The Info Shop is a free and confidential information shop for young people between the ages of 11 and 25. You can find the shop on Lambpit Street in Wrexham and it’s a little haven of information, advice and counselling services.
There are always qualified, understanding members of staff on hand to help with any queries or concerns.The information available for young people can vary from money advice to counselling.
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At some point or another I’m certain we’ve all visited Wrexham library.
Maybe this was recent a visit? Or a visit when you were younger? Whenever this visit was, I’m sure you’d have found yourself sat down enjoying a warm brew in the Library Café.
Whether your library visit would kick-off or wind-down with a detour to the café it was certainly part of the experience!
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If you’ve lived or spent a lot of time in Wrexham, you’ve probably heard a few myths and tales along the way…
We wanted to investigate some of these ‘legends’ to see if there is any factual information behind them.
So, with this in mind, we headed over to the archives search room at Wrexham Museum to see what we could find (it’s brilliant place to visit by the way – find out more on our website)…
Underground tunnels
The first thing we looked into was whether there is any truth to the so-called ‘underground tunnels’ beneath Wrexham town centre.
There’s evidence to suggest that such tunnels exist in some way, particularly around the Butchers market area of High Street. The size of the tunnels and how they link together (if at all) draws the biggest mystery.
As folklore tells us, these tunnels begin somewhere underneath Wrexham Parish Church and run under the town centre. Quite why they were built has been heavily debated…there seems little reason as to why they would exist in this fashion and inconveniently there’s little written evidence to suggest they do.
We checked out half a dozen local history books with little success. Perhaps this is one to come back to another time? 🙂
However, in our research we stumbled upon an interesting tale about a cave that is said to begin at the entrance to Chirk Castle. Well, we say cave…the source describes it as a cave, a mine and a catacomb within three sentences. So take your pick! Anyway, here’s the tale…
The cave was used by Roman miners and runs all the way through to the south of Oswestry. It also has a very sinister reputation.
If you were to be within five paces of its entrance, it’s said you would find yourself drawn inside it and you would become lost in the catacombs forever.
An example of this is a fiddler by the name of Iolo ap Huw, who tried to dispel the myth one Halloween by walking the length of the tombs whilst playing the fiddle…he was never seen alive again!
Another tale is of a fox who being chased by a pack of baying hounds entered the cave to try and escape his predators.
The fox entered the cave, but quickly shot back out, clearly spooked and ran straight into the pack of hounds…but rather than tearing the fox apart, the hounds let it be, as it smelt so strongly of brimstone.
However, it’s up to you whether you choose to believe these tales 😉
Elizabeth the doll
If you’ve ever passed along the A525, Ruthin Road into Wrexham, you may have noticed a large gothic-style cottage.
The cottage in Coedpoeth is a former smithy where the blacksmith would shoe horses whilst their riders visited the pub next door.
Well, for over 30 years a doll named Elizabeth sat, perched in the cottage window. The cottage owner bought Elizabeth for her daughter in 1958 and the doll became a big tourist attraction for a number of years.
Some people would have you believe she was Coedpoeth’s answer to Chucky the doll, but more rational people felt her open arms was her way of saying “Welcome to Wales.”
Elizabeth soon developed a following and along with her Teddy Bear, she started receiving postcards and letters from families who had seen her while driving by. Today, she would have a Twitter feed.
Elizabeth was donated to Wrexham Museum in 2009. She has since featured in a display and appeared online.
The search room
These are just a few of the many tales around Wrexham…if any of these have caught your interest and you would like to find out more, head over to Wrexham Museum. We had a great time rummaging through a very small portion of the local history books available. Jonathon Gammond, Interpretation and Access Officer at Wrexham Museum gives an insight into what else is available:
“There are many more books and articles about the area’s history. Silin’s weekly column in the Wrexham Leader, written in the 1980s and 1990s, highlights often forgotten stories and events, picked up in the archives or chance conversations with locals.
