Project type: Urban Parks
Client: Wrexham Borough Council
Background to the project
The Neighbourhood Initiatives Foundation was asked to carry out a community consultation, using "Planning for Real®" on the refurbishment of Ponciau Banks in Rhos as part of a bid for Heritage Lottery Funding. Ponciau Banks is an existing park that was originally developed in the 1930’s and was upgraded in the 1950’s. Over recent years the Park has deteriorated, however it lies at the centre of Rhosllanercrugog and remains a focal point in the community
History of the Park
Throughout the first half of the 19th Century, the site of the existing Park was occupied by mine shafts and small quarries. Mining had taken place in the area for centuries, and Ponciau Banks is known to have been an open wasteland area affected by early mining activities for a long time. Mining continued on the site with new shafts being sunk whilst others became disused and were filled up and fenced off. By the 1860’s however, mining had probably ceased on the site.
During the miners’ strikes in the 1920’s, shafts were sunk by miners in their back gardens and also on Ponciau banks. The pits were generally about 36 feet deep and about 3 x 4 foot square. It is said that winding gear was sometimes constructed from mangle rollers with handles attached and that the women had to keep their mangles under lock and key because they were in such demand. It is understood that these shafts were confined to the higher ground on the western side of the site where the coal was closest to the surface. A newspaper correspondent from the Wrexham Leader described the Banks as being dotted with scores of small pits. Local historians and residents have said that these strikers’ pits were sometimes only 5 to 6 feet apart. The abandoned shafts were often filled with refuse which comprised mainly ashes, glass and tins.
Proposals for the development of a recreation ground on the site were first made in the early 1920’s. Although the idea remained under discussion, progress was not really made until the 1930’s when a chance conversation between 2 local men and a Miss Kitty Lewis about the future of the Park took place. They discussed the idea of involving European students as part of The International Voluntary Society for Peace in realising the vision of the Park. Following meetings with the Parish Council, who had first proposed the idea, the Mineworkers’ Institute was given the go ahead to take the project forward.
Over the Summer of 1932, work progressed on the site with the combined help of local miners and students from abroad. Local families provided accommodation, and many gifts of equipment and materials were made which must have helped to galvanise the community. The development of the Park continued over the next few years including the installation of the bandstand, however it was never provided with a roof although the uprights did exist. one of the highlights for the community around this time was a visit by HRH Edward, Prince of Wales in May 1934.
Work on the Park was curtailed during the Second World War, but a new impetus was provided by the amalgamation of two charitable Trusts - The Rhos Minerworkers’ Institute and the Rhos (Ponkey Banks) Recreation Scheme in 1949.
During the 1950’s, many new features and additions were made to the Park including tennis courts and pavilion, children’s playground, footpaths, an ‘old people’s shelter’, stone tablets commemorating various individuals associated with the Park and new planting.
Recent additions to the Park are the bowling Club and Pavilion, the modified tennis pavilion (now the Grounds Maintenance store), and the BMX track.
Conclusions
- The project was well supported by the local community and the response showed that local people do want to be involved in the refurbishment of the Ponciau Banks
- A keen and enthusiastic Steering Group was formed from local residents and out of this group a Friends of the Park has been forme
- Over 250 local people participated representing all age groups
- Leisure and recreation provision for all ages in the Park are seen as important
- Safety and supervision in the Park are also seen as key factors in the design
- Lighting and CCTV are considered important
- A separate area for youth is needed where they can hang out safely yet not pose a threat to other Park users
- The continued effort to involve young people in the process is vital to the success of the project. On - going contact through the youth worker, schools, youth club and Youth Forum is essential
- Support from Wrexham Borough Council must be given to the newly formed Friends of the Park Group in order that it can grow and develop and a successful partnership be formed between the group and the County Borough. The involvement of the Friends Group will also help to ensure the success of the project by involving the community in the development of the Park
- The Friends of the Park group must be representative of the community and include members from all age groups
- With the development of this group, the Park is likely to attract further sources of funding and become a successful community based project
For more information on this contact NIF on 01952 590777
or email admin@nif.co.uk
