Images from Ruthin's Past Page under development​
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The Roger Edwards Collection
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December 2024
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Roger has provided 88 images from his collection of historical images of Ruthin. Scroll down and enjoy! Please contact us if you can offer more information on the content / date of these pictures.
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The images are mainly grouped by street.
Ruthin Castle and Castle Street
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Mold Road - Rhos Street - Brynhyfryd
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Well Street - Railway - Record Street (This page)
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A note on Well Street - this name is a corruption of what was was originally 'Welsh Street', after the local people were expelled to here from Castle Street by the English in the Castle.
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Ironically, this was then rendered back into Cymraeg as Stryd y Ffynnon.
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Equally ironically, there were artesian wells along here, so the name is appropriate in both languages!
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Lower end of Well Street, looking west. Date ??
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This short section of road was formerly Pen Barras. There were once 10 pubs within 40m. of the road junction - the only one still functioning is The Feathers, left foreground. To the right is the Railway Stores, the name of this can still be made out on the far side wall of the building.
Beyond these two buildings can be seen the parapets of the bridge over the railway cutting , below where the person is standing in the road. This was demolished in 1967 and the cutting filled in.
The route is now occupied by Station Road (right) and open space leading to private property (left).​
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The lower end of Well Street looking East. Date?
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While some of these buildings are still standing and recognisable., there have been changes. Beyond the former Anchor Inn (facing the end of Well Street at the 'Anchor Corner') can be seen the bell tower of Ruthin Workhouse, demolishes 1960s.
The row of small whitewashed cottages on the right were replaced in 1924 by the Cinema, which in turn has been a bar, antiques emporium, and now an Indian Restaurant.
The cottages on the left were replaced by Beech's garage, in turn replaced in the 1990s by a Home Improvement store.
The brothers John and Peter Williams , with their staff, in front of their store, 1918.
Owens Grocers (Date uncertain)
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This became the Station Stores and the railway line passed under a bridge here, on which the photographer would have been standing.
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The shop sign painted on brick, just out of view to the left of this picture, can still be discerned.
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The natural line of the railway,as planned, would have passed through Ruthin to the west, close to Borthyn. What would have been the Station Hotel was built before the railway construction began - it is now the Park Place, it's architecture betrays its railway origins. (image below)
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Whitefriars Field is correctly known as Cae Mynach.
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It is noteworthy that Miss West cut the first sod - it is the Wests of Ruthin Castle who refused to provide land so close to their castle home and forced the D. R. and C.Rlwy. Co. to choose a route the other side of town, necessitating a cutting.
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It is also noteworthy that the procession concluded with a 'Corps of Navvies, Workmen etc.' People knew their place!
The locomotive dates this picture to the 1920s/30s. It is an LNWR 2-4-2 tank, of which several were based at Rhyl and Denbigh.
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Pictured from the footbridge, the late afternoon train, maybe the 4.57 from Corwen to Chester (Ruthin 5.30), is heading north into Ruthin station at the point where the single line becomes double to serve the platforms and sidings.
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Railway Terrace, still extant, can be seen in the background. The land to the right of the road is now occupied by County Hall car park and commercial premises, and that to the left by Wernfechan housing. The Briec roundabout now partially covers this point.
Beech's Garage. on Well Street, now the site of Ruthin Decor. After building alterations the garage became a car showroom (Slater's) but still sold petrol from a single pump until about 1995.
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The building to the right is the former Swan Inn.
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Parry's Pork Shop
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This building now houses King's Ironmongers, Well Street Clinic and other businesses.
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There is some conjecture ( but disagreement) that the core of this building could be a traditional welsh longhouse.
Record Street (Undated)
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Note the cobbles!
The middle of Well Street. Not cobbled!
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To thew left is the Wynnstay Arms, formerly the Cross Foxes. The fine jetty was removed in the 1960s to facilitate the turning of large vehicles, especially buses, out of Wynnstay Road, which is to the right of the photographer. Note too the hanging Three Tuns sign, the traditional symbol denoting a hostelry.
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To the right, by the cart, is what was once a farmhouse Off camera to the right is now Chatwin's, where Wynnstay House once stood. This proud building was demolished to allow for the construction of Wynnstay Road. Oddly, no photographs of this house have been found. If you know of one, please let us know.
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The yard of the Hand Inn, undated. The family have dressed up for the occasion. This was the last establishment in Ruthin to brew its own ale.
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The distinctive roof is still partly visible at the back of the property, which is currently unoccupied at street level, having been, since the pub closed in the 1960s, 'Man About the House', Clwyd Army and Navy stores, and a Picture Framer.
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Top of Well Street. Undated.
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At the top of the hill can be seen the 3 gable ends to the rear of the old Courthouse - see next picture.
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T. Williams' shop occupies Crown House (right)
The rear of the old Courthouse.
These gabled extensions were demolished in the 1920s when the building became the National Westminster Bank.
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They had housed workshops, including a nailmaker and saddler. Note the mounting steps for horse riders.
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The building, no longer a bank, now Y Henlys, is under community use and houses the Town Council, exhibitions and public meetings. It has been restored to the original configurtion.
Bill Sullivan
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Window cleaner and local character, outside Crown House.
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Undated
Looking back down Well Street
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Most of these buildings are recognisable today, some 120 years after this photo would have been taken.
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Williams Newsagents, now Siop Nain.
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Interesting items in the window included ship sailing times from Liverpool
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To the rear of this building the first copies of the National Anthem 'Mae hen wlad fy nhadau' were printed.
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