“From there you can go even further back using old newspapers. If you are serious, then the articles in the Denbighshire Historical Society Transactions are a treasure trove of accurate stories about Wrexham’s past. All these sources are accessible for free in the search room on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays each week.”
So there you have it! The friendly staff in the search room are more than happy to assist you…as a starter use Curious Clywd – Books 1 & 2.
There’s a very special military exhibition which opening to the public on Thursday August 23 at Techniquest Glyndwr – in the former TJ Hughes Building.
Put together by RAF historians it gives information about the history of the RAF station that used to be in Wrexham in both World Wars. It also has displays about people from Wrexham who have served in the RAF with distinction.
This will include fighter ace Flight Lieutenant DAvid Lord, who was posthumously awarded a Victoria Cross while flying over Arnhem in 1944, together with others from Wrexham who were important in other famous wartime events ranging from the Great Escape to the famous RAF raid in 1943 on the top secret German rocket base at Peenumunde.
As part of the RAF Historical Exhibition, the RAF will also be bringing colleagues from the National Archives who can help you find out more about relatives who may have served in the RAF over the last 100 years.
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You may want to look out for two very special planes that will be flying over Wrexham this week.
The first, a RAF Hercules, will fly over Wrexham on August 23 to commemorate the unveiling of the RAF Centenary plaque at the RAF memorial garden in Queen’s Square. The event will be attended by the Mayor, RAF personnel and Air Cadets.
You are all invited to this commemorative event which begins at the RAF Memorial Garden on Queen’s Square at 11.30am and finishes at 12.15pm
The Hercules transport aircraft is the backbone of tactical operations since it was brought into service in 1999. The Hercules with its distinctive four propeller engine will grace the town centre skyline at 12 noon. We hope you are able to join us for this special occasion.
And on Saturday, August 25 we’re all in for a further treat when a Dakota, part of the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, takes centre stage when it flies over the town centre at 2.17pm as part of the RAF100 celebrations and the RAF in Wales Freedom of the County Borough.
For us in Wrexham, the Dakota is particularly appropriate as it was the type of plane flown by David Lord, VC, DFC, whose bravery ensured essential supplies were dropped over Arnhem during World War II even though his plane was damaged and burning and he eventually lost his life. His bravery is recognised in a memorial plaque at the Memorial Hall in Bodhyfryd.
You can read more about the RAF100 and Freedom of the County Borough celebration events here:
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Ever thought about how forces personnel feel when they enter civilian life?
Well, there’s a powerful photographic exhibition opening on Saturday at Tŷ Pawb which takes a look at how military personnel do feel when they make that change into civilian life and what changes they have to make to fit in with their new community. The exhibition is part of Wrexham’s commemorations of 100 years of the RAF.
The exhibition gives a good taste of what many have had to go through to make a successful “transition” into civilian life once their service was over either through injury or they had served their time.
The exhibition by photographer Ceridwen Hughes, is based on two years of academic research by Dr Nikki Lloyd-Jones of Wrexham Glyndwr University. The collaboration, which was funded by Forces in Mind Trust, highlights findings from the report ‘Leaving the Armed Forces and living as a civilian’ and reveals the importance of identity for those who transition from the Armed Forces into civilian life.
The images were designed and created after conversations with the ex-Service people and refer to their former and current lives. The aim of the exhibition is to encourage people to want to know more about the experiences of those portrayed. Every image is supported by a written narrative and video interviews.
“Unique experience”
Each person who took part in the photographic project has their own unique experience of transition but one common theme running through all their reflections is the need to develop a shared language with their civilian community.
Ceridwen, explained: “From our conversations with ex-Service people, it became clear that historically people have assumed the responsibility for transition was down to the Ministry of Defence, whereas, this report and the exhibition suggest it should be a shared responsibility with the communities in which they live.
“Dialogue is often around injured and damaged Service people, but the difficulties experienced on transition can often be exacerbated by the lack of understanding of their needs by the very communities they move into. Our aim through this project is to highlight the findings of the research and open up dialogue as to what we can all do to make life easier for those in transition, ” explained Ceridwen Hughes.
