A look back at the site of Colwyn Bay's resurrected Victoria Pier

An article by The Daily Post see HERE

THIS week’s nostalgia spotlight looks at the history behind the Victoria Pier on Colwyn Bay Promenade, of which a truncated version has recently been built after the former design collapsed due to Storm Doris in February 2017.

Opened in 1900, the Grade II listed building is steeped in a rich, varied history, and has created a platform for many famous visitors over the years including Cary Grant, Slade, Motorhead and many more.

It has also been twinned with three different pavilions – the first was destroyed by fire in 1922, as did the second in 1933, while the third was dismantled in 2018.

Amy Dyke, a director at the Colwyn Victoria Pier Trust (CVPT), shared fellow Colwyn Bay residents’ memories of the pier and offered an insight into what the future will hopefully hold for it.

Future plans

Amy said: “The recent completion of the truncated Pier Bae Colwyn on Colwyn Bay Promenade has been met with mixed feelings from the community; both welcome congratulations, and sadness that the old Victorian Pier did not survive Storm Doris in February 2017.

“There is one local group (CVPT) who have continued to believe in the importance of its existence and the benefits it brings to the town, and have always fought to give it a voice.

“They, along with many of its supporters, believe that it should not be another one of those listed building in Wales that has been allowed to deteriorate, and that as a community non-for-profit organisation, they can win the hearts, minds and finances of the funding bodies and organisations that would help to realise this vision.

“The truncated pier has been erected using many of its original parts, most of which required careful restoration.

“It has been beautifully resurrected, sympathetic to its heritage, and although it is not yet the full extent of the pier that was once, it is the minimum that the council were required to do for now!

“We are busy working on designs and plans to initially utilise the truncated pier, which will add value to the promenade for visiting tourism while also providing a showcase for local businesses, providing jobs and the opportunities for the wider community.

“The plans will see the project evolve in phases, which will ultimately lead to the structure extended out from the truncated pier with the reinstatement of facilities on top of the deck ,creating an innovative 21st century offer, fit for future business purposes.

“The trust intends to hold public consultations once the plans are ready for viewing.

“The pandemic has been tough, and like many local charities, we couldn’t open the shop to sell any items and generate funds, and couldn’t organise any face to face activities, but we have maintained our work by meeting on Zoom and have made good progress in the background.

“The trust hears from many people who are reminded of their connection with the old pier, particularly when images are shared on the trust’s Facebook page, often evoking discussions of times gone by.

“It has always been such a vital and iconic part of the town and holds the fondest of memories for both locals and visitors.

“With such a rich and varied history, the pier has created a platform for many famous visitors over the years, and it is the trust’s belief that its legacy should be far-reaching.

“With continued development, it was and still can become an iconic meeting place for new relationships, social gatherings, and creative arts, providing inspiration, enjoyment and happiness for those who love to tread the boards.”

Old treasured memories

Actor Cary Grant remembered the pier in his autobiography, ‘Archie Leach’ (his birth name).

He had arrived to perform: “In the theatre built on, of all windy wintry places, a pier. So many young former members of the company (entertainer Bob Pender's troupe of young performers) were already being discharged from the army that Bob Pender obtained engagements for two complete troupes in the type of Christmas shows that so particularly suited our tumbling talents: the traditional English pantomimes.

“Which aren’t pantomimes at all, by the way, but fairy stories such as Cinderella, Mother Goose, Puss in Boots, and so on, told in part musical-comedy and part slapstick form.

“They’re colourfully and quite expensively presented in most English towns for, usually, a packed eight-week run. The best troupe, the older troupe, played the better pantomime in Liverpool.

“So, that’s how I came to be in cold Colwyn Bay; walking the next-to-highest stilts in a graduated line of other stilt walkers, with my head inside a huge papier-mâché mask on which sat a large, white, limp lady’s bonnet with a frill around it, and my elongated body and long, long legs encased in a great calico dress that had frilled collar and cuffs to match the hat.

“Well, naturally! It was the most spectacular of the many acts we performed to delight children who yearly sit entranced at the magic of English pantomime.”

Glenys Thomas (née Jones) remembered doing ‘proper ballroom dancing’ and fondly recalls doing the Lambeth Walk underneath a large glitter ball on the ceiling. Her husband was also a manager of the pier during the 1940s and 1950s.

In the late 1980s, Gavin Davies remembers visiting the record shop to while away some time with his friend Mike Lewis, who ran the establishment.

He was asked to draw a Welsh dragon as he had some artistic talent, which was later put up on the front of the pier surrounded by bright lighting which remained in situ for years.

Gavin believes this was the catalyst for his decision to go into graphic design.

Mike Hall, a friend of the trust, recalls: “When playing in a local band, The Questions (later we changed our name to Uncle Herbert’s Big Soul Band), we often let the odd guest musician sit in with us at gigs from time to time and Lemmy (who later become Motörhead frontman) was a frequent visitor on stage.

“He was living in the area at that time before his trip to London and fame and fortune.

“He played guitar rather than bass in those days and sometimes came along to roadie for us for a couple of quid when he was short of cash - which was quite a frequent occurrence.”

Jane, a Colwyn Bay resident, shared: “I went to see Slade with my partner (at the pier)on his birthday on December 16, 1980.

“It was our first date and we had to leave on the song ‘Goodbye to Jane’ as I was only 16 and had to go to school in the morning.”

Amy added: “Whatever your thoughts are about the new truncated pier, there is no doubt that piers create wonderful memories for lots of people.

“As we grow old, we do become nostalgic, but we have learned during the pandemic just how important events, socialising or enjoying a simple family day out to the seaside is.

“An iconic landmark such as a pier can focus the mind, providing a backdrop which enhances memories.

“I suppose you could say it’s the ultimate buried treasure.”

Interview by Amy Dyke (who is one of our loyal Trust Members,) and a wonderful article, thank you Amy.