Christmas Quiz 1989—the answers

Sorry for the delay with these answers to the Christmas Quiz 1989. If you first want to see the quiz without the answers, try here.

By now, we’re sure you know why we picked 1989 but just in case, it’s because the media in November was focusing on the significant world events of 20 years ago. 1989 changed the world. Rhuthun was a very different place back then, with no large Co-op, no Tesco, no B & M and with a seven year old Craft Centre, now replaced. It had a new car showroom. The council offices housed a district rather than county council.

Here, then, is this year’s full list of questions plus those answers. Score 1 point for each correctly answered. How well did you do?

1. How many newsagents were there in Rhuthun in 1989, and where were they?
   There were five: Williams, Clwyd Street, now Castle Bell—and extant, the others being extinct; Alridges (Coombes), Upper Clwyd Street; Cronin, Well Street; under the Market Hall (Town Hall), Market Street; and Newyddion Rhuthun News, Well Street. Duke's Stores, Mwrog Street, KwikSave, Station Road, and the Spar, Borthyn also sold newspapers.
2. In 1989, on what site or sites was the Farmers Market?
To the rear (car park) of the Co-op site, off Station Road; and adjacent to Clough & Co, on Market Street car park.
3. In 1989, aside from Bridge Services (Texaco) and Dyffryn Services (Esso), there was a third petrol forecourt. Where was it, what brand of petrol did it sell and why was it unique when compared to the other two?
Slater's sold Jet branded petrol on the Well Street side of their premises. It's unique feature was that it was never self-service.
4. In 1989, aside from recently arrived Kwiksave, what was Rhuthun’s other supermarket and where was it?
This was slightly a trick question. The other store was Warren's Happy Shopper, where the Picture House is. Not strictly a supermarket by today's standards but then again it was too large for a general store.
5. In 1989, where was the public library located and on what days did it open?
In "temporary" buildings adjacent too and in the Gaol site. It opened Mondays to Fridays only.
6. In 1989, what was the name of the bus company providing bus services in and around Rhuthun and what colour were the buses?
Crosville, though score an extra ½ mark if you remembered the buses were branded as Crosville Wales. They were green & white.
7. In 1989, what was the cost of three hours’ worth of car parking generally in Rhuthun, and for 45 minutes’ worth of parking on St Peter’s Square?
All parking was free of charge in 1989.
8. In 1989, who occupied land on the current Park Road car park, next to Bridge Services?
It was the Glyndŵr District Council yard.
9. Through Llanbedr it’s either 30 and 40 mph. Through Rhewl and Llanferres it’s 40 mph. In 1989, what were the speed limits in these three villages?
The national speed limit (60 mph).
10. In 1989, what was the name of the hairdressers now occupied by Oasis, Clwyd Street?
Ruthin Cutters.
11. Name the building society agents in Rhuthun in 1989, and where they were located.
Abbey National (Eifion W Hughes/North Wales Mortgage & Investment Centre); Yorkshire Building Society (Vale Insurance Brokers); West Bromwich Building Society (3, Clwyd Street); Halifax (K Hugh Dodd & Partners, St Peter’s Square (front of shop at that time).
12. In 1989, the owner of First House stationers Well Street used to run which shop, and where?
Manweb, on the upper part of Clwyd Street. This closed in 1996.
13. In 1989, what was the name of the farm supplies shop on Wynnstay Road?
Gwyn S Lewis. Score an extra ½ mark if you remembered the "S".
14. In 1989, what was the name of the famous pizzeria restaurant off Clwyd Street and what group was invariably playing in the background over the speakers?
La Piazza. The Gypsy Kings were often used as background music , which was always slightly ironic, given that they are Spanish, not Italian!
15. In 1989, what time did Slater’s car sales close each weekday evening?
8 p.m. This became 7 p.m. latterly.
16. Name the fruit & veg shops in town in 1989.
Aibee’s, Mwrog Street; Roberts, Well Street; Crown House, Well Street; Williams, Clwyd Street; and Grosvenor, Wynnstay Road. There are none in Rhuthun today.
17. In 1989, where was the Hippo Club and who or what occupied it afterwards?
Upper Clwyd Street. Da Vinci's occupied it afterwards, before moving to above the Castle Mews (where the Chinese restaurant is now).
18. There are currently two Co-ops in the town, including at Llanfwrog. In 1989, how many Co-op stores were there and where was it or were they located?
There was one only—where Creative Image is currently,junction of the Square & Well Street. It was small and more of a general store.
19. In 1989, who was the energetic and forward thinking head teacher who began the transformation of Ysgol Brynhyfryd into the school it is today?
John Ambrose. Remember his glasses?
20. The Rhuthun area off-shoot to the North Wales Hospital closed in 1991 but was still active—just—in 1989. Where was it?
Pool Park Hospital, Llanfwrog, off the Cerrig Road.
21. In 1989, what was the name of the Bolton-based soft drinks distributor with a large slow moving black lorry, and where in Rhuthun were they based?
Cambrian Soft Drinks. In the vicinity of the current Richard Williams.
22. Name each of the hardware shops in the town centre, in 1989, and their locations.
About the House (Well Street, currently Army & Navy);King’s, Well Street(extant);Ruthin Décor (junction Clwyd Street & Upper Clwyd Street, currently Elysium); Shop where Reebee’s Florist currently occupies, Clwyd Street.
23. In 1989, who owned the Ruthin Precast Concrete?
Tarmac.
24. In 1989 on Well Street, Butland’s consumer electrical store had recently changed its name, to what, and what was the name of the buying consortium to which it then belonged? And can you name the former delicatessen on Well Street, roughly opposite the Wynnstay Arms?
Lewis Electrics. They were part of the Tiger consortium. The deli was McGuire's.