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Wrexham Heritage Strategy 2018 – 2028 Making

Connections

1 1. Introduction heritage services to be transferred away from local authority control. 1.1. Our heritage is a ‘finite and irreplaceable resource’ it represents 1.4. Given this context, this new strategy, the sum of our and our ancestors Making Connections, seeks to promote shared experience; it provides both a a heritage sector in that is sense of self and of , both resilient and sustainable, and understanding it provides lessons for which seeks to effectively utilise the present and for the future. heritage as both a tool for economic Heritage is also a significant economic regeneration and for engagement. driver, in the sector supports close to 40,000 jobs, generates £749m and is twice the size, for example, of 2. Why do we need a Heritage Strategy? the agricultural sector. Heritage in turn is a major factor in the success of North 2.1. Making Connections is essentially Wales as a visitor destination, being about just that. There are a number of judged recently by Lonely Planet as the th bodies, groups, individuals and World’s 4 best place to visit. societies that are passionate about Wrexham’s heritage many are 1.2. ‘Heritage is not just about conserving struggling with a lack of funding; of a the past but also about how it can sectoral sense of direction; perhaps contribute to the future’ – so said even, of ambition. We believe that our Wrexham’s first heritage strategy heritage would benefit from a joined- published in 2005 and it is as true now up approach where groups and as it was then. The first strategy individuals cooperate to achieve established an overall vision to: - common objectives, collectively seek beneficial opportunities and ultimately ‘To enable the full potential of our create a heritage that is not seen as a heritage to flourish, so that it can make liability but as an asset that the whole the maximum possible contribution community can enjoy, as well as and enrich all aspects of life in the provide a significant boost to the County Borough, for the benefit of County Borough’s economy. local residents and visitors alike.’ 2.2. The Well-being of Future Generations Act places a duty on public bodies in 1.3. However, since the last strategy was Wales, including Local Authorities to published, has create a Wales with ‘a vibrant Welsh changed significantly. The economic culture and a thriving Welsh language’ earthquakes have led to the ‘age of and ‘preserving Wales’s historic austerity’ and unprecedented cut backs environmental assets’ is seen as a key in public spending, which have measure of success. The Wrexham impacted on non-statutory services like Heritage Strategy then should be seen heritage. In Wrexham, we have seen as Council’s the closure to the public of museums response to the heritage aspects of this at , Ironworks and ground-breaking Welsh Government Bersham Heritage Centre and even initiative. consideration given to the potential for

2 2.3. At a basic level our aim is for the Wales is still very incomplete. The huge strategy to provide a ‘direction of fortress for Legio XX VV at Chester travel’ for the County Borough’s heritage services for the next decade, but further it aims to provide an aspirational template for the conservation, interpretation and promotion of the wider heritage and as a result more effectively utilise heritage as a driver for economic regeneration. Finally, and perhaps most importantly it aspires to encourage our diverse communities to engage with their heritage and to ensure that the services that promote that engagement are both sustainable casts a long shadow over the Roman and resilient. archaeology of this area, with known

sites at Ffrith (just outside Wrexham 3. The Heritage of the County Borough County Borough), at Holt and at on the eastern edge of Wrexham. 3.1. Wrexham County Borough has New and potentially significant sites evidence of human occupation going are however being uncovered at back to at least the Neolithic period Quarry, near Burton and possibly near (4000 to 2300 BCE), with the recently Holt, which if confirmed would excavated occupation site at Borras significantly change our understanding Quarry on the eastern outskirts of the of this period. town. The Bronze Age (2300 to 800BCE) is primarily attested by a 3.3. In the historic periods, the character of distribution of round barrows or burial mounds mainly in the western uplands of the County Borough but with occasional examples elsewhere. Most notably from this period, a significant corpus of impressive gold work and related artefacts has been discovered in the north of the County Borough. As in other areas of north east Wales the Iron Age (800BCE to 43CE) is represented almost exclusively by hillforts of which the County Borough has notable examples at Bryn Alyn, and Y Gardden, .

