Annual Open Day 2017

Big Interest in Deganwy History at 2017 Annual Open Day

The bi-lingual exhibition attracted a steady stream of interested visitors throughout the entire day (Saturday 2 December) – including the Mayor and Mayoress of Conwy Town Council (Cllr Bill Chapman and Mrs Pat Chapman) – to see the four Deganwy themes selected this year and assembled by Committee member Adrian Hughes.

DHG Open Day 2017

‘Youth’ featured old photographs of the local Sea Cadets, the Scout movement, May Queens and school days.

‘Deganwy Personalities’ told the story of landscape artists Joshua Anderson Hague and Frank William Longshaw; Arthur Smith, the hotelier and Freeman of the Borough; and Percy Thompson Dean, Deganwy’s Victoria Cross recipient.

‘Deganwy and the First World War’gave the history of Deganwy camp and associated stories of the village through the years 1914-1919. It included the raising of the ‘Bantam’ battalion of the Royal Welsh Fusiliers and subsequent use of the camp by the Royal Engineers. Also included were ‘Home Front’ topics such as the sphagnum moss collectors, Belgian refugees, German PoWs at Bryn Lupus, the Edward Malam home and the peace celebrations.

‘Deganwy through the Seasons’ showed the village during ‘high days and holidays’ as well as during storms and snow.

DHG Open Day Exhibition

Also on display were local books, maps and photographs from the society’s own archive collection. Visitors were happy to share personal stories about life in the village during their younger days and some brought along photographs for scanning or donating to the archives.

Adding to the occasion was a visit by Santa and refreshments were served through the day.

Santa visits DHG Open Day 2017

The success of the event was measured by a generous sum raised from the raffle and refreshments, as well as attracting three new members.

If you missed it, most of the exhibition will be on display in the foyer of the Welsh Government Building at Sarn Mynach, Llandudno Junction LL31 9RZ from Monday 22 January to Friday 2 February 2018.

Latest Research