ABC Wednesday: A is for Andy Pearce

On the evening before the start of the annual Victorian Extravaganza Weekend, the lifeboat "Andy Pearce" was towed onto the slipway where it remained for the whole weekend. The Mersey class "Andy Pearce 12-006" arrived at Llandudno on 15th November, 1990 and after a week of intensive crew training, she was placed 'on station' on 23rd November. It is capable of operating at up to 17 knots (31 km/h) and can be launched from a carriage but can also lie afloat or be slipway launched when required. Its propellers are fully protected from damage when launching or in shallow water by partial tunnels and two bilge keels. Its low height can be further reduced by collapsing its mast and aerials which then allows it to be stored in a boathouse. A sealed cabin gives it a self-righting ability. Power comes from two Caterpillar 285hp turbo-charged engines. It carries 1,110 litres (290 US gal) of fuel to give it a range of 240 nautical miles (440 km). It has a crew of six and can carry a X Boat inflatable which it can deploy at sea. Its survivor compartment can carry 43 people, but more than 21 prevents self-righting should the boat capsize.

The All-weather Lifeboat 'Andy Pearce' cost approximately £455,000.00 to build and was provided out of a legacy from Mr Andrew Pearce, plus other gifts and legacies. Andy Pearce successfully carried out her first rescue on 17th April 1991 when she was launched in early darkness to rescue two men in difficulties off the Rhos-on-Sea breakwater. The two men, in a 25' converted ships lifeboat, had been in trouble at the boat's mooring because of a strong north westerly wind (more than 40 mph) and a four foot swell. Both men were taken abroad the lifeboat unharmed and landed safely at Deganwy.

After use the lifeboat is towed back through town to the lifeboat station. Llandudno Lifeboat Station is the only lifeboat station in the UK to have its boathouse located in the middle of town. Whereas most lifeboat stations are situated next to the sea for obvious reasons, Llandudno Lifeboat Station is situated in Lloyd Street, almost equidistant from both of Llandudno's shores. The reason for this unique situation goes back to 1861 when the boathouse was positioned so that the boat could be towed equally quickly to either North Shore or West Shore.

The current boathouse was constructed in 1903. A new lifeboat station is currently being built at Craig-y-Don where a larger boat can be accomodated.

For more information visit the lifeboat website.

A contribution to ABC Wednesday.

ABC Wednesday:Y is for Ynys Gored Goch

Ynys Gored Goch (Red Weir Island) also known as Whitebait Island sits in the Menai Strait between the two bridges that link Ynys Môn (Anglesey) to the mainland. The stretch of water is known as "The Swellies" due to whirlpools formed by the string tidal flow.

In 1590 the island belonged to the Diocese of Bangor who leased the island to Thomas Fletcher of Treborth who paid three pounds plus one barell full of herring. The island was used as a fishing trap. During high tides fish would swim into traps set near the island.

In the early 20th century, it was fashionable for visitors to cross to the island to enjoy whitebait teas. They would walk down to the shore by a footpath through the Coed Môr woods, ring a bell placed on the shore for the purpose, and a boat would put out from the island to collect them. The Gorad Whitebait Tea consisted of a pot of tea, brown bread and butter, and whitebait "fried in a basket", priced one shilling. During very high tides in the spring and autumn, the water sometimes reaches the outside of the houses on the front and west sides.

In more recent times the island has been privately owned and according to the details on the Wales Directory the two houses on the island are available for use as holiday accomodation, although this information may not be current.

Information sources:
Anglesey Today;
Wikipedia;
Anglesy Hidden Gems.

A contribution to ABC Wednesday and Wednesday Waters.

ABC Wednesday:T is for Tombola

Tombolo (BF6303) is a Foden steam traction engine built in 1911.

It was taking part in a parade during the 30th Llandudno Victorian Extravaganza Weekend.



The Llandudno Victorian Extravaganza was founded in 1986. It is staged on the town centre streets, each May Day Bank Holiday. The Llandudno Transport Festival is a sister event on Bodafon Fields run by local transport enthusiasts.

Many more of the photographs I took of the weekend can be viewed on Geograph.

A contribution to ABC Wednesday.

ABC Wednesday:S is for Surf Snowdonia

Surf Snowdonia, opened in August 2015, as a brand-new artificial wave facility at Dolgarrog in the Conwy Valley, North Wales. Privately funded, it cost £12m to build, on the site of a former aluminium factory – though it has been decontaminated since, and approved by Welsh environmental regulators. It is the first in the world. Surf Snowdonia uses WaveGarden technology, pioneered by a group of surfer-engineers in San Sebastián, Spain, and which is being rolled out globally from Spring 2016. The waves are created once a minute by a snow plough-like weight that moves underwater along a central pier.