3.2. The Roman occupation from 43CE until the 4th century CE has also left its mark, although our understanding of the Roman archaeology of north east

3 this part of Wales is dominated by its 3.6. The coalfield boasted a location on the border with England to the east. The notable presence of both Offa’s and Wat’s dykes crossing the County Borough attest to its disputed status whether Saxon, Welsh or Norman. The archaeology is dominated by defensive sites whether they are castles (notably at Holt, and ); moated sites or dykes: Sesneg having one of the densest concentrations of such sites in the UK. The area also boasts a number of unusually fine churches, many of which benefitted from the patronage of Lady Margaret Beaufort, mother of King Henry VII.

3.4. The planted English borough of Holt number of deep mines together with has probably the most important large the distinctive communities that settlement until the Black Death surrounded them notably at , decimated the local population in the th Llay and to name but a few. 14 Century. Wrexham’s advantageous was the last to close economic position 6 miles from the in 1986 following the end of English border and on the edge of the steelmaking at Shotton steelworks on Welsh uplands soon then took over as the coast. the preeminent settlement with its iconic local markets driving its 3.7. Significant monuments of our industrial economic prosperity. heritage include

and Steelworks, both

3.5. The increased exploitation of the area’s associated with the famous ironmaster coal, iron, lead and clay resources from the 17th century onward led to the development of important regional industries. Most notable was the iron and steel industry, concentrated initially in an area from Bersham to Ruabon in the 17th and 18th centuries, but with later significant works particularly at Brymbo. Lead had been mined at Minera from, at least, the medieval period until the early 20th century and the clay resources within the coal measures were exploited for the important brick, tile and terracotta industry in the Ruabon area.

4 John Wilkinson. has The scheme, administered in Wales by a number of surviving remains most the Museums Archives and Libraries notably at the City Engine House. Coal Division of the Welsh Government mining is best represented at Bersham (MALD) ensures that accredited colliery where the a virtually intact museums achieve nationally agreed pithead survives consisting of a standards in both collection care and headframe, winding engine house and other former colliery buildings, including a bathhouse, now converted into an enterprise centre. There are also important remains at Plas Power, Penrhos and Wynnstay, Ruabon. Last but not least the area boasts the and Canal World Heritage Site which includes one of the UK’s outstanding post-medieval structures: the aqueduct built by Thomas Telford which opened in 1805.

3.8. Sites and monuments though do not exist in isolation and are part of a rich palimpsest of historic landscapes. Whether hilltop or valley, rural or town; all of our landscapes are at least in part historic, sculptured by generations of human activity over successive centuries.

visitor facilities. 3.9. Wrexham has notable examples of

surviving historic landscape in the 4.2. The museum is responsible for form, for example, of the west approximately 30,000 objects in its Wrexham former 17th to 19th century collection. The collections are industrial belt or the Maelor with its predominantly social history based but ridge and furrow and moated sites, with strong areas relating to the areas remnants of late medieval settlement. former major industries particularly

coal; steel; and bricks, tiles & 4. Current Position. terracotta. There is also a growing

archaeological collection including 4.1. Wrexham County Borough Council Brymbo Man an early Bronze Age Heritage Service was established in burial discovered in Brymbo in 1958. 1996 and operates and is responsible With another notable collection for a number of related services, sites relating to Welsh Football. and museums around the County

Borough. The museum service is based at the County Borough Museum in 4.3. The museum has developed an Wrexham which is accredited under excellent reputation for its temporary the Museum Accreditation scheme. exhibition programme many of which

