Ffrith Beach

Ffrith Beach, Prestatyn, Denbighshire, North Wales (Postal code LL19 7AR) is one of three sandy beaches along the Prestatyn coastline - Barkby Beach, Central Beach and Ffrith Beach. A promenade joins the three beaches, and, at around 4-miles in length, is popular for leisurely strolls and cycling. It has recently been incorporated into the new National Cycle Network. There are spectacular views right along the promenade, extending from the Snowdonian Mountains, the Great Orme of Llandudno and Anglesey to the west, through to The Wirral to the east, and Prestatyn Hillside to the south. On very clear days, glimpses can also be caught of the Isle of Man, the Cumbrian Mountains and Blackpool Tower, while the BHP Billiton Petroleum Douglas oil and gas platform in Liverpool Bay is usually clearly visible [ [http://www.prestatyn.org.uk/beaches/ Virtual Prestatyn: Beaches ] ] .

Early development

Ffrith Beach was first developed, in modern times, in 1935.

"My first memories of the Ffrith beach are of my grandfather who started the fun fair, which had an arcade, bingo and fair ground. There was also two boating ponds,cafe, ice cream kiosks etc. Many good days were spent on the beach, it's a shame that the Ffrith is no longer a family-oriented place to be. Back in my grandfathers day the Ffrith was packed with holiday makers and day tripers, what happened? Later on in the 70s there was a gokart track added, I can't remember who had the gokarts."

A memory of Prestatyn contributed by Barry Howden [ [http://www.francisfrith.com/search/wales/clwyd/ffrith/ffrith.htm Ffrith photos, maps, books, memories - Francis Frith ] ] .

Recent times

In the latter part of the 20th century there was a great deal of controversy surrounding the Ffrith Beach which had remained empty and derelict since 1993 [ [http://www.bbc.co.uk/wales/northeast/sites/prestatyn/pages/ffrith.shtml BBC - North East Wales Prestatyn - Ffrith Beach Festival Gardens ] ] . On 25th October 2006 Denbighshire County Council announced that it is:

"... to start working with a company to regenerate Prestatyn's Ffrith Beach. The Asset Management Committee yesterday (Tuesday) saw presentations from two companies bidding to develop the site. A preferred bidder was chosen, but for commercial reasons cannot yet be named. Cllr Julian Thompson-Hill, Committee Chairman, said: 'Denbighshire is committed to ensuring that the Ffrith is restored as a site which is an attraction to local people and the county as a whole. This is a major step forward and we are looking forward to working with the preferred bidder to make the most of this important asset.' Denbighshire officers will now work with the preferred bidder over the coming months to develop their initial proposals."

However, whilst negotiations were well underway, arsonists set fire to the derelict complex on 1st March 2007 [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/wales/north_east/6411407.stm BBC NEWS | UK | Wales | North East Wales | Blaze at beach garden revamp site ] ] , [ [http://www.rhyljournal.co.uk/news/FFRITH-FIRE-DRAMA--watch.2093165.jp FFRITH FIRE DRAMA - watch our exclusive video report - Rhyl Journal ] ] .

Ffrith Beach Fun Parc

Since September 2007, the Ffrith Beach Fun Parc is being developed on Ffrith Beach with the dunes and its wildlife managed by Denbighshire County Council in conjunction with the developers Ffrith Leisure Ltd. The first new unit to open on Ffrith Beach was La Freccia Ristorante [ [http://www.rhyljournal.co.uk/news/FFRITH-BEACH-BACK-TO-LIFE.3171554.jp FFRITH BEACH BACK TO LIFE - Rhyl Journal ] ] .

In April 2008, some of the rides from Rhyl's closed-down [http://www.conceptnews.org/rhyl Ocean Beach] funfair arrived at Ffrith Beach to be operated in the summer season. These include, The Waltzers, The Spiral Slide, The Pepsi Cola Loop rollercoaster, The Nessi Rollercoaster and the Dodgems. Details and pictures at: [http://www.conceptnews.org/ffrith/ www.conceptnews.org/ffrith] When I visited the site in July 2008, only the Waltzers, The Spiral slide and a few children's rides ad been built up. The remainder of the rides are still stacked up for storage.

References

External links

* [http://www.conceptnews.org/ffrith www.conceptnews.org/ffrith] Pictures of Ffrith Beach in 2008.
* [http://www.bbc.co.uk/wales/northeast/sites/prestatyn/pages/ffrith.shtml Ffrith Beach Festival Gardens] (BBC North East)
* [http://www.attractionsnorthwales.co.uk/attractions/ffrith-beach-fun-parc Ffrith Beach Fun Parc] Featured on attractionsnorthwales.co.uk
* [http://www.goodbeachguide.co.uk/results.php?beachname=FFrith The Good Beach Guide] Featuring Ffrith Beach
* [http://www.rhyl-prestatyn.co.uk/english/index.asp rhyl-prestatyn.co.uk] Rhyl and Prestatyn Beaches
* [http://rdjfl.leaguerepublic.com/ rdjfl.leaguerepublic.com]
* [http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/coastalresorts/ petitions.pm.gov.uk/coastalresorts] A petition to save our traditional coastal resorts and their attractions. Petitiion closes on 4 September 2008.