitary system and its water supply up to he very latest requirements. In the matter of light- ing, the ratepayers possess a remunerative undertaking in the gasworks, but the elec- tric light concern is at present a losing affair of rather serious dimensions. The rates are never too low in any town, but those of Rhyl, while many doubtless heartily wish they were lower, will compare favourably with the rates of rival resorts. Rhyl takes the very foremost place as a health resort, mainly from its geographical position. The temperature is raised (and is made mare equable) by the presence of the sea. The atmosphere is so clear, owing to the town's freedom from fog, haze and cloud, that as regards sunshine the town holds many records. Out of 1096 days in 1903-4-5 Rhyl had no less than 930 sunny days. Snow is seldom seen here, and when there is a fall it is soon a thing of the past. In fact, in winter time Rhyl is generally bathed in warm sunshine, while other narts of North Wales are clad with snow. It is referred to frequently as "Sunny Rhyl." The rainfall of Rhyl is much below the average of the United Kingdom, and this is attributed in a great measure to the fact, expressed in common parlance, that the hills on either side the lovely vale of which it forms the head carry the rain up the country." The average rainfall for Rhyl is between 27 and 28 inches, as against about 35 in England and Wales as a whole, and about s2'3 for Llandudno and 37-38 for Torquay. Very rarely do thunder- storms break over the town. Writing on the advantages of Rhyl from medical man's point of view, Dr. T. H. Summerhill states:—"It stands almost un- equalled for the salubrity and dryness of its atmosphere, its exemption from all kinds of epidemics, and its freeness from fogs. The lightness of the soil causes a rapid evaporation and absorption of moisture, so that all traces of rain soon disappear from the surface. The sands, which are ex- tensive enough to give the full benefit of ozone to those who avail themselves of its health-giving properties, form beautiful bathing-grounds, entirely free from dan- ger." The healthfulness of Rhyl is also proved by the longevity of many of its residents. PROGRESS OF RHYL. Up to 1847 Rhyl was merely a small fish- ing village. "Traders" had their small craft sailing between Liverpool and the Foryd Harbour and Rhuddlan, three miles up the River Clwyd. The construction of the Railway from Chester to Rhyl (1847) and subsequently to Holyhead (1850) brought life to Rhyl and other seaside re- sorts in North Wales, for health and plea- sure hunters. 1852, First Local Act; 1872, Second Local Act; 1882, Provisional Order 1892, Third Local Act, empowering (a) Acquisition of the Gas Works, (b) Acquisition of the Water Works, (c) Ex- tending and Widening the Promenade, East and West, (d) Asphalting the Promenade, (e) Acquisition of about 50 acres of mud- land and marshy ground, and the construc- tion of a Marine Lake and Ornamental Grounds, and, by far the greatest triumph of the Public Board since 1852, (g) The extension and^ re-construction of the sewer- age and sanitary arrangements of every street and house in Rhyl, and introduction of modern improvements in the Water and Gas Works. The town expended about Z200,000 in carrying out the objects of the Act of 1892 alone, and further enormous sums have since been spent in doubling the town's water supply, putting down an elec- tric light plant, erecting workmen's dwell- ings, bringing the isolation hospital accom- modation thoroughly up-to-date, construct- ing a new East promenade, &c., &c. As a consequence of the great strides made in public matters at Rhyl since 1892, building operations have been most active, not only in erecting houses, shops, &c., but also in (improving those already erected. It was Sir Charles Cameron, ex-president of the Royal College of Surgeons, Ireland, who said that the climate of Rhyl made one long to live here always. In the course of a few minutes' conversation with a Journal representative, on the occasion of the com- pletion of the town's new sewerage works and the opening of the Marine Lake, Sir Charles said:—"It was the first time that he bad ever been to Rhyl, although he had visited most places of importance in the United Kingdom. He was charmed with all he had seen, and was sure that as the attractions of Rhyl, as well as the improve- ments, became more widely known, visitors would flock here in larger numbers. Had he been merely told that there was so much public spirit displayed in a town of the size of Rhyl, he could not have believed it. The most striking fact was the expenditure which the ratepayers had gone to in