5 have been developed in partnership recent years have led to the closure to with Amgueddfa Cymru National the public of most of these site Museums Wales and the National museums, with Bersham Heritage Library of Wales as well as the British Centre now being used as a collections Museum. The museum has a thriving store. volunteer cohort which undertakes a number of roles for the museum both 4.6. The archive service is also based at the in the galleries and behind the scenes, museum and holds archival collections with some volunteers approaching collected since local government re- donating over 1000 hours of their time. organisation in 1996. The museum organises a number of both formal and informal education 4.7. The protection of the historic built activities, with around 1600 school environment is the responsibility of the children visiting the museum every Conservation Team working as part of year. Annual visitor figures for the the Local Planning Authority. The museum vary between 35 and 50,000 County Borough has a number of listed depending on the exhibition buildings and utilises a Building at Risk programme and the museum has been Survey to promote the conservation of shortlisted for the prestigious ‘Family buildings and structures with most Friendly Museum’ award twice! need. The County Borough Council also has a dedicated annual capital budget 4.4. In 2017 the Welsh Government to fund the conservation of Council announced its intention to commission owned buildings and structures. a feasibility study into a possible Welsh National Football Museum to be 4.8. Other Council departments also have established in North Wales and responsibility for ancient or historic potentially in Wrexham. If the decision monuments located on Council land; is taken to locate the museum in examples include a fine section of Wrexham, such a museum would Offa’s Dyke adjacent to the significantly alter the heritage crematorium at Pentrebychan and the ‘landscape’ of the County Borough. remains of a Bronze Age barrow next There are no National museums in to St. Joseph’s High School in north east Wales and one could expect Wrexham. such a facility to attract in the order of 80 to 100,000 visitors, with a potential 4.9. Cadw, the Welsh Government body catchment covering most of the charged with conserving the nation’s Principality. We currently await the heritage has no guardianship Welsh Governments decision as to monuments within the County whether the museum will go ahead Borough, although they are an and if it does where it will be located. important source of grant aid for

conservation works on scheduled 4.5. The service is also responsible for monuments. Bersham Heritage Centre, Bersham Ironworks, the former Bersham 4.10. The National Trust operates two Colliery, Minera Lead Mines, Penrhos major sites in the County Borough at Engine House, Kings Mill and Holt Erddig Hall, near Wrexham and at . Revenue spending cuts in

6 Castle which between them attract 4.14. The North Wales Discovering Old significant visitor numbers of around Houses Group are a volunteer group 300,000 a year. who research and record old houses and are now operating in north east 4.11. The Powys Archaeological Wales. Trust has undertaken a number of professional excavations across the 5. Strategic Context County Borough in response to development threats; they carry out 5.1. No strategy can exist in isolation; it sits important Cadw funded survey within a framework of other strategies activities, for example, on historic of varying relevance. An landscapes or upland archaeology, and understanding of this strategic context also undertake community-based is important as it demonstrates the activities when the opportunity arises. strategy’s compliance or variance from other bodies’ aspirations and can be 4.12. There are a number of local history utilised, therefore, to attract both societies in the area, some are based in funding and support. a particular locality such as the Brymbo 5.2. We have already seen that the Heritage Group, and some are subject ‘Wellbeing of Future Generations Act’ based, such as the North Wales Mining sets the macro strategic context from Trust Association. Mawr Welsh Government by placing a duty Regeneration Partnership is seeking to on public bodies to create a Wales with become the driver as the legacy for the ‘a vibrant Welsh culture and a thriving Town Heritage Initiative (THI) Welsh language’. At a more local level programme which closed in 2016. The the Wrexham County Borough Council Brymbo Group in particular are – Council Plan 2017 – 2022 focusses on currently engaged in a major HLF 3 main elements; Economy: People & funded project to develop both the Place. Of the priority outcomes listed former steelworks site and the E1 ‘People want to live, work, learn, adjacent fossil forest. visit and invest here’ is particularly

relevant to this strategy as is outcome

4.13. Wrexham Heritage Forum was PE5 – ‘Enabling access to leisure and established as a result of the first cultural activities’. heritage strategy; it acted as an umbrella organisation for all of the

County Borough’s local history 5.3. In 2016 the Welsh Government societies but has recently been published ‘Light Springs through the Dark: incorporated into the North East A Vision for Culture in Wales’. The Wales Heritage Forum. There are a document is a cultural manifesto that number of local history societies encourages Local Authorities to produce throughout the County Borough, many cultural strategies. A Wrexham Council being very active in their communities Cultural statement is in preparation as a

and some as in Llay, and consequence. have even developed small collections and museums of their own. 5.4. The Welsh Government’s ground breaking ‘A Museum Strategy for Wales’ was published in 2010 and

