Transformative North Wales community projects benefit from significant funding

TRANSFORMATIVE projects benefited from significant funding that will have a positive impact on two Denbighshire communities.

Rhyl and District Rugby Football Club (RFC) and the Ruthin Dendrochronology project were among 14 initiatives to secure financial support from Community Innovation Denbighshire via the UK Community Renewal Fund, matched by Clocaenog Forest Windfarm Fund and led by Cadwyn Clwyd.

The Ruthin scheme will focus on tourism and is a £24,999 project to commission a dendrochronology expert to date the timbers of ancient homes, and for drawings of a selection of buildings and interiors.

Archaeologist Fiona Gale, former conservation architect Carol Smith and historian Gareth Evans joined forces to organise the study – which identifies dates via tree rings – with the view to producing a route for visitors and residents to enjoy.

Carol said: “Ruthin has such an impressive range of old buildings, and this project will allow us to see how medieval and later craftsmen built them and how well they have survived the test of time.”

Gareth added: “This is a ground-breaking project for the area combining conservation technology and interpretation for tourists.

“The work will be developed into visitor literature, possibly as heritage trails and for digital promotion to help market the town – we are thankful to Community Innovation Denbighshire for their support in helping us bring this to reality.”

Meanwhile, at Rhyl and District RFC, their £20,000 scheme enabled board members to commission a feasibility study for an 800 square metre indoor ‘training barn’ with added shower and changing rooms, and subsequent architect’s drawings.

Director Dai Roberts thanked Denbighshire County Council, Cadwyn Clwyd and partner organisations for helping them to realise their vision.

“It’s a big project that will have a huge impact on the club and allow us to train in all weathers,” said Dai.

“We have more than 400 players – including 350 children – but also a lot of charities and third sector partners who use the facilities here so it will be of benefit to them as well.

“We have been on Tynewydd Road now for almost four years and desperately need to extend our footprint as we are having to turn people away and are creaking at the seams.

“This proposal is the perfect answer and allows us to increase our capacity, which will enable us to do even more for our customers and our local community long-term.”

Fellow director David Jones added: “We can now put together a plan, apply for further funding and seek planning permission for the building.

“There are no other facilities like these in the town so it will make a huge difference to our community for many years to come.”