History of Aberystwyth
1980-2000

Census

Population 8636

January: Cold

Cold spell in mid January, produces heavy drifting show, Aberystwyth cut off - harbour froze over, supplies dropped in by helicopter. First week of college term cancelled.

July 19: Earthquake

Earthquake felt in Aberystwyth at 6.56am Magnitude 5.4, epicentre Lleyn Peninsula

Projecting Telescope

New Camera Obscura opened on Constitution Hill

Aberystwyth Camera Obscura

Alex

Built in 1896, Alexandra Hall is closed down and sold. For 2 decades there were various private attempts to run it as a hostel but mostly it stood empty. After major renovation in 2004/5 the university is again offering it to students via a private partnership.

October 16: Hurricane

Hurricane hits Aberystwyth

Chemistry

University chemistry department closed down

September 29: New Jetty

Opening of the new jetty by the pier

Private Railway

Vale of Rheidol narrow gauge railway privatised

Spring: King's Hall demolished

After years of being unused Neuadd Y Brenin/The King's Hall is demolished. Despite being declared unsafe, it was no push over - and the demolition schedule was drawn out as welders with cutting equipment were called in.

Librarianship Merged

College of Librarianship Wales (opened in 1964) becomes part of the university

May 19: Stone Roses

Stone Roses play at the University

Hall Closed

University's student residence, Padarn Hall, turned into shops and offices.
Built around 1727 as the Gogerddan Arms it has been -> New Black Lion(?) -> by 1835: Lion Royal Hotel -> Padarn Hall.

April 2: Earthquake

Earthquake felt in Aberystwyth at 14.50 Magnitude 5.1, epicentre Bishop's Castle (Shropshire)

National Eisteddfod

National Eisteddfod comes to Aberystwyth

May 31: Queen cancelled

Aberystwyth makes the national headline news when the final 1/3rd of the Queen's visit is abandoned because of egg throwing nationalist students protesting on Pengalis Campus.

Hospital demolished

North Road Hospital closed and demolished

Nov 3: Fire

Fanned by an on shore breeze, a small fire that started in the derelict SeaBank Hotel (on the prom) spread to destroy Plyn' & Caerleon Halls of residence despite the efforts of over 100 fire fighters from as far away as Bangor and Swansea. Both halls have since been completely rebuilt.

Remain after the Plyn - Caerleon- SeaBank Fire
_{Thanks to Mark for allowing me to use the image}