The attraction is 300 metres (985ft) long and 110 metres (360ft) wide (around the size of six football pitches) containing six million gallons of water with three wave heights offering waves that are up to six feet high if you ride the whole way of 150 metres. The pool is filled with rainwater collected from Snowdonia reservoirs including Llyn Cowlyd. This water passes through the adjacent hydro-power station, originally built to power the former aluminium plant, before being pumped from the tail-race into the surfing pool.

For further information see the Surf Snowdonia website.

A contribution to ABC Wednesday.

Lapwing Lake

One of the lakes at Moore Nature Reserve which comprises almost 200 acres of woodland, meadows, lakes and ponds. It has been managed as a nature reserve since 1991, after being used as farmland and for sand quarrying. It is managed by wardens employed by FCC Environment, operators of the nearby Arpley Landfill site. Arpley Landfill began operating in 1988 and covers more than 500 acres. The landfill is being restored to a mix of woodland and grassland and, together with Moore Nature Reserve, should eventually provide an important public amenity and area of rich biodiversity on the edge of what is a busy, and growing urban area.

More information about the nature reserve can be found on its website.

All of my photographs taken that day can be found at Geo-trips plotted on a map and available as a slideshow.

A contribution to
Our World Tuesday;
NF Trees and Bushes;
ABC Wednesday;
Wednesday Waters.

ABC Wednesday: A is for Abel Heywood

  © Copyright Gerald England and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence.

Abel Heywood is a Hydes pub, restaurant and boutique hotel on the corner of Turner Street and Red Lion Street which opened in December 2014 after conversion from a semi-derelict building.

  © Copyright Gerald England and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence.

It is named after Abel Heywood (1810 – 1893) who set up a penny reading room in 1831 and had a bookselling business in Oldham Street. An active Chartist, his business published much of the reading material of the town's movement, including the Northern Star. In 1841, he was elected treasurer of the National Charter Association, as well as sitting on the executive committee. At the same time he campaigned actively for the incorporation of the city and, once this was achieved, was elected to the council in 1843. Heywood served as alderman in 1853 and in 1859 stood unsuccessfully as a Radical Liberal candidate for Manchester. His first term as Mayor was in 1862–1863, during the cotton famine. He became Mayor again in 1876–1877. A major achievement was his role in guiding Manchester Town Hall to its completion; the clock bell of the Town Hall, "Great Abel", is named after him.

  © Copyright David Dixon and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence.

His son, also named Abel continued the business after his death and the gable end of the building carries the words "Abel Heywood and Son".

  © Copyright David Dixon and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence.

According to Pubs of Manchester The Red Lion stood here from the early 19th century until the early to mid 20th century. It seems probable that the pub occupied only that part on the corner of Red Lion Street and Catlow Lane. The section to the right was once a gallery, where it exhibited sets from the BBC series, Cutting It. Catlow Lane was originally Church Lane.

A contribution to ABC Wednesday and signs, signs.

ABC Wednesday: W is for Wheelhouse

The Wheelhouse is a narrative show which unfolds inside and around a circular set as it rolls, with the audience walking alongside.

It is described as being "A gently comic dystopia, set in a different time where everything has a new value and survival relies on sharp eyes, quick hands, and, above all, friendship. Stunning design, theatrical acrobatics, and breathtaking moments of risk, all housed within an exquisite, hand-built structure."

It was commissioned as a walkabout by Without Walls in 2008 and funded for development into a full show (2011) by Applause. With Direction from Flick Ferdinando.

This flagship show by Acrojou has been seen in 13 countries and arrived in Llandudno in September 2015 as part of the Llandudno Arts Weekend LLAWN03.

More of my photos from LLAWN03 can be found on Geograph.

A contribution to ABC Wednesday.

U is for Unicorn Hotel, Church Street, Manchester

A contribution to
ABC Wednesday;
Wordless Wednesday;
signs, signs.

See another photograph of the Unicorn on sithenah.

ABC Wednesday: T is for Tapping Hand

Tapping Hand is an Automaton created in 2006 by Welsh artist Shani Rhys James.

As part of the LLAWN03 Arts Festival in September it was placed within the dramatic setting of the shuttered concrete tube in MOSTYN Art Gallery. The tapping mechanical action of the automaton resonated within the space and with the other works on display as part of the Women Art Society II exhibition.

