Wrexham County Borough

Coordinates: 53°03′N 3°00′W / 53.05°N 3.00°W / 53.05; -3.00
Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
Wrexham County Borough
Bwrdeistref Sirol Wrecsam (
Cefn Mawr Viaduct (far-right)
  • Tower of St Giles' Church, Wrexham
  • Summit of Y Foel, in the Ceiriog Valley
    • UTC+1 (British Summer Time)
    GSS codeW06000006
    ISO 3166-2GB-WRX
    ITL 3 codeTLL23[ii]
    ONS code00NL
    Websitewww.wrexham.gov.uk

    Wrexham County Borough (

    preserved county of Clwyd
    .

    The county borough has an area of 193 square miles (500 km2) and a population of 136,055. The north of the county borough is relatively urbanised and centred on Wrexham, with a population of 44,785, its

    industrial estate and several outlying villages, such as Brynteg and Gwersyllt. To the north east is the border village of Holt, while to the south of Wrexham, Rhosllanerchrugog, Ruabon, Acrefair and Cefn Mawr are the main urban villages. Further south again is the town of Chirk, near the border with Shropshire, while the Ceiriog Valley to the south-east and English Maelor to the south-west of the county borough are rural. The county borough was historically split between Denbighshire and Flintshire
    , with it all later being part of the county of Clwyd.

    The county borough is flat in the east and hilly in the west. The long

    Clwydian Range and Dee Valley AONB, and includes the Ruabon Moors
    uplands.

    Wrexham includes the remains of two significant medieval castles:

    HMP Berwyn
    .

    History

    Further information: History of Wrexham

    Borough status

    In 1848, concerns over the sanitary conditions, in particular the threat of

    borough council (a corporation) and mayor under the terms of the Municipal Corporations Act 1835.[5][6][7] During incorporation the town was also given a coat of arms.[8]

    Between 1894 and 1974, as part of Denbighshire; the remaining civil parishes surrounding but excluding the town were part of the Wrexham Rural District, civil parishes in the Maelor region were part of the Overton Rural District, renamed Maelor Rural District in 1953. Whereas civil parishes in Chirk and the Ceiriog Valley were from 1894 part of either the Chirk Rural District or Llansillin Rural District, until they were merged into the Ceiriog Rural District in 1935, and abolished in 1974 to become part of Clwyd's Glyndŵr district.[9]

    The Local Government Act 1958 formed the Local Government Commission for Wales tasked to review the potential reform of local government in Wales. In their 1963 report, the commission rejected proposals for the establishment of Wrexham as a county borough.[10]

    Status within Clwyd, then as County Borough

    The borough of Wrexham,

    Hawarden Rural District, Flintshire) and the neighbouring Flintshire exclave of the Maelor Rural District, were abolished in 1974, all being absorbed into the Wrexham Maelor district of the then administrative county of Clwyd.[9][11] Chirk and the Ceiriog Valley were part of the Glyndŵr
    district.

    Clwyd itself was abolished in 1996 as an administrative county, becoming a preserved county for ceremonial lieutenancy purposes.[12]

    Wrexham was established as a

    Llansantffraid Glyn Ceiriog and Ceiriog Ucha from the Glyndŵr district.[8][12]

    Following formation in 1996, there were discussions over the boundary between the newly created principal areas of Denbighshire and Wrexham County Borough, in particular over the lower Dee Valley and Llangollen area. Llangollen, Llangollen Rural and Llantysillio were all considered to potentially all or partly become part of Wrexham County Borough. Referendums were held in the communities, with the community of Llangollen Rural, originally in Denbighshire in 1996, transferred to Wrexham County Borough in 1997 through the enacting of "The Denbighshire and Wrexham (Areas) Order 1996" on 1 April 1997.[13][14][15]

    Referendums by Llangollen Town Council were held in 1993 and 2000, with the latter resulting in a narrow majority of nineteen votes for staying in Denbighshire, and the Welsh Assembly accepting the result by confirming the boundaries in 2002.[16]

    On 1 September 2022, the county borough was awarded city status on behalf of Wrexham's application.[1]

    Geography

    Craig Berwyn
    class=notpageimage|
    Labelled relief map of the county borough
    Main article: List of places in Wrexham County Borough
    See also: List of lakes of Wales § Wrexham

    Wrexham County Borough is a landlocked

    English counties of Cheshire to the east and Shropshire to the south and south-east, and the Welsh counties of Flintshire to the north, Denbighshire to the west, and Powys
    to the south-west.

