Colwyn Bay Jewish Community

At the dawn of war 1938 my father Harry Hymanson packed up his family from Manchester (wife Renee and three daughters) and brought us to live in Old Colwyn. I am almost ashamed to say that we had a very good seven years there. My father had a deep love of Judaism, and we were brought up in that manner. He founded the shul in Colwyn Bay together with others. His business was the Arcadia Cinema. He also opened a kosher Boarding House in Colwyn Bay. It was always full, especially at the weekends when friends and guests would come from Manchester and surrounds.

We had a shochet David Wolfson. Kosher meat would be slaughtered sometimes in our back yard. My father was also very interested in the local people not only of Colwyn and Old Colwyn, but also of our local neighbours.

On a Sunday night he would open the theatre to the Forces, both British and American. It was great fun and a welcome respite for the boys. The shows were a welcome diversion for all who came. They were free of course, just my dad giving back to the Forces. We would invite many for Pesach - soldiers from the (American) army base and some home grown. I was a baby when we went to the Bay and seven years when we came back home.

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