Anglesey Sights

Thomas Telford's suspension bridge spanning the Menai Strait, opened on this day in 1826. Well worth walking across for the lovely views.

Happy Saint Dwynwen's Day. On this day, 25th January, the patron saint of Welsh lovers, who lived at Llanddwyn on Anglesey, is celebrated throughout Wales. Pictured below are the ruins of St. Dwynwen's church and a commemorative cross situated on Llanddwyn island.

I would like to wish all of you who like and follow Anglesey Sights a very happy Christmas and a prosperous and healthy new year. See you all in 2018.

A plaque on the wall of the old school in Marianglas, Anglesey, to commemorate an acclaimed actor from the village, Hugh Griffith. He appeared in many stage productions and films, winning an Academy Award for his role as Sheik Ilderim in the classic movie Ben Hur.

At the beginning of World War Two talk was rife of a German invasion. The south of England was thought of as one of the most probable locations for the invasion but the rest of Britain could not be ruled out. Some of Anglesey's beaches were considered possible places for enemy landings, including Malltraeth estuary. It was therefore decided to place concrete anti-tank blocks at the slipway by Malltraeth bridge to stop the German tanks getting onto the A4080, which ran through the village. The eroded remains of these concrete blocks are still there today.

On 27th October 1959, almost exactly 100 years to the day of the Royal Charter shipwreck, another ship,the MV Hindlea, was swept onto the rocks near Moelfre. The Moelfre lifeboat was called out and rescued all eight of the stricken ship's crew. Pictured is the Hindlea Seat, a memorial on the clifftop near Moelfre.

On 26th October 1859 the Royal Charter was wrecked on the rocks near Moelfre with the loss of over 400 lives and a fortune in gold. She was returning to Liverpool from Australia. Pictured are memorials on the cliff top near where she sank and at Llanallgo church where many of the victims are buried. Others who lost their lives are buried in various other cemeteries in the area.

Anglesey Sights is available for guided tours of Anglesey and Gwynedd throughout the year. You can learn about the varied history of the sacred island of the druids while enjoying its beautiful coastline and countryside. Alternatively you can take a scenic tour of northwest Wales, taking in the stunning mountains of Snowdonia and the lovely coastal views of the Llyn peninsula. Any enquiries please email angleseysights@gmail.com

The renowned engineer, Thomas Telford, was born on this day 260 years ago. Arguably his most famous achievement is the construction of the Menai suspension bridge linking the isle of Anglesey to mainland Wales. He was also responsible for the A5 road across Anglesey, as well as the coaching inn alongside the A5 at Mona. The bridge and the new road completed the route between London and Holyhead, which improved the speed of communications with Dublin.

Lovely stroll over the Menai suspension bridge yesterday

Happy 167th birthday to the Britannia Bridge, which opened on this day in 1850 to carry rail traffic between Anglesey and the mainland. The original tubular bridge was destroyed by fire in 1970, and was rebuilt with a road deck above the rail line.

The Menai suspension bridge opened 30th January 1826. Designed by Thomas Telford, at the time it was the longest suspension bridge in the world, with a deck of 579 feet in length. It is suspended 100 feet above the Menai Strait, the height insisted on by the Admiralty to allow enough clearance for the tall sailing ships to pass underneath.

Rhuddgaer stepping stones, also known as the giant's stepping stones, which cross the Braint river.

Diwrnod Santes Dwynwen hapus. Happy Saint Dwynwen's day.

Merry Christmas and a happy new year everyone, and a big thank you for following my page.