    Parts of the

    Maesyrchen Mountains, some part of the Clwydian Range and Dee Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty since 2011, border the county borough to its west.[17] To the east across the River Dee, the county borough meets the Cheshire Plain.[18]

    Map of the English Maelor, south-east of Wrexham, in Wrexham County Borough

    The county borough's boundaries can be characterised by two protrusions from the largely contiguous borders surrounding the city of Wrexham, sometimes defined as

    Craig Berwyn, rising 790 metres on the Wrexham-Powys border in the Berwyn range.[citation needed
    ]

    There are two

    SSSIs and SACs.[20]

    The county borough is within the

    preserved county of Clwyd, and between 1974 and 1996 as part of the then administrative county of Clwyd, the present-day county borough was divided into the districts of Wrexham Maelor and Glyndŵr. Before Clwyd's establishment in 1974, the modern-day county borough was part of the historic counties of Denbighshire (spanning most of the modern-day county borough; including Wrexham), and Flintshire (the English Maelor exclave).[citation needed
    ]

    Offa's and Wat's Dyke, and their respective pathways (Offa's Dyke Path,[21] and Wat's Dyke Way)[22] pass through the county borough. Other pathways include the Dee Way Walk,[23] and Maelor Way.[24] The Fenn's, Whixall and Bettisfield Mosses National Nature Reserve is located in the south-east of the county borough along the Wrexham-Shropshire border.[25]

    The county borough is largely urban and industrial surrounding Wrexham, but largely rural for the rest of the county borough, with areas of farmland and rural estates. Woodlands cover 9.4% of the county borough, lower than the national average of 14%.[26]

    The main settlement of the county borough is the city of

    Llansantffraid Glyn Ceiriog, Llanarmon Dyffryn Ceiriog, Bangor-on-Dee and Marchwiel
    .

    Rhosllanerchrugog's built-up area extends to Ruabon, Cefn Mawr and Acrefair, with a total population of 25,362 in 2011.[29]

    There are 69 sq mi (180 km2) of principal rivers in the county borough, including the River Dee, Ceiriog, Alyn and Clywedog, as well as important streams.[20]

    The River Dee is the main river in the county borough, flowing from Denbighshire in the west into the county borough passing

    border between Wales and England. River Alyn, a tributary of the Dee, flows in the north of the county borough.[citation needed
    ]

    Acton Park, Wrexham

    There are

    Overton.[20]

    There is a veteran tree, said to be over 1,000 years old, near Chirk, known as the Oak at the Gate of the Dead.[30] There are also some caves under Esclusham Mountain to the west of the county borough, with caves such as: Ogof Dydd Byraf and Ogof Llyn Parc.

    Country parks

    Main article: Parks and open spaces in Wrexham

    There are eleven urban and country parks in the county borough operated by

    Tŷ Mawr.[26][39][40]

    There are two

    Brynkinalt Park; also known as Chirk Green being council-operated),[41] and at Erddig (National Trust-operated; south of Wrexham).[42][43] Iscoyd Park
    in Maelor Saesneg also boasts some parkland.

    Nant Mill hosts a Visitor Centre on the Clywedog Trail and is surrounded by woodland,[44] whereas Stryt Las Park between Rhos and Johnstown hosts grassland, woodland and ponds.[45] Both are operated by the council.

    Wrexham city has two main city parks,

    Ponciau Banks Park as their urban park.[49][31]

    87% of the population in the county borough is within two miles of the main parks in the county borough.[26][31] The remaining areas are already largely rural, in particular the Ceiriog valley and English Maelor.[31]

    Former Minera Lead Mines, now a country park

    Clywedog Trail spans for 5.5 miles (8.9 km) along the River Clywedog, from the Minera Lead Mines to King's Mills.[50] Offa's Dyke Path passes through the county borough.[51]

    Bonc-yr-Hafod and Stryt Las are both part of the Stryt Las a'r Hafod Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI).[31][52][53]

    Politics and local government

    See also:
    electoral wards
    for the council, with seven having two councillors.

