Sunny Rhyl poster – Vintage Wales Travel Poster – Septimus Scott – c1955
This old Sunny Rhyl poster takes us back to a typical 1950s British beach scene, something you might have found in many seaside towns across the UK at that time. The artist behind it is Septimus Scott, and he’s captured the essence of a bygone era beautifully, one that resonates with anyone who fondly remembers the classic British seaside holiday.
At the heart of the Wales travel poster, Scott encapsulates the joy and innocence of young child. A toddler, brimming with boundless energy, racing along the sandy shore, clutching a bright red balloon that dances in the sea breeze. The scene is a reminder of the simple pleasures that were once the heart and soul of summer holidays. Not far behind, a spirited little Scottie dog gleefully leaps and bounds, eager to claim the child’s balloon that dangles tantalisingly from the child’s outstretched hand.
The beach in the background is filled with people enjoying their holidays. Respect has to be given to the artist who has realised an image of a busy, but not too crowded seafront. At times, in the 1940s and 1950s holidaymakers at Rhyl would have been packed in like sardines on the beach. Scott depicts families with children and babies sitting and playing on the warm sand. Children chasing each other, playing ball, building sandcastles or eating ice cream in the hot sun. It didn’t seem to matter how hot the weather got Dad’s would still sit in their deckchairs, reading the newspaper in long-sleeved shirts, slacks, hats and even jackets!
At the edge of the beach, high up on the seawall more people are milling about on the promenade and around the grounds of Rhyl’s Grand Pavillion. The ornate Pavillion concert venue was built in just 14 weeks in 1891. The concert hall was built to rival Llandudno’s popular Pier Pavillion. As Scott’s Sunny Rhyl poster shows, the impressive fived-domed structure with its moorish styled architecture looked like an Eastern Palace. The ornate Pavilion Theatre was demolished in 1974.
Another popular and well-known Rhyl landmark that no longer exists also makes an appearance on Scott’s Rhyl travel poster. Just half a mile down the promenade from the Pavilion, Rhyl Pier jutted out over half a mile, across the seaside town’s golden sands and into the waters of the Irish Sea. It was originally built in 1867, and was officially known as Victoria Pier. Over the years, the pier, seemed to be regularly subjected to damage. First by ships in 1883 and 1891. Then by fire in 1901. Storms were responsible for further damage in 1909 in 1913 was closed as unsafe. When Victoria Pier was reopened in 1930 its length had been reduced to just 330 feet. On safety grounds, the pier was closed again in 1966 and was eventually demolished in 1973.
The Great British seaside holiday
This vintage Wales travel poster goes beyond just capturing a moment in time; it encapsulates an entire cultural phenomenon. To truly appreciate its significance, we must step back into the past and understand the context of the 1950s. This was an era when the idea of jetting off to far-flung destinations for holidays was a distant dream for most. In fact, only 2% of the population travelled abroad in 1950. Before the age of budget air travel and package holidays, the British seaside was the holiday destination of choice.
During the summer months, industries and factories across the UK would pause for a couple of weeks, and this collective break became an annual tradition. In places like Crewe, where the railway ‘Works’ stood at the heart of the community, along with iconic names like Rolls Royce Motor Cars and Midland Rollermakers, everyone would down tools and head to the coast by Train. In North Staffordshire, known for its thriving pottery industry, the famous “Potters’ Fortnight” was observed, and pottery manufacturers would temporarily close their doors.
The result? Seaside towns like Rhyl would come alive with holidaymakers, and the beachfront would transform into a hub of activity. Donkey rides, a classic tradition that remains synonymous with British seaside holidays, would offer children thrilling adventures along the shore. The irresistible scent of freshly fried fish and chips would fill the air, competing with the sweet temptation of ice cream, delighting young and old alike.
Amusement arcades, illuminated with neon lights, would beckon with the promise of games and prizes, creating memories that would last a lifetime. And of course, the beach itself became a canvas for the creative endeavors of families, who would sculpt intricate sandcastles that stood as temporary masterpieces against the backdrop of the endless sea.
In essence, this vintage Sunny Rhyl poster is more than just a work of art; it’s a window into a cherished era of British life when the seaside was the ultimate holiday destination. It embodies the spirit of summer, of carefree days spent in the sun, and the enduring magic of simple pleasures and building memories held dear by thousands of people.