order that their town should be put on a proper footing from a sanitary point of view. With regard to the new sewerage works, he considered that the system was as perfect as it was possible to make it. No seaside town could wish for or secure a better sys- tem, and he admired the principle upon which the sewage was discharged into the sea. It was a matter of impossibility, he said, for the sewage to become a nuisance to the town, as the liquid was all fresh when discharged, with never less than 12 feet of water above the outlet. He had considered the matter, and with the strong tidal current flowing past the place where the sewage was discharged, coupled with \he fact that the tide had always three hours' ebb after the operation was complete Ls was convinced that not any of it would return to shore. He admired the machinerv mrl rervoir-in fact. the whole thing was linique. The Marine Lake he could de- scribe as nothing less than magnificent, while the climate of Rhyl made one long to live here always." Sir William Gull, Bart., said of Rhyl:- Its position has seemed to me favourable to health, and I have on more than one occa- sion sent patients there, and especially for certain cardiac affections." Dr. Evans, of Birmingham, was a fre- quent visitor at Rhyl, and said that it was unrivalled in the United Kingdom as a re- sidence for consumptive patients." RHYL IN WINTER. A Birmingham admirer of Rhyl (Mr. W. J. Spurrier) wrotg as follows of Rhyl as a health resort:- The fact that Rhyl has been selected for a place of permanent residence by large I numbers of men of business and of inde- pendent means, proves that it is a desirable place to live at all the year round. And as the grandness and unequalled beauty of its climate in winter becomes better under- stood, there will be no place more sought after as a winter resort. No fogs, but a blue sky. A place without fogs, but with a blue sky in winter, is so exceptional that people resident in inland towns and the metropolis, the worst of places for fogs, will at once recognise that it (the place) has advantages they want. Rhyl having such a large resident population, and being the principal town of a large and populous dis- trict, is busy all the year round. The streets are in the early evenings all lighted up, and the shops are brilliant, brisk, and active. Of amusements there is no lack; the inhabitants being very musical, the niusical entertainments are both numerous and of a high cI. Then there are dramatic and other performances constantly taking place, so that as a town Rhyl is quite alive during the winter. As a winter residence or health resort, Rhyl is not only beneficial to the jaded workers, both men and women (especially the ladies, who pass their busy home life too much within doors), but to those who are more or less troubled with their chest or throat. Even consump- live patients cannot do better than go to I Rhyl to be cured; for to be in its pure mild air, where the mere act of living becomes once again a pleasure, the enfeebled lungs once more have a chance of acting natur- ally and healthily, and if the case has not been neglected, convalescence is soon attained, and takes the place of the hope- less dream which has appeared to be the only outlook before. Then as to accom- modation and attention, the winter visitor can have all that is desired, which is a very great consideration; whereas those Southern winter resorts are crowded with poor in- valids, not only pitiable to behold, but most distressful to anyone affected, how- ever slightly. This crowded state prevents due attention being given to the patient, whose spirits are also grievously affected. It can be no one's wish to become a con- firmed invalid. All days are brilliant com- pared with inland town days; generally the sunlight is so bright as to be absolutely dazzling to eyes accustomed to the apology for daylight the smoke, fog, and damp have allowed them. Of course, one must be sufficiently clothed, for the mild and balmy air and sunshine give such positive warmth that this caution is quite necessary. Once a Rhyllian paid a visit to the South of France, where the climate is supposed to be so much better than in England. However that may be, it was found that, if anything, Welsh Rhyl had the advantage. Of course in winter the wind will blow wherever you may be; but in Rhyl, as be- for pointed out, it is shorn of much of its badness, and only blows in one direction. This being the case, and as there are always two ways of getting from one part of Rhyl to another, make it a rule to start with the wind and return with the wind; do not go against the wind. By adopting this simple