Probus Club members are treated to a talk and film about the Abergele Train Disaster of 1868 By NOTICEBOARD · 23 April 2025 Members and guests of the Denbigh and District Probus Club enjoyed their April meeting with meal at Tweedmill followed by a talk and film titled The Abergele Train Disaster (The Fate of the Irish Mail train) given and presented by Tony Griffiths Tony Griffiths is a notable local documentary filmmaker who also has a photography picture framing and portrait studio business and shop in Bridge St He has been involved in photography for more than 20 years and is skilled in all aspects of the media His work has been exhibited in various venues in Wales including Prestatyn Library Tony was a headteacher for 17 years before retirement and soon after that he set up his business and shop which has been open for many years he started making short movie documentaries with the support of good friends and local volunteers they are a dedicated group of filmmakers capturing the rich history of North Wales and telling stories of remarkable people All films are made without budget/external funds The film the Abergele Train Disaster (The Fate of the Irish Mail train) which was made 10 years ago came about following the purchase of a book titled Death by Chance - The Abergele Train Disaster written by Robert Hume that Tony saw in Siôp y Morfa Following further research and discussions including visits to St Michael’s Church Abergele record offices and the Railway Museum in York Tony helped by his wife and other volunteers put together a plan for a film with scripts actors etc and the film The Abergele Train Disaster (The Fate of the Irish Mail train) was filmed and edited The film tells and outlines the true story of the Irish Mail Train that departed from London Euston at 7.30am onAugust 20 and after additional carriages were added and more passengers boarded as it was involved in an accident between Abergele and Llanddulas which led to the death of 33 passengers and crew with a fire burning through many of the carriages The details of the inquest led by Dr Evan Pierce of Denbigh are covered including how difficult it was to identify the deceased which included people from a variety of social classes and lifestyles as the fire destroyed much of the evidence The evidence from witnesses is also referred to and how some of this was disregarded and why there was a funeral with a mass burial in St Michael’s Church with each coffin laid side by side in a huge grave - the most dignified in the land together with those of lowly birth - a leveller The disaster led to strong recommendations and new rules and regulations to improve the safety of rail travel The next Denbigh and District Probus Club meeting will be on Monday and former Coxswain of the Rhyl Life Boat (from 1986 for 14 years) will speak to members about diving in Scapa Flow Chris Grier will talk about Richard Clough - The most complete man Denbigh and District Probus Club is a group of business or professional men and women either approaching or enjoying retirement or semi-retirement New members are always warmly welcomed to the Denbigh and District Probus Club meetings For further information have a look at the club web site denbighprobus.com or contact stevetootell@gmail.com LoadingDaily Email Updates {{contentTitle}} Sign our campaign for a grant funding review John McCall Architects is working with the applicant Replacing the derelict Bee Hotel with a college building is proposed as the initial phase of the developer’s Western Gateway plans for which are now with Conwy Council Satplan and John McCall Architects are working with registered social landlord Cartrefi Conwy and college organisation Grwp Llandrillo Menai The professional team also includes Highways Advice This is proposed as phase one of a three-stage masterplan also taking in the redevelopment of the Slaters motor dealership site As set out by Satplan in the application form the hotel building has been derelict since 2017 and has required three interventions to secure its structure Although an educational future is in the offing for the site a condition of grant funding is that the building be BREEAM Excellent and net zero The proposed college building would be around 9,100 sq ft slightly smaller than the existing pub/hotel’s footprint of 10,700 sq ft an umbrella organisation made up of Coleg Menai is looking for a new central Abergele base to replace space on Faenol Avenue The proposed site would house a base for adult learning and create a centre of excellence for teaching British Sign Language Co-applicant Cartrefi Conwy is a residential developer that has been working across North Wales since 2008 The firm took over ownership of the Bee site in 2019 as it looks to deliver a mixed-use development across the Abergele Western Gateway Although it is stressed in the application’s design & access statement that all images including the future phases are indicative only they offer a broad view of the intent to deliver phase two as a residential conversion of the existing outbuildings and stables Phase three would be a community hub building Some park space is envisaged as a meanwhile use on these plots while phase one is being developed You can view the plans on Conwy Council’s planning portal with the reference 0/52328 Read our comments policy Δdocument.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value" but how will it impact regeneration and development in the area Find out at Place North West’s half-day conference in June Gwynedd Council has voted to defer an application submitted by Cadnant Planning detailing the reset of a former brickworks into a 62,400 sq ft recycling plant for soils Register for free North West property intelligence Δdocument.getElementById( "ak_js_2" ).setAttribute( "value" Join more than 13,000 property professionals and sign up to receive your free daily round-up of built environment news direct to your inbox By subscribing, you are agreeing to our Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy. 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