Town & Around O Gwmpas y Dre Spring 2026

It’s hardly a surprise that the announcement of the long-awaited town centre public realm ‘levelling up’ work now starting has been met with a wave of cynicism and gloom. Undoubtedly, this will have a short-term impact on trade in the town. However, several misconceptions need addressing. By the time you read this, we expect the diggers to be out. A new era is on the cusp of unfolding. Works are due to carry on until November 2026, but we anticipate this may well extend into the new year. Should this happen, there will be a break in December for Christmas. The roundabout has emerged as a focal point of contention, even among non-drivers. One particularly peculiar remark came from an individual who condemned the entire plan as not pedestrian-friendly enough, all while bemoaning the removal of the very roundabout!

The roundabout is, without doubt, the most pedestrian- unfriendly feature in the town centre. That vast expanse of grey creates a formidable barrier for those on foot, obstructing their natural desire lines. Drivers approaching the roundabout typically only glance right, neglecting to look left, which endangers pedestrians attempting to cross or already doing so. On the streets (rather than on Facebook) other comments have surfaced, such as ‘They’re taking away parking spaces’. That’s not true. The number of parking spots on and around The Square will remain unchanged. Additionally, blue badge holder parking will now be available, which is currently absent. Importantly, the Town Council is subsidising 30 minutes of free parking in the Square car park for five years and this will approximately double the number of free 30-minute spaces in that vicinity. But allied to this is at least an attempt to prevent vehicles obscuring the east side of the Square and to have footways that can see hospitality trade spill out continental-style. Another concern voiced is that ‘The one-way scheme won’t work’. Mixed reviews, here. While it regrettably will lead to increased traffic speeds along Well Street and upper Market Street, one benefit is the provision of more on-street short-stay parking spaces. This should

help traders on Well Street and The Square. Pedestrians spend money in town. Drivers rat-running through do not. Roads that are easier to cross must be welcomed. As is the space that will make the Festival and Christmas market better. And, who knows, we may yet see more events on the Square as a result.

Squaring the Circle

by Gavin Harris Ruthin Future, also known as Dyfodol Rhuthun, is a sustained place-making and community planning initiative led by Ruthin Town Council, shaping conversations around the town's development for over a decade. This evolving plan is deeply rooted in

community engagement, cultural identity, heritage preservation, and the incremental transformation of the historic market town. Launched in 2011 in response to local aspirations, Ruthin Future serves as a strategic approach to envisioning economic vitality, public spaces, culture,

and community life. Its tagline ’Small Change—Big Difference’ embodies the belief that accumulative smaller improvements can lead to meaningful, sustainable change. Unlike traditional masterplans that outline fixed recommendations, Ruthin Future’s

Ruthin Future: a Long-term Place-making Initiative

Continued on p 8

Will the work will kill the town? ‘The work will kill the town’ is another oft heard comment. The public realm work has the propensity to rejuvenate the town. There will be some short- term pain but the state of Ruthin at present is already not great. Can it get worse? 2025 was fair in terms of seasonal visitors but it’s we residents who need to support local businesses all year round. The fact is that we do not. Pre-covid figures released by the County Council in 2019 when the town was fuller and healthier suggested that only four per cent of Ruthin’s residents were shopping for comparison goods in town. Seven times that number were shopping in Chester and its retail parks. More than twice that number shopped in Mold. The same number of Ruthin residents shopped for comparison goods in Liverpool as in Ruthin. On the other hand, convenience shopping (e.g. grocery) saw 40 per cent of residents shopping in town and its immediate environs. This was before Aldi.

I know what you’re thinking: here we go again. And yes, I must apologise for the repetition, but it’s really more about sheer frustration than anything else. Let’s face it: trying to find out when the Cunning Green will reopen is like trying to get an actual answer from a politician (and I am one of those, too!). I’ve pestered the relevant parties multiple times, but the updates are about as elusive as a decent cup of coffee in a certain national chain locally. According to the County Council, the responsibility for the delay behind this debacle lies with the owners of Ruthin Castle. Apparently, their work isn’t up to snuff yet. But why on earth can’t we impose some actual enforcement to sort this out? The path has been closed for

what feels like an eternity and it’s getting old. So, here’s my battle cry: I urge readers to make representations to the County Council with your concerns about this issue and call for action to be prioritised. We can't simply sit back and play the blame game any longer. The Cunning Green is vital for our community. It’s one of those paths that townsfolk and visitors alike depend on. Ruthin deserves the same care and attention as every other town in the county. ■ When eventually opened, no one can guarantee it will stay that way. We can anticipate further closures as and when other parts of the wall become weak or even collapse, perhaps during some future storms. We now need a town-wide project in order to safeguard the entire length.