“Moving and very informative”
Cllr David Griffiths, Armed Forces Champion, said: “This is a very moving and very informative exhibition and I would like to thank everyone involved in making sure it is shown in Wrexham during the RAF 100 celebrations. I encourage as many people as possible to go and see it and to see what many have gone through to return to civilian life following their years of service to their country.”
There’s lots going on in town on Saturday August 25 so why not make it a day out for the whole family as we celebrate the Freedom of the County Borough for the RAF in Wales and the centenary of the RAF.
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We reported in May about plans to celebrate 100 years of the RAF by awarding the RAF in Wales the Freedom of the County Borough.
Since then work has been going on behind the scenes to bring together an event in the town centre for everyone to enjoy and even the organisers are surprised at just how much will be going on!
The Freedom of the County Borough will be awarded on Wednesday 22 August at a full meeting of the Council. The public celebrations all begin on the Thursday August 23 when an RAF Centenary memorial plaque is unveiled at the RAF memorial garden in Queen’s Square. This will also be marked by a flyover by a Hercules aircraft at 12.00 noon.
The main celebration takes place on the August 25 when the town centre is taken over by free events and entertainment that will appeal to people of all ages and backgrounds.
“Dakota flyover”
The RAF Freedom event celebration itself will take place on Llwyn Isaf and promises to be an extra special affair with an RAF static aircraft taking centre stage on the green surrounded by catering and refreshment facilities, armed forces stalls, a flight simulator, a Spitfire instrument panel, all available to keep everyone amused accompanied by music from the bandstand. A real spectacle for the crowds will be an RAF Muster” by RAF personnel, together with local Air Cadet Squadrons and veterans and the salute will be taken by the Mayor of Wrexham, Cllr Andy Williams. The RAF Muster ceremony will start at 2.25 pm and the highlight of the afternoon will be a flyover by a RAF Dakota at approximately 3.17pm.
“Street Festival joins in with a vintage theme for RAF Celebrations”
At the same time as the Freedom celebrations over on Queen’s Square and surrounding streets there will be lots of fun going on as the August Street Festival takes place. Organisers have worked together to make sure this month it will be complementing the RAF Freedom event with a vintage theme for the whole family to enjoy – there’ll be the usual stalls, entertainers, attractions and of course lots of independent shops and markets to browse through.
“And there’s more….”
There’s also special commemorative exhibitions taking place – one at Techniquest which will be open from Thursday August 23 to show a special RAF Historical Exhibition. This exhibition has been produced by RAF historians and will give displays about the history of the RAF Station that used to be in Wrexham in both World War 1 and 2.
It will also have displays about people from Wrexham who have served in the RAF with distinction – this includes fighter aces from World War 11, Flight Lieutenant David Lord, who was posthumously awarded a Victoria Cross while flying over Arnhem in 1944, together with others from Wrexham who were important in other famous wartime events, ranging from the Great Escape to the famous RAF raid in 1943 on the top secret German rocket base at Peenumunde.
As part of the RAF Historical Exhibition, the RAF will also be bringing colleagues from the National Archives who can help you find out more about relatives who may have served in the RAF over the last 100 years.
Techniquest will also be holding a number of science and technology interactive displays which will be great fun for the young ones – and even those a little older.
“Powerful photos at Tŷ Pawb”
Tŷ Pawb will also be joining in the party with a photographic exhibition called “Equipped for Life which documents in powerful images the struggles faced by forces personnel when they leave the service. There are some powerful images accompanied by some truly inspirational stories and a must for those of us who have never thought about what adjusting to a “normal life” must be like for those who have faced situations and been left with traumas and physical injuries as a result of the service. Tŷ Pawb will also be holding art workshops with a RAF theme.
“Something for everyone”
Armed Forces Champion, Cllr David Griffiths, said: “It is with great pride that we in Wrexham will mark the Freedom of the County Borough for the RAF in Wales and I know everyone will be supportive of the planned events. There’s something for everyone – veterans, serving forces, families, those interested in military history and of course those interested in the arts.