    2022 Wrexham County Borough Council election results, coloured in party colours, by electoral ward.

    The most recent Wrexham County Borough election on 5 May 2022,[55] resulted in independent politicians maintaining their position as the largest group with 23 members but falling short of a majority, leaving the council in no overall control.[56] Since 2017,[57] the principal council has been operated by a coalition of local independents, the "Wrexham Independents" group and the Conservatives.[58] Following the 2022 election, on 11 May 2022, local independents and the separately organised "Wrexham Independents" merged into a 21-member[iii] "Independent Group", and formed a coalition with the Conservatives again for another five-year term.[59] The next election for the council is due for 6 May 2027,[60] as part of the next Welsh local elections.

    Wrexham County Borough Council's Guildhall, Wrexham
    Glyn Ceiriog in the county borough's south-west.

    The county borough was formed on 1 April 1996 following the enactment of the

    Llansantffraid Glyn Ceiriog, and Ceiriog Ucha, and later Llangollen Rural in 1997.[12] Borough status was inherited from the town of Wrexham, which was granted to the then town in September 1857.[8]

    The area includes a portion of the eastern half of the

    Marford and Hoseley
    .

    The county borough is in the

    North Wales Economic Ambition Board,[64] North Wales Police,[65] North Wales Fire and Rescue Service,[66] Tourism Partnership North Wales, and Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board).[67]

    In general elections, the county borough spans two

    Boundary Commission for Wales; the county borough would be served by an expanded "Wrexham" constituency, the north-western parts to be within an expanded Alyn and Deeside (currently wholly in Flintshire), and the Wrexham sections of the Clwyd South constituency transferred to a new "Montgomeryshire and Glyndŵr" constituency shared with parts of Powys.[69]

    Polling done by

    British Monarch, compared to 23% and 21% opposed, and 23% and 25% do not know, in the Wrexham and Clwyd South constituencies respectively.[70]

    In the 2016 National Survey for Wales, only 45.9% of the population agreed or strongly agreed that Wrexham County Borough Council provides quality services, below the Welsh average of 59.3%.[26]

    Local recent political history

    On 23 June 2016 in the 2016 EU referendum, the county borough voted 59% in favour of Leave.[71]

    In the 2019 United Kingdom general election, Conservative candidates won the constituencies of Wrexham and Clwyd South for the first time in their existence.[71][72][73] The constituencies were generally considered to be Labour heartlands part of its "red wall",[74] and were won by Labour in the June 2017 election, as well as previous elections.[75][76][77] In the 2021 Senedd election, Welsh Labour incumbents for the Senedd constituencies of Wrexham and Clwyd South covering the county borough were re-elected.[71][78][79]

    In 2021, the council submitted bids for

    UK City of Culture 2025 on behalf of the county borough although later lost to Bradford, and a separate bid, submitted in December 2021, to award the then town of Wrexham the status of a city for the civic honours awarded for the 2022 Platinum Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II, which it later won.[80] It was the only city bid from Wales, and Wrexham has applied for city status three other times, in 2000, 2002 and 2012, with the 2012 bid lost to St Asaph, Denbighshire.[81] City status was awarded to the "County Borough of Wrexham" on behalf of Wrexham on 1 September 2022.[82] In November 2021, a local consulation survey conducted by Wrexham council, reported that 61% of respondents stated that Wrexham does not "deserve" to be a city.[83]

    In February 2024, a report from

    local development plan.[85] In March 2024, The Municipal Journal, stated that an investigation had begun into an allegation of malfeasance in office by Wrexham councillors, with both North Wales Police and the Welsh Government participating in the case.[86]

    Westminster members

    Constituency Member of UK Parliament Political party First elected
    Clwyd South Simon Baynes Conservative 2019
    Wrexham Sarah Atherton 2019

    Senedd members

    Electoral district Member of the Senedd Political party First elected
    Constituencies
    		 Clwyd South Ken Skates Labour 2011
    Wrexham Lesley Griffiths 2007
    Senedd

    electoral region

    		 North Wales

    Regional members of the Senedd

    		Carolyn Thomas 2021
    Llyr Huws Gruffydd
    		 Plaid Cymru 2011
    Mark Isherwood Conservative 2003
    Sam Rowlands 2021

    Communities

    See also: List of communities in Wales § Wrexham

    Electoral wards

    Main article: List of electoral wards in Wrexham County Borough

    Economy and industry

    The economy of the county borough has changed over the past few decades, from a largely coal-mining focused heavy industrial area, into a high-tech manufacturing, technological and service industry hub.[87]

