Iconic clock at The Stiwt chimes for first time in over 10 years thanks to local community

A clock in Rhos has chimed for the first time in over a decade thanks to the support of the local community.

A crowdfunding campaign to restore the iconic at The Stiwt – which is home to a 490 seat arch theatre – was launched last year.

Built in 1926 with a £20,000 capital grant from the Miners Welfare Association, the building is seen locally as an iconic building and a symbol of the mining legacy.

Miners of the time contributed 1p per week, many from Hafod Colliery which closed in 1968.

Originally the four-faced clock was hand wound every day. During the Second World War, after the winder climbed into the clock mechanism, he decided to chalk on the clock doors the dates and times of the air raids carried out on Rhos mountain. This unique historical record is still there today.

In 1990 the mechanism was converted to electricity doing away with the need for it to be wound up daily.

These days The Stiwt is home to a 490 seat arch theatre plus three flexible event spaces, built and maintained by and for its local community.

However the chimes hadn’t been heard since 2007 and in a bid return the clock to its former glory members of the community rallied round to surpass the initial £10,000 target to the tune of almost £23,000.

Other organisations also stepped in including Ysgol y Hafod, Ysgol Maes y Mynydd and Ysgol y Grango who raised money in several ways as did the Coop and Friends of the Stiwt.

Funding was also contributed by Wrexham Council and CADW – helping raise £100,000 for renovations of the building.

Once the funds had been raised repairs could begin, with the work undertaken by Phillips and Curry and managed by the Stiwt’s Heritage Consultants, Tim Radcliffe Associates.

Brian Jones, director and trustee at Stiwt Arts, said: “This is a very important building in our community and the restoration of the clock is the first project for us to return the Grade 2 listed building to its former glory.

“We are extremely proud of our achievements so far.”

Cllr David A Bithell local member for Johnstown and member of Rhos Community Council added: “It’s been a great success and fantastic to see how the community can work together.

“Remembering history is very important and we are all pleased that the clock chimes again.