There’s so much going on and many individuals to thank for bringing these events together and I would like to take this opportunity to thank them all for their tireless commitment to ensuring the RAF in Wales are suitably commemorated for their service during this last 100 years.
“Many have proudly served with the RAF”
Air Commodore Adrian Williams said “The RAF in Wales is very pleased to accept the Freedom of the County Borough. It is a huge honour and one which we will always appreciate. I would like to thank everyone involved and also the people of Wrexham, many of whom have joined our ranks throughout the years and proudly served with the RAF, who have been so supportive of this honour. I hope to meet many of you on the 25 August for this special celebration which promises to be a very memorable event.”
You can see more about the Equipped for Life exhibition here
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Wrexham pupils are celebrating today, with the announcement of their A Level results.
Pupils in Wrexham six forms have much to celebrate, with outcomes being broadly similar to last year and a significant increase in the percentage of pupils achieving A* and A grades.
Cllr Phil Wynn, Lead Member for Education, said: “Congratulations are due to all our pupils, who put in no small amount of work in order to achieve these results – they should be proud of themselves.
“Those congratulations should also be extended to teachers, parents, carers and school staff, and I wish all our pupils well as they go on to further education, training or employment.”
Ian Roberts, Wrexham’s Head of Education, said: “There have been many outstanding achievements by students of all abilities, and I would like to thank the schools and their teachers for their commitment and professionalism in supporting the learners – and also the parents for their support.
“I wish all of the learners the very best for the future.”
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UPDATE: The deadline for submissions has now been extended to September 23.
One of the biggest events in the Wrexham arts calendar is on the way.
And the call is out for all artists to get working on their submissions.
The Wrexham Open will come back to Wrexham from October 12 to December 16.
The 2018 exhibition will be hosted between Tŷ Pawb and Undegun, and is backed by a number of organisations – including Wrexham County Borough Council, the THIS Project, East Street Arts and the Arts Council of Wales.
And there’s a range of prizes to be awarded, including the Judges Prize of £1,000; a £1,000 prize for Socially Engaged Practice; the Lens-Based Media prize of £500; the Young Person’s Prize of £500 and the People’s Prize of £250.
Entries will be judged by Thomas Dukes, curator of Open Eye Gallery at Liverpool; Rabab Gazoul, founding co-director of Gentle/Radical, Cardiff; and Simon Job, winner of the 2017 Wrexham Open.
“Very popular event”
Cllr Hugh Jones, Lead Member for Communities, Partnerships, Public Protection and Community Safety, said: “The Wrexham Open is a very popular event in Wrexham’s arts calendar, and I’m very pleased that this year’s Open will be hosted between both Tŷ Pawb and Undegun at the same time.
“The Wrexham Open provides an excellent opportunity for amateur and budding artists to pit their work against that of seasoned professionals, and it’s an excellent showcase of some of the talented artists we have here in Wrexham.”
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The Welsh Government’s School Uniform Grant has been renamed and is now known as the Pupil Development Grant.
For the first time, learners in both Reception and Year 7, who are eligible for free school meals, or are children who are looked after, will fall within scope of the funding.
Unlike the previous school uniform grant, all looked after children in these year groups will be covered, reflecting the particular barriers this group of learners face in terms of their education.
Funding of up to £125 will be available per learner, which is an increase on the previous school uniform grant.
In recognition of the variety of costs parents have when their children start school and to promote a greater uptake of wider activities by our disadvantaged learners, the funding is wide in scope.
This funding will not be limited to supporting the cost of school uniform; it will support greater aspiration, cultural enrichment, well-being and resilience by covering:
School uniform;
School sports kit;
Uniform for wider activities, for example sports, scouts and guides;
School equipment where new curriculum activities begin such as design and technology; and
Equipment for out of school hours trips such as waterproofs for outdoor learning.
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