SUMMER is here for Denbighshire group members.
Members of the Cymdeithas Hanes Lleol Llandyrnog & Llangwyfan Local History Society were delighted with the choice of venue for their 2022 summer visit.
Twenty-two members toured around Gwrych Castle, situated between Abergele and Llanddulas.
In June 2018, the castle was purchased by the Gwrych Castle Preservation Trust.
A 10-year programme of works, which will see the castle and outbuildings conserved and restored, is underway.
It will deliver a wealth of educational and training benefits in partnership with local and national organisations.
READ MORE: Green-fingered Llandyrnog and Llangwyfan society members!
Since 2014 there have been 100,000 visitors to the castle and gardens.
Some 5,000 plants have been planted in the castle gardens and parkland, while five acres of historic landscape have been restored and more than 500 people have attended volunteering opportunities and training in the use of traditional building materials and conservation by a dedicated team.
Six new jobs have also been created directly by the trust and 30 local businesses have been employed as contractors since 2014.
Work has begun on restoring several of the outbuildings and carrying out emergency works inside the main house to prevent further collapse.
Tour guide Jackie answered numerous questions posed by members of the society. She also explained how the Rhyl Flats Wind Farm operated by Innogy Renewables UK Ltd has provided financial support for the trust’s projects and staffing and how the contributions, both financial and in terms of awareness and profile raising, that hosting the ITV's “I’m a Celebrity….Get me out of here!” has had an impact on the castle and the work of the trust.
The 20th and the 21st series were filmed in Gwrych Castle, before the programme returns to Australia in 2022.
The next society meeting and AGM will be held on Wednesday, October 19 at Llandyrnog Village Hall (7pm).
The speaker will be society chair, the Ven E Bernard Thomas, who will talk on “Reflections on 50 years of ordained Ministry”.
All are welcome to society meetings, with members paying only £6 for the yearly programme of three meetings.
It is £3 per meeting for non-members.
Light refreshments are served for all at the end of meetings.
For further details, or queries to join the society or volunteer to be part of the projects, contact the society secretary via llangwyfanhistory@hotmail.com
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