Three wooden spoons for Wrexham Council in annual Civic Society awards

Wrexham Council has a new collection of wooden spoons following the The Wrexham Area Civic Society awards for 2023.

The group recently held its annual Awards Evening, sponsored by GHP Solicitors, in St. Giles’ Parish Church.

An estimated 85 guests attended, including he Mayor Councillor Andy Williams and the Mayoress, the Leader and Deputy Leader of WCBC, and the Chair of the Wrexham CBC Planning Committee, Cllr. Michael Morris.

Councillor Morris presented the awards, announced by the Society’s Chairman, Geoff Foy.

The intention of the presentation of Society’s annual awards is to encourage high architectural practice in buildings and environmental enhancements within Wrexham County. Poor practice is occasionally shamed!

This year’s AWARD for New Buildings, a recently completed project of notable architectural merit and respect for context was given to the new frontage to Coleg Cambria on Chester Road.

The Society was very impressed by the design of the building, particularly the use of glass, and how it accentuated the sense of arrival at the college.

A COMMENDATION was also awarded to the new Cats Protection building situated on Bradley Road, with its low projection which does not impair the views of the listed Catholic Cathedral.

An AWARD for Conservation of an Existing Building was given to the Hope Street Church.

Well known in Wrexham as the “old Burtons building” on the corner of Hope Street and Town Hill, this has been conserved for use as a church and community centre.

The Society is always encouraging the reuse of redundant buildings rather than demolition, and two such buildings have been reused in Rhosrobin.

An AWARD for Regeneration through Renewal or Replacement of an Existing Building was given for the reuse of the former Olivet Chapel as an art studio.

A COMMENDATION was awarded to the reuse of a redundant building, also in Rhosrobin, as “Wrexham Sounds” studios, where participation of people of all ages, particularly the younger when music teaching is less in schools, is encouraged.

An AWARD for Landscaping or Environmental Improvement was given for the sculpture at the entrance to Wrexham Barracks on Kingsmills Road. This wonderful statue, by Nick Elphick, serves as a tribute to the servicemen and women of the Welsh Regiment, and is prominent on the approach into Wrexham.

Three COMMENDATIONS were awarded in this category. The mural by Chelsea Jackson on Rhos Library wall has enlivened the approach into an otherwise nondescript building.

Two further murals in the lower level of Eagles Meadow car park and brightened an otherwise depressing environment.

The third commendation was for the Community Gardens in Holt, for their imaginative land use and encouragement of community participation in gardening.

The Ruth Howarth Award, which is in memory of a longtime member of the society, is given for a significant contribution to Wrexham’s environment or quality of life, not necessarily a building or landscape.

This year the award was given for the reuse of the Mines Rescue Building on Maesgwyn Road, Wrexham.

The Society decided to make three Wooden Spoon awards this year.

The first is for the apparent lack of maintenance of the former Groves School.

WCBC has a statutory duty to maintain the building in the condition in which it was listed. It is to be hoped that appropriate maintenance is carried out until such time as a reuse is found for the building.

The second is for the demolition of St. James Vicarage in Rhosddu.

This building, constructed in local stone, was apparently demolished without any consideration as to how it may be reconfigured for social uses.

The stone, valuable for possible reuse for maintenance elsewhere, was not even retained, but is now held by the contractor.

The third award was for the land at the corner of St. Giles Way and Bridge Street, derelict now for many years.

It is to be hoped that this eyesore, close to the Parish Church, can soon be somehow sympathetically redeveloped.

We invited comment from Wrexham Council on the range of award wins, as well as an update on the projects mentioned, however there was no response.