From the Chair

The Wimds of Change

Or no change at all. Peter Daniels digs deep and celebrates Ruthin If, like me, you share a love of statistical analysis and spreadsheets, then the perusal of the November 2025 Wales Index of Multiple Deprivation is an absolute must. WIMD is a Welsh government tool designed to measure and understand levels of deprivation across various communities in Wales. It offers a comprehensive analysis of the socio-economic challenges faced by different areas. Its primary purpose, therefore, is in identifying, informing and the monitoring of deprivation and, by extension, informing policy decisions. But the analysis can equally be turned on its head, to look at the least deprived, as well. Ruthin is divided into three ‘lower super output areas’ of similar population sizes. In the 2025 analysis, Ruthin 3 was the least deprived area in all of Denbighshire (read as wealthiest). Ruthin 2 came out 12th of the 58 Denbighshire LSOAs. Ruthin 1 was 36th. Ruthin 1 more or less could be considered nearer the average in Wales. It was actually positioned in the top 40 per cent in Wales. Ruthin 3 is actually 36th out of 1917 LSOAs in the whole of

Wales. On the other hand, Rhyl contained some of Wales’ most deprived areas. The 2025 Wales index of pointed to nine of Rhyl’s 16 LSOAs in the bottom quartile. Six were in the bottom 10 in Wales. Rhyl West no. 2 was the most deprived in all of Wales. In response, a Denbighshire spokesman said that although some neighbourhoods in Rhyl were very deprived, they ‘do not represent Rhyl as a whole’, adding that ‘Rhyl’s regeneration is under way but this long-term vision takes time’. However, figures from the 2008 index of multiple deprivation also put six of Rhyl’s LSOAs in the bottom 10 per cent. Within that bottom 10 per cent in 2008, Rhyl’s LSOAs were ranked at positions 1, 4, 5, 67, 87 and 152. Ruthin has also been consistent. Denbighshire is a somewhat artificial construct and it may be better to consider Ruthin (and Rhyl) alongside others in the north east of Wales. In lumping Denbighshire with Flintshire and Wrexham, Ruthin 3 emerges as 7th out of 234 LSOAs. Above it, no one can touch Marford and Hoseley. Then there’s Borras Park 1, Mold South 2,

Argoed 1, Garden Village, and Rhosnesni 2. Ruthin 2 is at 82. Ruthin 1 weighs is at 116th out of 234, is within the third quartile and again might be considered average for the region. Rhyl, on the other hand, has 10 of its 16 LSOAs in the bottom quartile. Only one reached the top quartile, just squeezing in. Meanwhile, of the villages around Ruthin also score well. Llanbedr DC with Llangynhafal scores 38th; Llanarmon with Llandegla 94th; Llandyrnog 102nd; Llanfair DC with Gwyddelwern 114th; and Efenchchtyd (including Clawddnewydd and Cyffylliog) 131st.

An Apology Please accept the Civic Association’s apologies that this edition doesn’t fill the usual 12 pages. The publication is dependent upon the number of articles and suggestions we receive. On this occasion, we simply do not have enough content to fill all 12 pages. Please consider penning something for us. Contact details on the rear.