7 covered the period up until 2015. This 5.7. In 2015 the Welsh Government was the first national strategy for the published its Expert Review of Local museum sector in the UK and was Museum Provision in Wales 2015; the organised around three guiding review made a number of far reaching principles: recommendations including on future models of service delivery; the role and  Museums for Everyone: Museums responsibilities of Welsh Government will contribute to living and on collaboration between communities, promote the values of organisations. a fair and just society and provide lifelong learning opportunities for 5.8. In 2016 a Town Centre Master Plan all. was developed for Wrexham which  A Collection for the Nation: sought to provide an evidence base for Museums will hold, care for and the emerging Local Development Plan continue to develop collections for and a framework with which to market the nation which represent our rich the town and encourage investment. and diverse culture; and The plan established a vision  Working Effectively: Museums will “Wrexham will be an attractive, manage their sites, operations, distinctive and accessible 21st century collections and people more town centre where people want to effectively to continue providing live, learn, work, visit and invest.” The services that are relevant, robust plan also includes a number of and sustainable. objectives which are relevant to the Heritage Strategy namely: 5.5. Work is currently underway to create a new strategy which will be published  Improve the identity of the town later in 2018. centre: The town centre needs a unique selling point with a rounded 5.6. In 2014 the Welsh Government mix of attractions to become a published Baroness Andrew’s report strong and attractive destination ‘Culture & Poverty’. The report with a positive identity. Important explored how cultural and heritage elements in achieving this are bodies in Wales could contribute more heritage, local distinctiveness, local effectively to reducing poverty and culture and arts, good design/built raising ambition. The report led to the environment and place making; establishment of the Fusion programme with a number of pioneer  Improve the visitor experience: areas being established (of which Increase the vitality and viability of Wrexham was one) to trial new the town centre through improved approaches to encouraging visitor attractions such as arts and participation and subsequently a new culture, events, leisure, facilities for Welsh Government grant stream, the families and through an attractive, Fusion Challenge Grant has been safe, vibrant, high quality, clean and announced to roll out additional well-maintained environment. projects across the country. 5.9. The Pontcysyllte Aqueduct and Canal World Heritage Site represent one of

8 the triumphs of 18th Century economy which is today worth £116m engineering being inscribed by UNESCO per year to the County Borough – a in 2009. Consultation is currently being growth of over 38% since 2009. There carried out on a new Management has also been a growth in overseas Plan. tourism and an active campaign is in place to promote Wrexham and North East Wales to international visitors 5.10. The Wrexham County Borough entering Wales via Holyhead and the Destination Management Action Plan Port of Liverpool. Research has shown 2018-20 has a number of key aims: that there is a strong interest in heritage-led attractions amongst this  To improve the visitor management audience, therefore, more and wider site development of the opportunities to promote Wrexham’s Pontcysyllte Aqueduct and Canal heritage will present themselves once World Heritage Site by creating the new action plan is implemented. stronger connection s to other heritage assets in the area.  To develop Wrexham Town Centre 5.12. The key aim of the Buildings at Risk as the cultural centre for North Strategy 2012-2016 is to safeguard our Wales, developing and diversifying historic assets from neglect and decay, the retail offer and animating the ensuring that they are fully appreciated town via a unique signature event and cared for today and by future and further accommodation generations. The main strategic development. objectives are:  Developing the existing work to give Wrexham County a ‘strong sense of  To reduce the number of Buildings place’. This will be done by at Risk. businesses celebrating the assets of the area (heritage, food & drink,  To manage Local Authority owned environment and the culture). historic assets to an appropriate  To build on the existing ‘North East standard. Wales and ‘This Is Wrexham’ branding – by developing visitor  To ensure the value of the historic itineraries and welcoming the travel environment is appreciated and trade market. understood.  Greater signage relating to visitor- led products and attractions is 5.13. During its implementation, the required to help the navigation of strategy has seen several historic visitors around the county, linking buildings repaired and brought back these into key itineraries or into use, however, a number of key products (i.e. heritage led features). sites and structures remain either at risk or in a vulnerable condition. A new 5.11. In May 2018, Wrexham County strategy for 2017-2021 is currently Borough approved the new Destination being developed focusing on key Management strategy containing a 3- themes which will align to those of the year action plan. This plan now aims to Heritage Strategy including industrial capitalise on the growth of the tourism heritage and Wrexham Town Centre.

