Happy Talk

Ask anyone in their fifties or sixties visiting Llandudno what their best memories of the place were and you can bet that Happy Valley will be mentioned. Happy Valley - a chunk of wooded hillside tucked into the NE corner of the Great Orme, thus protected from the prevailing wind, once hosted many of the typical seaside attractions we associate with holiday resorts in the UK. In the true sense of the word, it's unique - even now -  although time has erased some of the better features.

But the one thing which most remember Happy Valley for is the Theatre.  For many years - up until the 1960s, in fact - the legendary performer, Alex Munro, hosted a live show in the theatre which stood at the rear of the present cafe. In these days of pre-recorded entertainment, it's hard to imagine the effect of a group of singers and dancers giving their all on an outside stage for the entertainment of the holidaymakers, plus what little they could persuade the visitors to part with.  Even at the height of the season, it was tough going, as the vast majority of the visitors chose not to pay, and sat - instead - on the surrounding hillside, which forms a natural amphitheatre for the stage.

Happy Valley was given to the 'People of LLandudno' back in 1887 by the Mostyn family, and for many years was put to great use.  Although the years have taken their toll, the geophysical shape of the place, which provided such outstanding acoustics, remains, and it's clear that live shows there could not only be recreated, but might well prove extremely popular.   To do that, however, the existing land would have to be returned to the original 'tiered' form, to allow for some form of seating.

This is not an impossible aspiration;  CCBC has, in its wisdom, bulldozed the site, removed the old stage and tiering, and left it as a pale imitation of what it used to be, but this could all be recreated, and without vast expenditure.

Locally, interest in performance art has never been higher, with several groups of performers competing to attract visitors in Llandudno throughout the summer season, an excellent youth theatre, performing courses run by the local schools and the College and Llandudno's own town band.  What all this needs is the will to draw the strands together and surmount the not inconsiderable logistics involved in mounting a weekly or even daily show throughout the season.

On past experience, it's unlikely CCBC will be of any help,and might actually be quite active in hindering, so what's needed is someone with the time and the ability to start the ball rolling.  Any takers?