It surely cannot be long till the path opens: the Castle Hotel has made good the collapse, even if it hasn’t rebuilt the wall. It requires fencing off

Ruthin Lower super output areas

News of a forthcoming celebratory (or commiserative?) book Many happy returns to Denbighshire County Council as it approaches its 30th anniversary on April 1st, 2026. In celebration, Peter Daniels brings out his fourth book, the proceeds of which when sold during his mayoral year go towards the mayoral charities 2025/26. Titled ‘Long Shadow’, Peter examines the predecessors, the road to reorganisation, Denbighshire’s troubled early history, the stable middle years, and the latter day problems. It looks at successes and the failures. Expect to see sections on the Rhuddlan debt, the volte face of the early 21st century school closures, Clwyd Leisure and, later, the new waste model. Local topics include the Craft Centre, new schools, levelling up, and County Hall. This is not an exposé. But

Denbighshire certainly has had something of a chequered history. Amazingly, in spite of threats by the Welsh Government to redraw the boundary maps, Denbighshire has existed eight years longer than its immediate predecessor, Clwyd. As a conclusion, there is a brief analysis of the authority and its strengths and weaknesses. Due for publication in April 2026, this may only be available as an ebook. If so, it can be ordered on Kindle and read on free Kindle reader apps for iPhones, iPads,and Android phones and tablets, and even for Windows PCs. The publisher Hiraethog Books has to date not made a decision about hard copies. ■ Meanwhile, the author’s ‘21st Century Ruthin’ remains available from Nest, Clwyd Street, or through enquiry via the publisher’s webite at: hwww.hiraethog.co.uk

Happy 30th Birthday

Levelling Update

As we write this, Well Street, the rear of The Old Courthouse and Market Street are about to be ‘levelled up’. By the time this is published, we expect the roundabout to have gone. It won’t be missed by us. The works on Well Street and Market Street will eventually see both as one-way. This will provide additional on-street parking places. Market Street can expect a much more compact ‘feel’ to it that will benefit pedestrians. Meanwhile, works within the front building of the Old Gaol (no. 46 Clwyd Street) is almost concluded. Construction is complete and it is currently being fitted out. We can expect exhibition and interpretation spaces and a café. Cae Ddôl Park Work at Cae Ddôl Park is due to commence this spring. Although some of this will necessarily need to take place during the summer, when residents and visitors will be more active, the ground conditions will be that much better, reducing collateral damage to in the vicinity of the works. Some of the work has to await the conclusion of the rugby season. The work incudes a new active travel route. It was once angular in nature but has been ‘softened’. The facility is being re-routed to avoid the former oak area and will now run near the lake. Where appropriate, this will be on a boardwalk. Also in Cae Ddôl will be a canopy and an nearby events area. The prospect of a much-supported bicycle pump track remains rosy, adjacent to the current skatepark. This will have modular

concrete elements and more traditional blacktop elements. The scheme at Cae Ddôl envisages improvements to the 40-year-old lavatories at Crispin Yard, to include a fully-accessible 24-hour facility to be opened by credit or debit card. We can't ignore fact that over the previous two years Denbighshire has scrutinised whether it can maintain its public conveniences and from time to time it’s bubbled up like a clogged bowl. The good news, however, is that the Town Council has stepped forward to ensure these will continue. There’s the prospect of enabling a seasonal café or kiosk to support the season use of the park and the play area. Natclwyd y Dre Work at Nantclwyd y Dre is currently underway to hitherto undeveloped areas and is expected to conclude in in May 2026.

It includes the expected kitchen/servery and improved volunteer room. The first floor paid-for accommodation will generate income to help sustain the site. Meanwhile, and the summer house. Restoring the original brewhouse is a relatively new element. As the plans evolved owing to the the discovery of unanticipated historical elements during construction, included is a 17th or 18th century brewhouse and unique apotropaic marks. St Peter’s Although the church reopened for services at Christmas 2025, the project wasn’t completed. Most of the remainder will be finished next month but proposed kitchen will necessarily have to follow and may be available in May. The fit and finish in the church is excellent and the space when at last available for community use will be an asset to the town, alongside worship, of course.

How Clean are our Rivers?