    The main industry is manufacturing with around 20% (18.3% in 2011 census) of employment in the county borough being in the manufacturing sector.[88] The other largest sectors from the 2011 census include: 15.2% in the Wholesale and retail sector (including vehicle repair), 14.6% health sector, 8.9% education, 6.9% construction, 6.0% government and military, 4.9% accommodation and food service, 4.4% administration and support services, 4.3% transport, 3.9% professional, scientific and technical, 2.8% finance and industry, 1.8% IT and 8% other.[89] When classed together the public sector counts for more than a third of jobs in the county borough.[88] 75% of the total land in the county borough is managed by farmers.[26]

    Brewing

    History

    Original brewery of Wrexham Lager, now an office building inside Wrexham Central Retail Park. It is a Listed building.

    In the 19th century, a brewing industry developed in Wrexham town, alongside the then town's existing leather and coal industry.

    soft water west for lager.[93] Many breweries were also set up in the medieval times in the township of Wrexham Abbot which would have had lower taxes than Wrexham Regis, the areas controlled by the Crown.[93] By the 1860s, there were 19 breweries in the town.[92] Many brewers became leading politicians in the town, with two brewers, Thomas Rowland and Peter Walker disagreeing who should be mayor of Wrexham.[92]

    Carlsberg-Tetley.[99] The original brewery located on top of the Gwenfro was closed by Carlsberg in 2000, with all UK-wide production by Carlsberg of the brand ceasing in 2002. The modern brewery, constructed in the late-20th century, was demolished between 2002 and 2003,[100] and was replaced with Wrexham Central Retail Park. The original brewhouse building on Central Road within the now retail park remains as a Grade II listed building
    .

    Another known brewery formerly operating in Wrexham was Soames's Brewery, and what later became

    Island Green Brewery and Dorsett Owen in 1931.[102][101] It was purchased by Marston's Brewery in 1984 and closed by Marston's six months later despite stating otherwise.[92][101]
    Other former breweries include Albion, Cambrian, Eagle, Island Green, and Willow.

    Present day
    See also:
    Wrexham Lager Brewery

    In 2011, the Wrexham Lager brand was revived, launched in the Buck House Hotel in Bangor-on-Dee,

    microbrewery on St. George's Crescent to the east of Wrexham city centre from the original brewery.[99]

    In recent years, the lager has experienced success, with the lager in 2022 announced it will be sold in Aldi stores across Wales and England.[104]

    As of April 2022, the other microbreweries currently set up in the county borough include: Big Hand Microbrewery (Wrexham Ind. Est.),[105] Magic Dragon Brewery (Plassey),[106] McGivern Ales (Ruabon),[107] and Sandstone Brewery.[108][109]

    Red brick

    Further information: Ruabon § Brick and clay works
    Pen-y-bont, on the site of the former J C Edwards brickworks site, near Cefn Mawr. The building was a showpiece for the company's brickwork.

    Ruabon to the west of the county borough has a deep history in

    Hafod Colliery in 1878, and a "Red Works" in 1893.[110][113] The bricks contributed to the term "redbrick" in the term "Red brick university". Brick production largely ceased in the 1970s, with production mainly focused on quarry tiles.[110]

    Former mining

    See also: North Wales Coalfield and Denbighshire Coalfield

    In 1854, there were 26

    Hafod (now Bonc-yr-Hafod park), Bersham, Wynnstay, Wrexham and Acton, Llay Hall and Gatewen commencing operations.[114] By the 20th century, two deep coal pits were dug, one at Gresford opening in 1911,[8] and another at Llay Main.[114] In 1934, a colliery disaster in Gresford killed 261 miners, with 3 rescuers also killed in the rescue operations. In the late 20th century, the traditional industries of Wrexham, in particular coal-mining, went into decline. Llay Main closed in 1966, Hafod closed in 1968, Gresford Colliery closed in 1973, and Bersham Colliery closed in 1986.[8][114]

    Industrial estate

    Main article: Wrexham Industrial Estate

    There are 25 different industrial and business parks in the county borough,

    finance, automotive, engineering, pharmaceutical, aerospace, and food and beverage.[26] The Oxford–AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine was manufactured at the Wockhardt UK facility in the industrial estate.[119]

    Category C adult-male prison is located in the industrial estate, and opened in 2017.[120] It is the largest prison in the United Kingdom.[121] In Chirk, there is a Kronospan wood product production factory[122] and a Mondelez International (for Cadbury) factory.[123] Whereas at Llay, there is Magellan Aerospace[124] and a regional divisional HQ for North Wales Police.[125]

    Retail

    Wrexham Butcher's Market from Wrexham High Street
    M&S and Tenpin
    .