9  People will have learnt about 5.14. In 2011 the Clwydian Range Area of heritage Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB)  Developed skills was extended to cover an area on the  Changed their attitudes and/or west of the County Borough and behaviours including the World Heritage Site itself.  Had an enjoyable experience The AONB Management Plan 2014 –  Volunteered time 2019 includes a number of detailed recommendations covering the historic environment as well as access, recreation and tourism. It also For Communities/Society identifies a number of objectives and  Environmental impacts will be actions by landscape and monument reduced type which are very relevant to the  More people and a wider range of Heritage Strategy. For example, people will have engaged with objective HSA03: ‘Increase the profile heritage of the Historic Environment through  Organisations will be more resilient effective and consistent  Local economies will be boosted interpretation.’ WHS03: ‘Ensure a  Local areas/communities will be consistent to interpretation, signage better places to live, work or visit. and quality of the experience across

partnership authorities.’ 5.16. The HLF are currently reviewing

their funding strategy with a new 5.15. The Heritage Lottery Fund’s (HLF) Strategic Funding Framework launching strategic priorities are outlined in a in early 2019. lasting difference for heritage and People, their strategic framework for 2013 to 2018. The HLF will continue to fund projects ‘that invest in heritage that people value and broadening the range and depth of people’s engagement with heritage’ and which ‘will deliver long term benefits’. The HLF will also provide funding to ‘meet areas of strategic heritage need’. Desired project outcomes are:

For Heritage

 Heritage will be better managed  In better condition  Better interpreted and explained  Identified/recorded

For Individuals:

10 6. A new Wrexham Heritage Strategy immediately and should meet up-to 2018 – 2028 twice a year through the life of the strategy. Membership will be open to 6.1. Vision anyone with an interest, but representation will be sought from ‘To enable the full potential of our WCBC (Heritage, Conservation, heritage to flourish, so that it can Planning, Education and Destination make the maximum possible Management); National Trust; CRT; contribution and enrich all aspects Visit Wales; Cadw; CPAT; Community of life in the County Borough, for the Councils; Church in Wales; Heritage Groups (Brymbo, Holt, Cefn Mawr benefit of local residents and visitors Regeneration Partnership, NWMAT alike.’ etc.) and the North East Wales Heritage Forum.

6.2. Mission Statement 6.6. Recommendation 1: Establish a new coordinating body, ‘The Wrexham Heritage Partnership’ to drive forward ‘This vision will be brought about by the Strategy. better conserving, interpreting and promoting the area’s key heritage 6.7. Identify Conservation Needs. assets.’ 6.8. The conservation and preservation of our surviving heritage assets whether 6.3. Our recommendations fall into six they are ancient monuments, listed areas each with proposals for action. buildings, artefacts, archival or oral The Action Plan at the end of the history must be a basic underlying strategy lays out in more detail what is tenet of any heritage strategy. The needed to make progress in each area conservation and curation of the with an indication of likely timescales. County Borough Museums and Archive collections is detailed in the services 6.4. Improve co-ordination and Collections Management Plan, whilst consultation. the scope of what we collect is detailed in our Acquisition and Disposal Policies which were last agreed by the Council 6.5. There are a diverse range of in 2015 and will be reviewed again organisations and individuals with around 2020. responsibility for the heritage of

Wrexham County Borough. In order for 6.9. In terms of ancient monuments, those this strategy to make a difference we monuments deemed to be of ‘national believe there is a need to establish a importance’ are known as Scheduled new co-ordinating body or partnership Monuments and are the responsibility to identify key developmental needs; of the Welsh Government Historic prioritise actions; to identify funding Environment Service (Cadw). opportunities and to create those vital Approximately 10% of the known linkages that will make the whole monument stock is legally protected in strategy work. We propose that this this way, where under the Historic new partnership be established