Timely news comes from the Town Council and St Peter’s Church regarding the church spire clocks. For the better part of 2025, three of the four clock faces have been out of synch. Only one currently shows the correct time (the least visible of the four). Now, though, the Town Council has agreed to help with the annual cost of maintenance. As a commemoration to those who died in service during the Second World War, St Peter’s Church and the town through subscription raised funding to install a new church spire clock and four clock faces. It opened in 1948. Recognised, therefore, as a war memorial, the Town Council for some years contributed towards the clock’s maintenance. However, all maintenance no matter

how funded, appears to have ceased in 2019 at the installation of the new church bells. For a period, three of the four faces had subsequently displayed an incorrect time. Given its status as a war memorial, there was some doubt locally about the ownership of the clock. In 2026, it was established on the balance of probability that it was owned not by the town but logically by the church. Following constructive bilateral discussions with the Warden of Ruthin, the Town Council has again agreed to assist towards the maintenance of the spire clock following an agreement. The church retains ownership, is responsible for preventative and emergency maintenance but in recognition of the

Clock Watch

Roundabout RIP 1962-2026

memorial the Town Council is pleased in future to contribute a sum to cover the annual or biennial service maintenance (though not exceptional maintenance) and would wish to assist the Diocese of St Asaph towards the competition of any grant funding applications for any future renovations.

The Square’s roundabout has helped define Ruthin for nearly 65 years. Here are some views of it. Clockwise from top left: the roundabout in February 2026; as depicted on a jigsaw produced for Cefi, Well Street; a St David Day’s depiction, with daffodils; on the cover of a 1973 book, showing flowers but also two people crossing the road (using natural desire lines); and in winter.

Last season at Nantclwyd y Dre was particularly strong in terms of visitor numbers. For the late March 2026 opening, the house has undertaken significant changes to its entrance, aiming to create a more family-friendly environment that invites exploration rather than resembling a traditional museum. This transformation seeks to foster a hands- on engagement for visitors, an approach that will be warmly received by families who may have been put off by the more traditional ‘feel’. The back parlour has been

reimagined into the Dyer Gough area, which now includes a smaller kitchen reminiscent of those from World War II. This reconfiguration aims to provide an authentic glimpse at the past, enhancing the educational aspect of the visit. As renovations continue, the rear of the house is expected to be completed by mid-May, although progress has been hindered owing to weather conditions affecting the required lime wash application. While it is possible to force dry the lime wash, this method lacks speed and requires careful application. Looking ahead, Nantclwyd y Dre will

celebrate the 20th anniversary of its opening in 2027, but the focus remains on the forthcoming year, which is set to strengthen its connection with the nearby attractions. The venue is also making efforts to cater to last-minute wedding bookings, providing unique experiences for couples. Furthermore, under the National Garden Scheme, the estate again hosted February snowdrop walks. that attracted 32 participants. Fruit trees planted last year in the Lord’s Garden are expected to flourish, promising a vibrant spectacle for visitors.

Housing Project

Arts and Crafts Movement in Ruthin by Liz Williams Towards the end of the 19th century and the early part of the 20th, the Arts and Crafts movement developed in the UK. It was primarily evident in London and the South of England and, later, filtered into Wales and , in particular, to Ruthin. We are fortunate in Ruthin to have outstanding work from that period in Nantclwyd y Dre, where Samuel Dyer- Gough and his carpenter employees (who had come to work for him) did extensive alterations and restorations. His first mammoth task was uncovering the mostly oak beams, which had all been covered with lath and plaster and then whitewashed. It was while doing that work he found a priests’ hole beneath the floorboards, complete with a letter from the then Pope thanking the residents of Nantclwyd y Dre for giving safety to a priest.

The trend in the Arts and Crafts movement was to value traditional, handcrafted artistry over industrial production. While North Wales was not a major hub for this movement, our area saw various highly-skilled craftsmen making remarkable woodcarving, mainly for churches and chapels, and several rood screens were created and restoration work to existing rood screens was undertaken. Vibrant increase in printing ability took place during this movement and new printing machinery was developed. At this time, Welsh churches saw the influence of the Gothic Revival Style, which would involve a lot of detailed woodcarving and geometric tracery in the Arts and Crafts tradition. The philosophy behind the Arts and Crafts movement lives on in contemporary styles at Ruthin Craft Centre. William Morris (1834-1896) was the most famous artisan craftsman of his time. His was the famous quote, ‘Have

nothing in your house that you do not know to be useful or believe to be beautiful’. These words of his reflect his advocacy for craftsmanship and quality over massed-produced, poorly-made products. Many William Morris-inspired handmade designs were derived from nature and and designed stained glass, textiles, wallpaper and tiles. He wrote about about his ideas: he was a profound social reformer. He aimed to improve working conditions and end industrial exploitation and founded the Socialist League aiming for communal, equitable and beautiful living conditions. Many of William Morris’s inspired handmade designs are a lasting legacy and his patterns are still relevant and are still considered exquisitely beautiful The County House look that modern interior designers use is often the result of William Morris’s creative genius. He believed that art should not be a luxury for the few but a vital part of daily life for everyone.