At the launch of LLAWN03, the Spanish dance duo Guillermo Weickert and Maria Cabeza de Vaca created an improvised dance response which explored the connections between the stark architecture and the sharp, haunting repetitive actions of the solitary automaton.

More of my photos from LLAWN03 can be found on Geograph.

A contribution to ABC Wednesday.

ABC Wednesday: R is forRoad Train at Rest And Be Thankful

From Llandudno there is a Road Train you can catch that will take you on a tour of the Marine Drive a road that goes around the side of the promontory known as the Great Orme. At the top it breaks the journey with a 15-20 minutes stop at "Rest and be thankful" where there is a small café.

The view looking west ranges towards the island of Anglesey with the smaller Puffin Island visible just off shore.

Looking slightly east of north the view shows the top of a former lighthouse that has since been converted into a guesthouse.

Looking east rain can be seen coming over the wind turbines in Liverpool Bay whilst on the right is the Little Orme.

This shows the rear of the Rest and be Thankful where most people from the road train and the red car in the car park are partaking of some refreshments.

And finally a look at the road and two riders tackling the climb on their cycles.

A contribution to ABC Wednesday
and Wednesday Waters.

N is for North Western Gardens, Llandudno

North Western Gardens was reconfigured in 2000 to prioritise pedestrian movement as part of a multimillion pound Heritage Lottery Urban Parks funded renewal programme. The park used to be known locally as 'Bog Island' because its underground toilets were marooned in a sea of cars. While traffic is still present on two sides of the triangular space, one side is now anchored to the shops. Thick planting borders of perennials surround the green lawn, wide pavements and dozens of long comfortable benches can now be enjoyed without interference from traffic.

This recent view looking over the gardens from the cafe in the Mostyn Art Gallery shows where the road used to run on the left.

Until 2014 the square included a beautiful old oak tree but winter storms have destroyed it and now there is only a stump left. The wooden sculpture of the White Rabbit was installed in 2012.

The view above was taken in 2007 from the opposite direction and before the sculpture was installed.

A contribution to ABC Wednesday and NF Trees and Bushes.

M is for Medicine Show

As part of LLAWN03 Mr & Mrs Clark were in Llandudno to present their Medicine Show.

The show combines song, dance and a dark sense of comedy to entertain, ridicule and provoke good health practice.

Members of the audience are cured of bad auras and returned to a state of utopian happiness.

A contribution to ABC Wednesday.

Zozagardo at New Islington

The New Islington Marina is centred on Old Mill Street in an area of Ancoats, Manchester, that has seen considerable urban regeneration since the Millennium. The marina services both the Ashton Canal on one side and the Rochdale Canal on the other, although there is no direct connection between the two canals.

The Zozagardo is a 57ft, metal-hulled narrowboat from the River Weaver that has been based at the New Islington Marina since 2011.

The large central basin off the Rochdale Canal has a number of permanent moorings.

Some narrowboats have been moored at New Islington long enough to develop their own canal-side garden.

A contribution to
ABC Wednesday;
Wednesday Waters;
Skywatch Friday.

A view of the Conwy Valley

A contribution to
Our World Tuesday;
NF Trees and Bushes;
Water World Wednesday;
ABC Wednesday;
Wordless Wednesday.

N is for Narrowboats

This narrowboat is called Tinkerbelle and is moored on the Ashton Canal just east of Portland Basin.

On the left past the moorings is Cavendish Mill, a Grade II* listed former cotton spinning mill built between 1884 and 1885 for the Cavendish Spinning Company. It ceased spinning cotton in 1934 and was then used for a variety of purposes before it was converted into housing in 1994.

There is no towpath beyond this point as the canal was closed until the turn of the 21st century when the Huddersfield Narrow Canal was restored and re-opened. The canal now passes through a tunnel under the Asda supermarket.

A contribution to Water World Wednesday and ABC Wednesday.

ABC Wednesday: H is for Haughton Green

Haughton Green is an ancient locality in South-east Lancashire. In 1894 it merged with neighbouring Denton.

Originally a rural area, with most of its built up areas along the main roads and in the old village, it became more built up when the Manchester (Beswick) overspill estate was located here in the late 50s behind existing housing on Two Trees Lane. There was also building of new middle class housing in and around the original village at the same time. This increased its size significantly as housing now extended down into the valley and next to wooded areas.

I first posted some photos of Haughton Green here in September 2009.

A contribution to ABC Wednesday and signs, signs.