Saving history and building community
Wrexham
Miners
Project
We met John Gallander, the Chair of the trustees of the Wrexham Miners Project in September who sat down with us to share their story and range of events that are catered for the community by their team of volunteers.
The official charity of neighbouring Wrexham AFC, John invited us to attend their annual general meeting in October to get a real sense of what they have achieved over the past, and what they have now planned for the future.
The story of how the Wrexham Miners Project came into being stems from tragedy. The Gresford Colliery Disaster occurred on 22 September 1934 in the Gresford Colliery, located just north of Wrexham, resulting in the deaths of 266 miners. The disaster had a lasting impact on the local community and led to major reforms in mine safety regulations across the UK. To this day, the Gresford mining disaster is still remembered as a tragic event in Welsh history and is commemorated every year at The Wrexham Miners Project.
The Wrexham Miners Project was formed some 10 years ago to create a hub in the community, sited on the original rescuers station for the tragedy. This original site was then repurposed into a miners training station for decades afterwards.
Staffed by a loyal team of volunteers today, some of whom themselves were miners themselves, they have transformed the former derelict site over the past 10 years into a living museum for the former industry that once dominated Wrexham.
We met with some of the founders and members of the team running the project today at a pivotal moment in its history. With grand plans for a major development of the building, funded by a new heritage lottery application – there is much planned for its next chapter. The first phase of this program will be the superintendent house next door, and with the commitment of the team behind the application, the team hope their plans will move forward, with formal applications and searches for additional grants, all aiming to secure the funding required to transform the site into a major destination centre over the coming years.
Offering chargeable tours for visitors who arrive every day from all over the world, and working with some 13 local schools, including the local beavers and scouting associations, they have steadily grown their social channels and community connections to satisfy the demand for the local history.
In turn they now provide valuable community services and spaces for locals, some of whom are direct descendants of those mining families affected by the disaster.
Today the site focuses on community needs, and with increased plans for arts and art festivals, fundraising events and catering for a wide range of diverse audiences, the site has become multi-purpose in nature and offering something for all. Their latest mining village art installation combines everything into one art exhibition.
And with Humphrey Ker as their Patron, the project has also just appointed Mickey Thomas, one of the greatest legendary goal scorers for Wrexham, as their Ambassador, which connects them even more to the club, reinforcing their chances of long-term success.
We have no doubt that the Project will go from strength to strength given their collective passion, commitment and love for the people of Wrexham, and we look forward to updating progress and sharing further updates on their plans and developments in the near future. In the meantime, you can help the work that the whole team are hoping to achieve by donating to them directly using the link below.