A Certain Style

Heather Williams looks at a positive story about one of the things that is happening in our lovely community of Ruthin In January, I heard about the possibility that the Ruthin Repair Café had been selected by BBC Breakfast TV to be filmed and broadcast on nationwide TV. Sure enough, at the February Repair Café on February 7th, 2026 the cameras were there to film for a feature that was shown on BBC Breakfast on Tuesday 17th February. When I recently spoke to my sister-in-law in the far north of Scotland, she mentioned she’d seen this item and was very impressed with what was happening here. The idea behind repair cafés is to help the planet, save money and create

connections through skill sharing. The Ruthin Repair Café first started in 2020 and has really taken off since then. The repair cafés normally take place on the first Saturday morning of the month in the Naylor Leyland Centre in Well Street (10am to 1.00pm - last orders 12.30pm). In April 2025, the group celebrated fixing the 1,000th item and the number which has now been processed is over 1,600 items, with a fix rate of 73 per cent. It is now one of the busiest repair cafés of the 143 in Wales, and in February 2026 it was the 52nd café session to be held. The café is run completely by volunteers, who freely give up their time to repair and fix items which include electrical and mechanical items, jewellery, textile repairs, musical instrument adjustments and software support. There is a strong team of other volunteers who greet people to identify

what item they wish the volunteer fixers to look at, and also serve them with drinks and delicious home-made cakes while they wait. Altogether the team of volunteers can be around 20 people! While there is no charge for the repairs, donations are welcomed, which can sometimes be generous, reflecting the value ‘customers’ place on the work that the volunteers do. There is now a limit of two items per customer, which makes it fair to everyone coming. Over the years I have taken items which include an iron flex repair, a jacket zip repair, and a ring adjustment. What struck me was what a lively hub of activity it was, with customers chatting to each other and the volunteers very friendly and engaged making everything run in a smooth and very efficient manner. If you think you might have something, come along to repair café.

Successful Repairs for the Ruthin Community Recognised on TV

— — — — — —— — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — —

Join Ruthin & District Civic Association and help support our work and the production & distribution of Town & Around Annual subscription rates are £10 (individual) or £15 (joint/family). Please delete as appropriate The Association tries to help protect & enhance the outstanding market town of Ruthin and the areas nearby. Our main aims are to promote ‘civic pride’ in the town and surrounding villages. We also aim to promote high standards in planning and encourage architectural excellence. We organise the annual Open Doors heritage weekends and the Quayle Awards. Name (s) _______________________________________________________________________________________________ Address ________________________________________________________________________________________________ Telephone: __________________________ Email: ______________________________________________________________ Cheques payable to ‘Ruthin & District Civic Association. To pay by bank transfer or standing order, request that the Hon. Treasurer contacts you with details of how to do so. Robert Williams, Hon. Treasurer, Lenton House, Mold Road, Ruthin LL15 1SL (tel. 704998 / ruthincivic@btinternet.com)

Heather Williams takes a rare tour around the remains of a building that eventually controlled our education, our highways and our social services here in Ruthin (and well beyond) My husband and I took the opportunity recently to have a tour around the site which became the headquarters of Flintshire County Council and the former Clwyd County Council. The tour was

conducted by Kevin Matthias, former archivist at Clwyd County Council (and later Denbighshire County Council) and Paul Harrison, who has an architectural practice in Mold. We started our visit at Llwynegrin Hall. In 1830, the hall was built as a dowager house for the widowed step- mother of Philip Davies-Cooke (associated with nearby Gwysaney estate). It was built in a Tudor style and at that time was situated in a pleasant countryside estate. The architect was Thomas Jones, County Surveyor for Flintshire County Council, who also designed the old Flintshire County Hall which can still be seen in Chester Street in Mold behind the taxi rank. The family moved out of the property and it was then bought by Henry Cecil Raikes, an MP who became the Deputy