    Wrexham serves as the main retail centre for the county borough. Its city centre, hosts

    shopping centre,[126][127] two markets (General and Butcher's),[128] Tŷ Pawb (former People's Market),[129] Island Green retail park, and a High Street.[96] A Monday market is held in the city on Queen's Square.[128]

    Notable retail areas outside the city centre are: Plas Coch retail park and Gwersyllt retail park. The county borough is also connected to shopping destinations in Chester, Broughton and Liverpool.

    Sport

    Wrexham County Borough Museum, the proposed home of the Football Museum for Wales

    Wrexham is regarded as the "spiritual home of Welsh football",

    association football club in the World, Wrexham A.F.C., which play in the oldest stadium in Wales. The Football Association of Wales was founded on 2 February 1876 at the Wynnstay Arms Hotel in Wrexham.[135] The first association football match in Wales is said to be in or near Wrexham.[136][137]

    Notable stadia in the county borough include the Racecourse Ground, the oldest in Wales; The Rock; and an athletics stadium at Queensway.

    Football

    See also: Wrexham A.F.C.
    The Racecourse Ground, home of Wrexham A.F.C., in 2007

    The county borough is home to

    Women's team. The team's rivalry with Chester City F.C. (now Chester F.C.) is described as the "Cross-border derby". In 1869, another football team composed of footballers from Ruabon, was formed in Plas Madoc, later becoming the Cefn Druids following a merger.[136][137][141]

    As of March 2022[update], aside from Wrexham A.F.C., all other teams in the county borough play in the Welsh football league system:

    Rugby

    See also: Wrexham RFC

    Wrexham RFC is a Welsh rugby union team based in Wrexham; it is a member of the Welsh Rugby Union and was a founding club of the North Wales Rugby Union, itself founded in Wrexham in 1931.[148] The club is located to the east of Rhosnesni, Wrexham.

    Between 2010 and 2021, the North Wales Crusaders were based in Wrexham; firstly at the Racecourse Ground, then at the Queensway Stadium in Caia Park, Wrexham.[149]

    Horse racing

    Aerial view of Bangor-on-Dee racecourse (dark green patch), surrounded by the meandering River Dee

    Bangor-on-Dee racecourse is located in Bangor-on-Dee, and has held horse racing events since February 1859. It is the only racecourse in North and Mid Wales.[150][151] Prior to being a football stadium and home to Wrexham A.F.C., the Racecourse Ground once held horse racing events as part of the Wrexham Gold Cup and the Silver Cavalry Cup, with the first held on 29 September 1807.[152] Horse racing ended at the Racecourse Ground in 1857.[47][152]

    Transport

    Wrexham County Borough's transport system is part of Transport for Wales' North Wales Metro bus and rail improvement programme.[153]

    Air

    There are no airports in the county borough; the nearest are at:

    Manchester Airport and Liverpool South Parkway
    stations.

    In 1950, Wrexham (specifically Plas Coch) was a stop in the world's first scheduled helicopter passenger service between Liverpool and Cardiff by British European Airways.[154][155] The service ceased in March 1951 due to low demand.[154][155]

    Railways

    Wrexham General, the main railway station in the county borough

    The county borough contains two railway lines:[156]

    The two railway lines interchange at Wrexham General, the main and busiest station in the county borough.[161]

    There are two proposed railway stations in the county borough: Wrexham North and Wrexham South;[162][163][164] with plans to reopen parts of the Glyn Valley Tramway as a heritage railway.[26][165]

    Two former major railway branches were:

    Roads

    The A483 southwards in Esclusham

    The main roads in the county borough are

    Trunk roads are managed by the North and Mid Wales Trunk Road Agent on behalf of the Welsh Government.[167] There are no motorways in the county borough.