expedient, unless there is a gale blowing, you never need be afraid of the wind being a trouble; no, it is a friend-a great puri- fier and health-giver. ON THE RHYL SANDS. Stepping across the Promenade, passing through one of the ways through the low stone wall, with its broad coping, upon which the youngsters delight to run, we are upon the sands-the glory of Rhyl-the glorious "Rhyl Sands." They are sands to bask in the sunshine upon, with or with- out a book, a sketch-block or some work for the ladies. To the tired sojourners in towns it is enjoyment intense to sit upon the warm, lovely sand, and let it trickle through their fingers or to lie and listen to the soft lapping of the waves as they roll in, on to the shore. Then to gaze up into the clear blue sky, sometimes with the fleecy white clouds slowly moving along. There is nothing so beautiful in nature as the sky on a bright summer day, and those who are of a restful disposition, never seem to tire of its ever-changing beauties. What lends the sands their chief attraction is the swarm of chubby children, which turn out upon them by the thousands. It is a gay and happy crowd, and it paddles and digs with incomparable zest and energy. It laughs and it dances, it skips, and it hides, and it climbs and it halloos, until the whole town seems to be filled with the tinkle of babv (voices and the patter of little feet. And the fun is so unrestrained, for there is plenty of room, and papa and mamma have thrown anxiety to the far away winds. "Daily Graphic." Then to turn seawards, what a grand ex- panse; stretching right away to the track of the great Atlantic liners, and westwards the beautiful bay, backed by the Denbigh- shire and the summits of the Carnarvon- shire Mountains, and ending in that bold headland, the Great Orme's Head. Aftei a good look: to get to the water's edge is the next thing at the sea side, there to watch the waves, "wavelets" or ripples, as they roll over, in their systematic and beautiful manner, as you stroll along, at times, especially when the tide is coming in, hav- ing to jump away if you get too close. Then to feel the sea, to plunge into it, how delightful and pleasant, and if, as you should be, you are a swimmer, to feel your- self gliding through the waves, or floating peacefully on the surface. And this, in- stead of bobbing up and down in a foot of water, as so many do. Recently "The Daily Graphic" devoted much space to an illustrated letter upon Rhyl, and the remarks upon Rhyl as a place for bathing being so correct and to the point, we give some extracts therefrom: — The sojourner seems to step from his door straight on to the beach;" and the sands, their firmness, compactness and wide ex- tent are unrivalled in the Principality, and they could give points event to Margate and Lowestoft. They stretch with the evenness of a billiard table half a mile away. Their almost imperceptible incline, and the absence of undulations, render bathing, when the tide is in, perfectly safe, and even children can venture out long distances." If further proof were needed of the per- fectness of the bathing, surely the fact that ladies, staying at other watering places on the coast, come specially to Rhyl to bathe, and those who have bathed elsewhere, ex- press their unbounded delight and appre- ciation of the Rhyl bathing. SEA FISHING AT RHYL. Good sport can be obtained by fishingi from the Pier, when the tide is in, for plaice, &c. The only charge is the Pier toll, 2d. Lines can be got mounted on winders, with leads and hooks on, ready for use. Weights of several sizes are wanted, as the tide runs at various speeds, and different weights are required accord- ing to the current. Best baits are sand worms, which some of the fishermen often keep in the season. Lob worms may be used when these cannot be got, but the best thing to do if you cannot buy the sand worms is to go and dig them on the sands, as they kill better. They want cutting into several pieces, one piece to be put on the hook. Sand worms can be kept for a few days in wet sand or seaweed, but they must be kept in a cool place. The best months are July, August, and September. Some amusement can be got with using an ordinary river mounted line, with float, in the river between the road and railway bridge, at Voryd. Eels and flat fish are got like this in numbers. Lob worms are a good bait. Bobbing for eels also is good fun, and the bottom of a boat can be covered with eels like this at times. The boatmen at Voryd will provide boat and baits for this if you give them notice. Flat fish spearing between the bridges from a boat is a change, and a good many fish can often be got like