■ 1967: Shire Hall Phase 1 built for former Flintshire County Council. 1972-1974: additional phases added to rear in anticipation of Clwyd County Council ■ 1974: headquarters of Clwyd County Council, where important decisions about highways, education and social services (and much else) were made, affecting Ruthin and district. Denbighshire’s functions migrate to Shire Hall. Relegation of Ruthin’s County Hall to offices of a district council ■ 1996: reorganisation sees new Flintshire rename the building as County Hall. No longer providing services for Ruthin but 44 education and 15 other staff who transferred to Denbighshire continued to be billeted there because there was no offices for them in Denbighshire. ■ 1998: last Denbighshire staff move out, to Denbigh and Ruthin ■ 2020: demolition of Phases three and four ■ 2025: building closed and awaiting demolition

A brutal tale about the cost of

Speaker of the House of Commons. The Raikeses moved out in 1886 and the house went into ruins. In 1908 Hugh Davies-Cooke took over the house again, demolished some of the ruins and extended it with two wings. By 1937, the family had left and the property was divided into two. Flintshire County Council then purchased the Hall and the surrounding land in 1948 for £14,000. It was used for various purposes by the council and was designated a Grade II Listed Building in 1987. Presently it is now used as the registry office for Flintshire, where weddings can take place. In 1954, the council started to consider the need to have new offices in the Llwynegwin Hall area. The first building on the site was the seven- storey block at the front of the site facing Raikes Lane, which opened 1967, and a three storey block with an enclosed landscaped courtyard behind it. Robert Harvey, the Flintshire County Architect was responsible for the design, which was built in a distinctly modern style known as ‘Brutalism’. It was extended in 1972 and with local government reorganisation in 1974 (when it became the headquarters of Clwyd County Council), a further extension with a glazed link bridge was built to additional phases to the rear. Brutalist architecture emerged in the mid-20thCentury as a style characterised by its use of raw concrete, (the French word ‘béton brut’ means raw concrete) with a focus on functionality over decorative elements. The distinctive techniques used for the what till 1996 was Shire Hall were very cutting-edge, with slabs of pre-cast

Brutalism

In preparation for the public realm works ahead of us, the Highways department has resurfaced Wynnstay Road and treated the potholes on Castle Street, above. Castle Street will eventually be resurfaced. And, in February, the contractors undertaking the levelling up works set up a compound in half of Park Road car park, amusingly using a JCB to remove what was an abandoned vehicle. We mention of page 4 changes to the entrance and foyer at Nantclwyd y Dre. For those acquainted with that part of the house, this work in progress will seem very unfamiliar. This winter, Open- reach and its contr- actor have been working on full upgrades throughout parts of the town. For the first time for many, this will give residents

access to full fibre at speeds previously only available in The Old Courthouse (1 Gbps) and relatively cheap prices (£32 pcm is mentioned). Though the trunk cable comes from the telephone exchange on Park Road, the feed is actually off the information super- highway running on the A5 at Corwen.

Seen in Passing…

concrete blocks jacked up into position. The windows were small with precast concrete surrounds on alternate windows, perhaps to give it a more classical attractive appearance, and black tiling which gave it a distinctive look. This gave rise to some people considering that it looked like Legoland! After another local government reorganisation in 1996, it became the headquarters of the new Flintshire County Council again. In a clear break from the past, Flintshire renamed it ‘County Hall’. However, by 2020, Flintshire decided it could not afford to keep the offices open that was said to cost £1.2m a year to run. Later that year, the newer parts of the complex started to be demolished. At the end of February 2025, the Council stopped delivering services from the remaining buildings, which were due for demolition. However, a year on, they are still standing. Maybe it’s because demolishing the buildings will cost a significant amount of money! So what went wrong? The innovative techniques were not always tried and tested. Mechanical ventilation and heating techniques on buildings like this were in their infancy. Over the years, there were lots of problems with thermal expansion, the joint seals, spalling, and concrete cancer. Some windows were not safe to open, stuck or difficult to access. The work involved to address all these issues was significant. Contrast this with what has happened to another building. The style of the County Hall is very similar to the American Embassy in Grosvenor Square in Mayfair, London, that opened in 1960 and was designed by Finnish American modernist Eero Saarenin. Unlike the offices in Mold, it has Grade II listed building status and has recently undergone an extensive 10-year-long architectural restoration by Sir David Chippendale. This has been at a cost of close to £1bn. It reopened in September 2025 as the 5* Chancery Rosewood Hotel, owned by Qatari Diar Europe LLP, with 144 suites which start at £1,400 a night. So this is a tale of what a difference that ownership, money and location can make to the fate of two Brutalist buildings.