    Buses

    An Arriva Sapphire service in 2013

    Wrexham bus station serves as the main terminus of the county borough. Services are operated by various bus operators such as Arriva Buses Wales, Arriva Midlands, TrawsCymru, Stagecoach North West, Llew Jones Coaches, Lloyds Coaches, M&H Coaches, Pat's Coaches, Tanat Valley Coaches and Valentine Travel.[168]

    Popular bus services in the county borough include:

    Former tramways

    Main article: Wrexham and District Electric Tramways

    There was an electric tramway between 1903 and 1927, connecting Wrexham to Rhosllanerchrugog, operated by

    motor buses in 1937.[47][154][169]

    Demography

    Population pyramid of Wrexham borough in 2020

    At the 2021 census,[iv] the county borough recorded a population of 135,100, and is the tenth most populous principal area in Wales, the same rank as 2011.[170][171] This population is a small increase of 0.2% from the 2011 census and lower than the national average of a 1.4% increase in population in 2021. The county borough is ranked thirteenth in population growth among principal areas, with both Denbighshire (2.2%) and Flintshire (1.6%) growing faster, although Powys also increased by 0.2%, and Conwy (also in ceremonial Clwyd) shrunk by 0.4%.[171]

    The city of Wrexham had a population of 44,785, in the 2021 census,

    Wrexham built-up area (BUA) was considered to also include western urban villages such as Gwersyllt, Brymbo and New Broughton, as well as Bradley and Rhostyllen, with a total population of 65,692 (2011 census), 48% of the county borough in 2011.[173] In the 2021 census, these new separate built-up areas are Bradley (1,315), Brynteg (9,225), Gwersyllt (7,110) and Rhostyllen (2,760).[27] There is also the BUAs of Coedpoeth (4,740), Gresford (4,945) and Llay (4,665) in the north to north-west of the county borough.[27] The other largest settlement is Rhosllanerchrugog with a community population of 9,694 in 2011[174] while its 2021 built-up area was 12,785 residents.[27] Other southern 2021 built-up areas include Acrefair and Cefn Mawr (6,905), Ruabon (3,410), and Trevor (1,395).[27] Holt's BUA had 1,085 residents in 2021, while the community of Chirk had a population of 4,468 in 2011,[175] and its 2021 built-up area population was 3,935.[27]

    The county borough has 1,300 more females than males, with 68,200 females (50%) to 66,900 males (50%).[170] The county borough is twelfth in population density of the principal areas of Wales, with 268 people per square kilometre, more than the national average of 150. The most populous five-year age group are those aged 50–54 with 10,100 people (7%).[170] With a 19.5% growth in those aged 65 years and over, a decrease of 3.9% aged 15–64, and a decrease of 3.6% of children under 15 years old. In a 2020 population projection, Wrexham County Borough's population is expected to shrink slightly by 2028.[176]

    The average age in the county borough is 42 years, with more than 25% of the population being in the 45 to 64 age cohort in 2011.[88]

    At the 2011 census, 96.9% of the population was recorded to be White, made of 93.1% English/Welsh/Scottish/Northern Irish/ British, 0.4% Irish and 3.4% other White. The next largest eithnic group in 2011 was Asian/Asian British at 1.7%, with 0.6% identifying as Indian. 0.5% of the 2011 population were Black, and 0.2% other ethnic.[89]

    93.7% of the population was born in the United Kingdom, 69.2% from Wales, 23.4% from England, 0.8% from Scotland, and 0.3% from Northern Ireland. 0.3% from the Republic of Ireland, 3.4 from the European Union (excluding Ireland), and 2.6% from other countries. 71.2% held a

    EU member passport, and 1.2% other.[89]

    95.8% of the population over 16 had

    Hindu and 0.6% other. 27.4% had no religion, and 7.5% religion not stated.[89]

    66% of waste is either recycled, reused or composted in the county borough between 2018 and 2019, 3% higher than the Welsh average.[177]

    In 2011, 94.7% of the population identified with a UK nation identity consisting of either a Welsh/English/Scottish/Northern Irish or British identity, with 60.3% having part or full Welsh identity. 0.4% had a mixed identity between Welsh/English/Scottish/Northern Irish/British and another identity. 3.4% of the population had other non-UK identities.[26]

    Some of the top 10% deprived areas in Wales are located in the county borough, these five Lower Super Output Areas (LSOAs) are; Queensway 1, Wynnstay, Plas Madoc, Queensway 2 and Cartrefle 2.[26]

    Welsh-language

    Valley in Ceiriog Ucha.

