Latest News

Point of Ayr Then and Now Open Day

Published: 18/04/2017

A partnership between Flintshire Countryside Service and the Point of Ayr Community Heritage Group is holding an Open Day at Dangerpoint, Station Road, Talacre on Sunday 23 April from 11am-4pm. There will be plenty of activities throughout the day with something for all ages. A Circular Trail, which links Point of Ayr with Talacre, has been developed with the help of funding from the Coastal Communities Fund and the Heritage Lottery Fund. A series of panels along the route and a leaflet explain the history of Point of Ayr Colliery, the last deep-pit in North Wales, and the historic importance of the Dee Estuary for shipping. Pupils from Ysgol Mornant and Ysgol Bryn Garth worked with print maker Ruth Thomas to produce prints of ships, birds and mining that decorate the leaflet and panels. For those who use smartphones, there will be an opportunity to try out the new app we are developing to help visitors explore the area. Cambria Band will perform before the trail is opened and will stay to run music workshops throughout the day. Ruth Thomas will be helping families make prints of feathers and other natural objects. There will also be face-painting and circus skills sessions so plenty to keep the family entertained. We are gathering memories of the pit to be used in a booklet and online and would like former miners and their families to bring along any old photos or other memorabilia and come and see what we have already gathered. We will carefully scan or photograph items on the day so you can be assured they will not be harmed. North Wales Miners Association Trust will be bringing their mobile van with more mining displays and artefacts. The RSPB will be bringing displays and manning the bird hide to help visitors learn more about ecological importance of the estuary, which is internationally important for its birdlife, and to identify the birds that live here. This event is the first of a series that will be funded with our grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund to help raise the awareness of the heritage of the colliery and the surrounding estuary and we hope it will be well attended. For further information, contact the Countryside Service team on 01352 703900 or email countryside@flintshire.gov.uk.