Ruthin Future From p1

iterative nature allows for adaptations based on ongoing dialogue with residents and stakeholders. This flexibility has resulted in successive updates to the plan, each reflecting community feedback and priorities. A cornerstone of the initiative is its emphasis on community engagement through ‘Urban Rooms’. These temporary public spaces enable residents to view proposals, share ideas and participate in discussions related to the town’s future. Urban Rooms have been established at various venues, including Ruthin Craft Centre and The Old Courthouse, promoting accessible dialogue. These pop-up events have occurred periodically to engage community members, providing essential input that shapes the ongoing evolution of the plan. Ruthin Future’s framework revolves around people, place, and potential, prioritising themes such as heritage conservation, public spaces, economic sustainability, and connectivity. The initiative informs vital public realm projects aimed at enhancing St Peter’s Square and improving footpath, cycle links, and public spaces. These upgrades will lead to a more vibrant town center, supporting events, café culture, and overall well-being. The initiative acknowledges Ruthin’s rich historic environment and seeks harmonisation between regeneration and heritage preservation. Engaging with buildings like The Old Courthouse, the initiative focuses on creating community hubs within historic spaces. Ongoing community engagement is vital, using public exhibitions, surveys, and events to invite resident to contribute. These inputs are then analysed and

incorporated into evolving plans, with key partnerships involving local businesses, heritage bodies, and community organisations. Ruthin Town Council collaborates with Denbighshire County Council, government programmes, and community groups to secure funding for alignment with the Ruthin Future vision. This collective effort underpins concrete projects that contribute to the initiative’s goals. Ruthin Future exemplifies long-term, community-centered placemaking that balances heritage and sustainability. By embedding engagement at its core and fostering diverse projects, the initiative showcases how co-ordinated actions can transform a more resilient town centre. Ruthin Future 2026: 10 Days of Placemaking, Heritage & Community Engagement The March 2026 programme represents a focused effort to engage the public through exhibitions, workshops, talks, civic events, and themed forums, providing multiple ‘entry points’ for community input. The opening evening on Thursday, March 19th features a Townscape Talk by Dr Elaine Davey discussing the importance of heritage. On Friday 20th, the exhibition opens at The Old Courthouse, accessible daily, showcasing proposals and themes prioritising community feedback. On Saturday 21st, the Ruthin Mini Photo Marathon encourages residents to document the environment through a placemaking lens. The Ruthin Town Council Civic Awards on Monday 23rd recognises local contributions to the community. On Tuesday, 24th, there will be an Events Forum aimed at strengthening the annual events calendar. Then on Thursday 26th, a discussion on Parc Clwyd explores green infrastructure and community well-being. The 10-day programme is structured around five engagement strands, making it easy for residents to participate in discussions and activities. This engagement period offers an excellent opportunity for residents to influence various aspects of Ruthin’s future, ensuring that their voices help shape policy, public spaces, and community life.

Town & Around is published quarterly by the Ruthin & District Civic Association. It is available from Ruthin Library and on townandaround.org.uk. It is delivered free to Civic Association members Editor, Layout & Design: Peter Daniels cymru@clwyd.org Secretary: Heather Williams ruthincivic@btinternet.com We welcome articles, contributions, suggestions and letters in Welsh or English Please send them to the Editor at cymru@clwyd.org or Coedlan, 25 Stryd y Brython, Ruthin, LL15 1JA The deadline for the next edition is May 16th, 2025 Thanks are due to this quarter’s contributors: Peter Daniels, Anne Roberts, Heather Williams and Liz Williams Views expressed by contributors are their own and neither necessarily reflect those of the Civic Association nor those of their employers © March 2026 Ruthin & District Civic Association