    Only 12.2% of Wrexham County Borough's population at the 2021 census could speak

    anglophone.[178] At the previous census in 2011, the percentage in Wrexham County Borough was 12.9%.[179] The highest proportion of Welsh-language speakers in the county borough is in the rural Ceiriog Valley ward, where 31.2% can speak the Welsh language. The ward of Wynnstay in Wrexham has the lowest proportion of Welsh-language speakers with 7.7%. Therefore, Welsh is more likely to be spoken in more rural areas of the county borough.[26]

    Wrexham council have a "poor performance" in providing services in the Welsh language, due to the prevalence of translation errors. There were 34 public complaints put to the council between April 2018 to March 2019,[180] to the Welsh Language Commissioner.[181]

    Health

    Health in the county borough has been managed since 2009 by the NHS Wales local health board, Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board which covers all of North Wales.[182][183] Prior to Betsi Cadwaladr LHB, there was a separate Wrexham LHB and the North East Wales NHS Trust[184] based at Wrexham Maelor Hospital.

    As of March 2017, the life expectancy in the county borough is 65 years for both Males and Females.[26]

    Wrexham has increasing levels of child poverty.[185]

    Wrexham Maelor Hospital

    Hospitals

    Main article: Wrexham Maelor Hospital

    The main general hospital in the county borough is

    fundraised by the local population from 1918 to 1927, to commemorate those killed in the war.[188] The hospital closed in 1986, and now serves as part of Yale College (now part of Coleg Cambria).[47]

    Education

    Higher and further education

    Wrexham University, formerly the North East Wales Institute of Higher Education (NEWI).

    The county borough houses one university, which is located in the city of Wrexham, Wrexham University, and was awarded university status in 2008 as Glyndŵr University.[189] Bangor University has a healthcare school near Wrexham Maelor Hospital.[190] The main further education provider in the county borough is Coleg Cambria,[191] formed in 2013 from the merger of Yale College, Wrexham and Deeside College in Flintshire. Coleg Cambria also provides some higher education, and has two main sites in Wrexham, at Yale Grove Road in the city centre, and Bersham Road to the south-west of the city centre in Offa.[191]

    Yale Bersham Road campus
    Yale Grove Road campus
    Campuses of Coleg Cambria (Yale College, Wrexham prior to 2013) in Wrexham. Bersham Road campus (left), Yale Grove Road (right).

    Schools

    Main article:
    List of schools in Wrexham

    There are a total of 68

    special school of St Christophers in Wrexham.[193] For the 2015/2016 school year eight of the fifty-nine primary schools at the time were Welsh-medium or bilingual.[26]

    In 2019, secondary schools in Wrexham were criticised by

    reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete have been indentified in local school buildings.[196]

    Twinning

    Wrexham County Borough is twinned with the German district of Märkischer Kreis[95] and the Polish town of Racibórz.[47][197]

    The first twinning was established on 17 March 1970 between the former Kreis Iserlohn and Wrexham Rural District.[198] Its early success ensured that, after local government reorganisation in both countries in the mid-seventies, the twinning was taken over by the new councils of Märkischer Kreis and Wrexham Maelor Borough Council and, in 1996, by Wrexham County Borough Council.

    In 2001 Märkischer Kreis entered a twinning arrangement with Racibórz, a county in Poland, which was formerly part of Silesia, Germany. In September 2002, a delegation from Racibórz visited Wrexham and began discussions about cooperation which led to the signing of the Articles of Twinning between Wrexham and Racibórz in March 2004. The Wrexham area has strong historical links with Poland. Following World War II, many service personnel from the Free Polish armed forces who had been injured received treatment at Penley Polish Hospital. Many of their descendants remain in the area.

    Culture and tourism

    An Overton Yew Tree, one of the Seven Wonders of Wales

    In 2015, it is estimated the county borough attracted 1.86 million visitors, and brought in more than £100 million for the tourism industry.[26][96]

    Three of the

    Wrexham Archives, in the Wrexham County Borough Museum
    , Wrexham.

    The 2011 National Eisteddfod of Wales, held on the Lower Berse Farm, Offa, Wrexham (near Bersham), with the Maes in the background.

