The diary chronicles life in Colwyn Bay and the surrounding areas between 1908 and 1911 from the point of view of a young girl called Miranda Dyson (b. 22 December 1894). She lives with her mother Miranda H. Dyson and father Eli Dyson at Myrtle Dene, Llangwstenin. The 1901 census shows them previously having lived in Oldham with Eli Dyson's occupation that of a Schoolmaster. According to the 1911 census Miranda H. Dyson lived by private means. The diary gives some historical details of the area, describes events, performances and shows she attends in Colwyn Bay, Llandudno, Mochdre and Conwy including May Queen processions (May 4th 1909, Llandudno, Miss Minnie Nixon, May 5th 1909, Miss Gertrude Eva Jones, 1910, Colwyn Bay, Miss Gracie Bryan Jones). She and her family are frequent visitors to the Colwyn Bay Pier Pavilion and the Llandudno Grand Theatre.
Throughout the diary she mentions family, friends, neighbours and acquaintances from the local area. She describes trips to visit relatives in Liverpool and a holiday to London where she experienced the Underground, visited St Paul's Cathedral, The Tower of London and the Franco-British Exhibition of 1908. The diary is full of descriptions re many excursions - Aber Falls, Conwy, Beaumaris, Caernarfon, Dolwyddelan, Snowdon, Moel Siabod, Llyn Cowlyd, Llanrwst, Trefriw, Llyn Crafnant, Llyn Gerionydd, Dinas, Beddgelert, Bethesda, Devil's Kitchen, Llyn Idwal, Devil's Chimney, Llyn Ogwen.
She also mentions trips on the St Tudno, Snowdon, La Marguerite and St Elvies boats to Liverpool and Menai Bridge to and from Llandudno, including one trip (1911) from Liverpool to Llandudno where the weather was so bad most people were sick and the boat was unable to dock at the Pier and had to be re-directed to Bangor. One entry (10th August 1910) mentions Mr Robert Loraine (b.1876 - d.1935), actor - aviator landing at Rhos in a Farman Biplane having taken off from Blackpool. He flew on to Holyhead and made his famous flight from Britain to Ireland in September 1910. On another occasion she describes a Flying Meeting being set up in fields next to Penrhyn Bay. A makeshift aerodrome was specifically erected including hangars. The Colwyn Bay National Eisteddfod is mentioned (14th Sept 1910, 16th Sept 1910). The diary discusses a lengthy Christmas period spent in Blackpool (1910-1911), which describes the Tower and what could be seen within it, including the Ball Room with a huge Christmas tree and a whole range of animals including tigers, lions and a bear, plus monkey, birds and aquatic wildlife. At one point she remarks that the New Brighton Tower can be viewed from Colwyn Bay (2nd July 1911). She also makes reference to the passing of Edward VII, the Coronation of George V, the Investiture of Prince of Wales Edward VIII. The diary ends abruptly mid-entry describing the Investiture of Edward 13 July 1911.
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