11 Environment (Wales) Act 2016 it is an 6.13. Recommendation 2: We propose to offence if any ground disturbance takes undertake an audit of key sites in places within a prescribed legally order to identify and cost their protected area without the consent of conservation needs. Funding will then Welsh Ministers. be applied for to support a rolling programme of work over the life of 6.10. The other 90% of known the strategy. monuments are protected under the planning process. In Wrexham, the Clwyd Powys Archaeological Trust 6.14. Develop linkages between key (CPAT) administers the areas Historic heritage assets. Environment Record (HER), a database of known archaeological sites and 6.15. Heritage sites do not exist in monitors planning applications for isolation but can be linked to related potential conflicts as the archaeological sites by common themes, common curator. HER should be used to support locations, prominent individuals or evidence-based decision making significant events. Although historically relating to the historic environment associated, linked sites can be and guidance on its use has been separated by distance. Making produced by Cadw. If necessary, the connections between such sites, Trust will recommend to the planning therefore, could both promote longer authority that a particular programme dwell times in the area and encourage of archaeological work takes place to additional visits. This would be be funded by the developer which economically beneficial to all could vary between a desk top concerned, especially to related assessment and excavation. This is businesses such as accommodation carried out by independent and catering providers. The archaeological contractors working to a connections created could, for detailed brief prepared by the Trust example, be in the form of trails, itself. promotional literature, websites, ibeacon networks, use of social media 6.11. In the case of Listed Buildings, that and branded road signs. is, buildings deemed by the Welsh Government to be of architectural 6.16. Potential Heritage Hubs and the significance, although under the overall sites within them will be decided by guidance of Cadw, day to day the Partnership but are likely to focus monitoring and control is carried out on Industrial Heritage; Borderlands; by the County Borough Council. Churches; Historic towns and villages and Wrexham Town Centre. 6.12. Grant aid for specific conservation projects is available from Cadw for 6.17. Recommendation 3: Establish of a works on Scheduled Monuments and network of Heritage Hubs and seek from Cadw and the Council for works new and imaginative ways of linking to listed buildings. The Heritage Lottery heritage sites with associated services Fund can also provide grant assistance and businesses. where a project satisfies their strategic objectives (see above).

12 6.18. Identify Key developmental opportunities. 6.24. The brand would then be used in interpretative media; social media; 6.19. In addition to conserving, publications; road signs and would be interpreting and connecting existing an effective way of linking all of the heritage sites, there is the potential for areas heritage attractions under a progressing key developmental single unified banner. opportunities linked to the heritage hub model detailed above. Bold 6.25. However, there is little point in projects will have to be devised to undertaking a branding exercise unless attract attention from both Visit Wales that branding can be effectively and other funding bodies. Heritage utilised. It important, therefore, that hubs will also need to create we both know who our prospective employment opportunities and customers are (whether they be contribute to an outstanding visitor visitors or our local communities) and offer with a regional significance if they we are able to effectively communicate are to be supported or have any with them (in terms of what they want longevity. This is likely to also require a and learn from their experiences of level of match funding and backing visiting our heritage). In terms of from both this heritage strategy and promoting the brand we will also the Destination Management Action require an armoury of effective, Plan if they are to succeed. imaginative and cost-effective methods at our disposal. 6.20. Recommendation 4: Identify and seek funding for key developmental 6.26. Recommendation 5: Develop a opportunities to strengthen the distinct ‘Heritage Brand’ for heritage hubs. Wrexham’s heritage and seek new and imaginative ways that the brand 6.21. To improve the marketing and can be marketed and promoted. promotion of our Heritage

6.22. Throughout the consultation 6.27. Encourage young people to engage regarding this strategy our with their local heritage. correspondents stressed the importance of making linkages 6.28. We are also keen to develop closer between the heritage sites themselves engagement with young people either and with other associated businesses. in formal school-based activities or In order for this to be effective we informal visits and activities. believe that it is essential that a Anecdotally we are aware that distinctive brand be developed to approximately 75% of schools who reflect the area’s unique heritage. engage regularly with Wrexham Museum are within walking distance of 6.23. The brand could include a distinctive the museum. Other schools further logo as well as a prescribed pallet of afield either don’t visit museums or interpretative tools including graphic heritage sites or visit facilities further panel and publication designs, fonts away such as in Chester, Liverpool or and colours. Manchester. One possibility might be

13 for schools to ‘adopt’ a local monument or Heritage Hub; they could then develop learning resources linked to the site(s), produce guided tours for local people and even develop site- based interpretation.

