Groves Protest Ribbons Cut Down By Mystery Men As Further Protest Planned

Ribbons and old school ties placed on railing by the Groves school in protest at plans to demolish the building have been partially cut down today by mystery individuals.

This morning fluro-jacketed men operating from inside the Groves site were spotted cutting off and bagging the ribbons that had been tied to the railings on Saturday.

Wrexham Council’s executive board voted last last week to demolish the historic building on the corner of Powell Road and Chester Road, with protests, petitions and strong words from all quarters not only over the decision but also the decision making process.

Due to a ‘call in’ of the decision a meeting of a Council scrutiny committee will take place on Wednesday at 2.30pm at the Guildhall, where Councillors could vote to recommend that the Executive Board reconsider its decision.

Elaine Guntrip-Thomas, chair of the Save Our Heritage campaign, said: “We hope councillors at this vital scrutiny meeting will do the right thing and reject the demolition plans. They’ve been rushed through without consultation and that has made people very suspicious about the executive board’s motivations. All we ask is that they be honest with us about their intentions and that they do all they can to preserve what many people feel is an important part of this town’s heritage.”

She added: “The council’s executive board has ignored people’s opinions to date but we’re still optimistic that this meeting will force them to reconsider. We’re urging all supporters of the old Groves School building to assemble peacefully with placards and banners outside the Guildhall from 2.15pm onwards so we can attend the meeting and listen to the arguments being put forward. This could be our last chance to make a difference so I’d urge you to come along.”

Local Plaid Cymru candidate for the Welsh Assembly, Carrie Harper, said today: “There is a growing sense that the council’s 10-strong executive board is trying to railroad through an agenda on this and so many other matters that affect this town.”

“The old Groves building is one that demonstrated the ambition and civic pride in our town back in the 1930s and reviving it for use as a building for use in the 21st Century would also demonstrate some ambition and pride in our town. My fear is that we have a council that keeps going for the quick and easy fix rather than considering what’s best for the community.”

The above pictures were taken by Wrexham.com around midday today, with those cutting the ribbons off leaving the site with half a job done. The below picture is from Saturday of the same area of railings to show the number of ribbons and ties removed:

Wrexham.com notes that banners are not often swiftly removed, let alone by mysterious people, with fly posting of various Gym’s and promotions on roundabouts (sometimes blocking visibility) around town being commonplace.  Other such signage often gets left up until there is a complaint or gentle prodding, much like the Wrexham Conservatives effort left hanging over the bypass last year.

Wonder if the gym fly posting roundabouts in Wrexham are aware they could sponsor them direct with @wrexhamcbc https://t.co/vxWPPlz2VT ?

— Wrexham.com (@wrexham) November 9, 2015

Just been up and down the bypass for a ‘review’ & notice that a political party is *still* fly posting Rossett bridge, eh @ConservativeWxm !

— Wrexham.com (@wrexham) June 29, 2015

Wrexham.com asked Wrexham Council this morning if the removal was by Wrexham Council themselves, or if by a third party on what is their land.

As of yet we have had no reply, and will update as and when we get further information to solve the mystery.