Old Colwyn, Abergele Street c.1939

Photo ref: O16131

This early motor wagonette was probably operated by J. Fred Francis from Colwyn Bay to Old Colwyn for a three-penny fare until the coming of the Trams in March 1915. It succeeded a two horse omnibus which ran between the two locations eight times daily until about 1907. The horse bus was painted green and is likely to have been purchased and constructed in the Manchester area circa 1895-8 Francis was one of the ...see more

What an interesting photograph of a grey painted tram heading for the 'Queens Hotel' terminus which was just over half of a mile away. It would take just over five minutes and three tramstops to reach the terminus where, the brakes would be wound on full to counteract the falling gradient there. The conductor would hold on to the trolley pole rope, pull it down and tie it down to the ...see more

Re The Donkey path. I think Joanne is wrong - I know the embankment you speak of, there used to be a miniature railway which ran along the bottom of the embankment from the Prom entrance of Erias Park along to the Pier. The Donkey Path went/goes from opposite the Marine Hotel in Old Colwyn down to the beach, it branched off towards Glan Y Don and the Civic Centre to the rear of the Police HQ. It was so called as a Donkey was raffled to raise money for the making the path.

Does anyone remember the `Donkey Path`? The fairy glen looks vaguely familiar but I was very young and can`t remember details. My aunt and family lived in one of the beautiful houses overlooking the beach in Old Colwyn. The houses were knocked down when the bypass was introduced to the town. My aunt emigrated to Australia after that. I just remember an exciting time going for walks along the donkey path to the beach. Thinking of it now I can almost smell the seaside.