6.29. Recommendation 6: identify key educational opportunities to increase the number of school visits to key heritage assets.

7. Summary of Recommendations:

 WHERIT01: Establish a new coordinating body, ‘The Wrexham Heritage Partnership’ to drive forward the Strategy;

 WHERIT02: Undertake an audit of key monuments in order to identify and cost their conservation needs. Funding will then be applied for to support a rolling programme of work over the life of the strategy;

 WHERIT03: Establish of a network of Heritage Hubs and seek new and imaginative ways of linking heritage sites with associated services and businesses;

 WHERIT04: Identify and seek funding for key developmental opportunities to strengthen the Heritage Hubs;

 WHERIT05: Develop a distinct ‘Heritage Brand’ for Wrexham’s heritage and seek new and imaginative ways that the brand can be marketed and promoted;

 WHERIT06: identify key educational opportunities to increase the number of school visits to key heritage assets.

14 Wrexham Heritage Strategy 2018-2028

Making Connections

Action Plan

Recommendations Actions Why Lead Partners Timescales WHERIT01 Establish a new Establish new Body New body required to WCBC Local History Groups Year 1 coordinating body, identify key CRT ‘The Wrexham developmental needs; National Trust Heritage prioritise actions; identify Cadw Partnership’ to drive funding opportunities and Church in Wales forward the to create vital linkages Community Councils strategy. that will make the whole Destination strategy work. Management AONB Visit Wales NWMAT CPAT WHERIT02 We propose to Funding procured To ensure that the WCBC Local History Groups Within 1 year undertake an audit Audit of conservation physical remains of our CRT Year 2 of key monuments and access carried heritage are conserved National Trust in order to identify out for future generations to Cadw and cost their Rolling programme of enjoy. Church in Wales Year 3 to 10 conservation needs. conservation and Community Councils Funding will then be access works Destination applied for to commissioned Management support a rolling AONB programme of work CPAT over the life of the NWMAT strategy. HLF WHERIT03 Establish of a Linkages formed In order to strengthen the WCBC Local History Groups Over the 10 year network of Heritage between key sites visitor, offer and CRT strategy period Hubs and seek new within each Hub ultimately to increase National Trust and imaginative Joint marketing engagement with Cadw 15 ways of linking campaigns heritage. Church in Wales heritage sites with Themed trails Community Councils associated services developed Destination and businesses. Management AONB Visit Wales NWMAT HLF WHERIT04 Identify and seek Identify key To strengthen the new WCBC Local History Groups Years 1 & 2 funding for key developmental Heritage Hubs by CRT developmental opportunities identifying developmental National Trust opportunities. Seek Funding opportunities. Cadw Years 2 to 3 Institute programme Church in Wales Years 3 to 10 of development Community Councils Destination Management AONB NWMAT Visit Wales CPAT HLF WHERIT05 Develop a distinct Funding sought to Developing a distinct WCBC Local History Groups Year 1 ‘heritage brand’ for develop the new heritage brand will CRT Wrexham’s heritage brand. strengthen the visitor National Trust and seek new and Brand design work offer and drive Cadw Year 2 imaginative ways commissioned engagement. Church in Wales that the brand can Utilisation of brand Community Councils Years 3 to 10 be marketed and Destination promoted. Management AONB NWMAT Visit Wales HLF WHERIT06 Identify key Identify key Increase and improve WCBC Local History Groups Year 1

16 educational education levels of engagement CRT opportunities to opportunities between heritage and National Trust Year 1 & 2 increase the number Seek Funding local schools. Cadw Years 3 to 10 of school visits to Launch initiative Church in Wales key sites. Community Councils Destination Management AONB NWMAT CPAT MALD HLF

17 Making Connections Heritage Strategy Comment Form

FEEDBACK

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Please send your comments to: Steve Grenter, Heritage & Archives Lead, Wrexham Museum, Regent Street, Wrexham, LL11 1RB. If you have any queries please email [email protected].

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