this. For cod and other deep sea fish a boat must be got, and you must get out to sea about a mile or two. The boatmen know the best spots. PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS. Royal Alexandra Hospital and Children's Convalescent Home. Named after Her Majesty Queen Alexandra, who with His Majesty King Edward VII., when Prince and Princess of Wales, laid the foundation stone, and whose son, the present Prince of Wales, formally opened in June, 1902. The building when complete will have cost :at ledst 1'50,000. This mo.;t useful insti tution receives into its care every year many hundreds of children and ladies from all parts of the country. An Accident Ward has recently been dded, to the great ad. vantage of Rhyl, sases of accident having before to be treated at the patient's home. The middle block of the hospital was for the most part built by the generosity of the te Duke of Westminster. MEN'S CONVALESCENT INSTITUTION In addition to two very targe hydro- pathic establishments the town of Rhyl pos- sesses three flourishing convalescent institu- tions, one for men, a second for women, and a third for children. The first institu- tion to be opened was the above, and is intended for men of the working and artisar classes who are in need of a place to recruit their health. The original cost of building and furnishing these premises was defrayed by a few kind-hearted people, but the cur- rent expenses are defrayed principally by voluntary contributions; the inmates are charged the low fee of 6s. per week (but if recommended by a subscriber they pay only 5s.). The institution numbers about 140 beds. A VIEW OF THE SETTING SUN. To see the rising sun from Snowdon's summit, and to watch its setting from the shore at Rhyl, are two of the most magni- ficent sights in the world, and it is no wonder that every eye is fixed upon the Great Light as he gradually sinks in the western sky—setting in a flood of golden beauty on his evening throne. He broadens by degrees, and as he approaches the wave his tinge changes to a brilliant red, and his form becomes more distinct, exhibiting the appearance of an immense ball of fire, putting the sky and the ocean into a perfect blaze of the brightest rose colour, produc- ing one of the most splendid spectacles eve' seen. A FAMOUS PICTURE. Who has not seen David Cox's famous paintings "Rhyl Sands" and "The Vale of Clwyd"? It is to David Cox we greatly owe the development of our land- scape painting. David Cox is, beyond comparison, the most widely known artist and the greatest, alike in his range, the vigour of his method, and his direct appeal to the sympathy and the affections of pic- mind is most remarkable. He seems to be still amongst us, or so close to our time that he is felt as an almost actual presence, although a generation and more has passed since his death. That a painter of such eminence should have selected Rhyl and the ture-lovers. His hold upon the public Vale of Clwyd for quite a number of his paintings, during a series of visits on his annual sketching tours, in his mature period, is surely .the highest possible evid- ence of the picturesqueness of the scenery. His picture of "Rhyl Sands," painted 1854-5, size 53in. by 2pVm., was exhibited at Liverpool and sold for £100. It then passed through several hands, being sold, 1864, for ^150. Now note the want of appreciation on the part of art or picture- lovers or purchasers, except the few with the necessary foresight. In another eight years this same picture was sold for £ 2,300. It was exactly the same picture, just as it was when it left the artist's hands seventeen years before. It was not like the '"own of Rhyl, upon which, in the same time, many, many thousands of pounds had been expended, and so becoming intrinsi- cally of greater value. No the true value of the artist's work had been discovered. This picture, "Rhyl Sands," is now in the Birmingham Art Gallery. NEWMARKET. This village is situated on an elevated table-land, to which there is a steep ascent. The nearest railway station is at the upper end of Dyserth, on the Prestatyn and Dv- serth Light Railway. A huge tumulus is an object of great interest to antiquarians, as well as some curiously shape tomb- stones, semi-circular in form, to be seen in the Churchyard. Llyn Helyg, a some- what extensive lake, is in close proximity to the village. From Newmarket short journeys can be made to Llanasa, Mostvn, Whitford, and Holywell. The famous caves of Gwaenysgor are in the immediate neighbourhood. DYSERTH AND NEIGHBOURHOOD. Dyserth is four miles from Rhvl by road, and six miles by rail via Prestátvn: The path thereto through the fields provides the pedestrian with a very pretty walk. Dy- serth church possesses some interesting fea- tures, among which may be reckoned a verv old window. This east window, sometimes called the Jesse Window," is said by some to have formed a part of Basingwerk Abbey. A cross, of curious workmanship, is also to be found in this churchyard. Near to the ruins of Dyserth Castle are the famous old lead ore and blende mines of Talargoch. These extensive mines are now closed, and have been for the last few years, owing to the low price ruling for the lead ore, and the large quantity of lead ore which is now imported into this country. Formerly these mines ranked among the most productive in the kingdom, and gave employment to hundreds of the scattered population of the district. Pennant re- cords the fact that old Roman implements were found in the crevices of the rock above the present workings. 0 LLAN F AIRTALHAIARN. A fine tour is that which takes the visitor by coach from Rhyl through Abergele to Llanfairtalhaiarn, one of the beauty spots of Wales. The oad crosses the moun- tains at a considerable height, and then dips down to the bed of the River Elwy, in which stream there is capital fishing. It is usual to bring the tourist back from Llan- fairtalhaiarn through the Pass of Brvn-y- PI-TI. a rugged mountain road amid de- lightful scenery, to the Cross Foxes at Glas- coed, which is known as Stanley's Old Home." Here the mother of Sir H. M. Stanley lived for many years, and was visited bv her son on his return from Africa. The coaches have the choice of two routes back to Rhyl from the "Cross Foxes," either passing down the steep hill to Bodelwyddan, or proceeding along Rose Hill through St. Asaph. Both are pretty drives. VALE OF CLWYD. This renowned valley has been so highly eulogised, that strangers may find its beau- ties fail to satisfy the anticipations with which they approach it. It presents a scene of rich cultivation and tranquil beauty. light tourists. Watered through its whole length by the River Clwyd, it extends from about four miles south of Ruthin to the coast of Flintshire, about 24 miles while in breadth it varies from about 2 to 6 or 7 miles. It is bounded on both sides by hills of moderate height, those on the East side being the most lofty and conspicuous. At the South it is closed in by mountains, and at the North it is open to the sea. The land which lies near to the river is level, culti- vated, and fertile, in most parts producing corn oi good quality. The plain and por- tions of the slopes are well wooded, and the peaceful cottages and cheerful homesteads suggest ideas of serenity, comfort and con- tentment. Elegant villas, and in some in- stances, stately mansions grace the river. side, or repose in the shelter of the neigh- bouring hills. To obtain a full view of the vallev, it is desirable to ascend some of the neighbouring heights; or portions of it may be seen to advantage from the castle of Rhuddlan and the Cathedral of St. Asaph. Burke, in his Beauties, Harmonies, and Sublimities of Nature," says that of all the vales in England and Wales, that of the Clwyd is most rich. The now peaceful Vale of Clwyd has been the scene of war- fare and carnage, and many are the con- flicts which might be recorded. BODELWYDDAN CHURCH. Bodelwyddan Church is not far from the castellated mansion known as Bodelwyddan Hall. The Church is a modern specimen of decorated Gothic architecture, and one of the most beautiful and exquisitely finished churches in Great Britain. Its tall white spire 202 feet high can be seen for miles around. The first stone of this church was laid by the Dowager Lady Willoughby de Broke (the donor) in 1856. The Church was designed by the late Mr. John Gibson. of Westminster. On entering, the visitors' attention is at once attracted by the tran- scendent beauty of the interior, which is richlv adorned with a profusion of carvings and windows of stained giasa. The eastern window is the most beautiful, and together with the others in the chancel, represents a series of events in the life of our Lord. The font cost ^300. It is sculptured out of a block of Carara marble, and repre- sents two of Sir Hugh and Lady Williams' little girls bearing a shell. The cost of the building was ^60,000. The parsonage and fine schools are close by, all erected through the munificence of Lady Wil- loughbv. Several brakes, &c., leave Rhyl ,t frequent intervals during the day, and on Sundays for service. The usual route followed by carriage drivers to Bodel- wvddan Church turns off to the right after crossing the Railway Bridge at Rhuddlan. The road runs under a canopy of trees and is a very pleasant drive.