    Since 1876, the county borough has hosted the National Eisteddfod of Wales eight times, six hosted in or near Wrexham in 1876 [cy],[200] 1888 [cy], 1912 [cy], 1933 [cy], 1977 [cy] and 2011 [cy]; with Rhosllanerchrugog hosting in 1945 [cy] and 1961 [cy].[201] Also held in 1876, was the Wrexham Art & Industry Exhibition.[47][117] The first Wrexham Science Festival was held in 1998.[8]

    Focus Wales, an international new music festival is hosted in the city of Wrexham.[202] Tŷ Pawb, an art and cultural centre in the city plays host to many cultural events and exhibitions.[96][203] Wales Comic Con was founded in 2007 and its first event held in Wrexham in 2008, prior to the moving of its events to Telford in 2019 (as Wales Comic Con: Telford Takeover) due to the small venue at Wrexham's university.[204]

    There are two public market halls in Wrexham city centre, the Butcher's Market and General Market.[128] A third, People's Market, was converted to the Tŷ Pawb cultural centre in 2018. A weekly Monday market is held in Queen's Square in Wrexham.[128]

    Tourism accounts for £116 million and 1,600 jobs for the county borough, increasing 38% between 2012 and 2017.[205]

    In 2020, a science discovery centre known as "Xplore!" opened in Wrexham city centre, succeeding the Techniquest centre at Glyndŵr University.[206]

    There are adventure playgrounds at The Venture in Caia Park and The Land in Plas Madoc.

    The oldest surviving engine house in Wales is present at Penrhos near Brymbo.[207]

    In October 2021, the council's bid for UK City of Culture in 2025 made it onto the competition's shortlist of only 8 shortlisted places in the UK, outbidding 12 other places (20 applied in total) and being the only one of the five bids from Wales making it onto the shortlist. In March 2022, Wrexham County Borough's bid for City of Culture made onto the competition's shortlist of only four places, the only non-English bid.[208][209] On 31 May 2022, Wrexham lost to Bradford's bid.[210]

    Public art and symbols

    Acton Dog sculpture outside Wrexham County Borough Museum.
    See also: List of public art in Wrexham County Borough

    Notable buildings and structures such as St Giles' Church, Chirk Castle and Pontcysyllte Aqueduct also act as symbols for the county borough.

    The "Acton Dog" has become a symbol of Wrexham city, inspired by the four

    colliery wheel as a welcome sign, highlighting the areas coal-mining industry heritage.[212]

    Colliery wheel welcome village sign for Rhiwabon (Ruabon)
    Colliery wheel welcome village sign for Black Park (near Chirk)
    Colliery wheel welcome signs in Rhiwabon (Ruabon; left) and Black Park near Chirk
    (right).

    "

    Beaulieu Motor Museum,[215]
    until the completion of the Pendine Sands of Speed Museum.

    Waking the Dragon was a proposed bronze sculpture to be built near Chirk, it was first proposed in 2010,[216] and granted permission in 2011,[217] with progress stalling by 2016 due to a lack of funding.[218]

    Castles

    Chirk Castle

    Chirk Castle is located to the south of the county borough,[219] and there are notable remains of a medieval castle in Holt in the county borough's north-east.[220][221] There was historically a motte and bailey castle at The Rofft site in Marford, and another former motte and bailey castle known as "Wristlesham" in Erddig.

    Chirk Castle, a

    AONB, which extends to the Chirk Castle Estate.[17]

    Holt Castle is located in the village of Holt, along the banks of the River Dee next to the English border.[220][221] It was built between 1283 and 1311 by Earls of Surrey, John de Warenne and his grandson, following Llywelyn ap Gruffudd, the Prince of Wales' defeat.[220][221]

    Churches

    Main article: List of churches in Wrexham County Borough

    The three of the Seven Wonders of Wales present in the county borough are all or part of churches. St Giles' Parish Church is a 16th-century gothic church located in the historic centre of Wrexham.[222] All Saints' Church, sometimes described as the "perfect Cheshire church in Wales", is a late-15th century church in Gresford,[223] and in Overton-on-Dee, there is St Mary the Virgin Church, with its ring of Yew Trees being one of the seven wonders of Wales.[224]

    seat of the Bishop of Wrexham, and mother church of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Wrexham since 1987.[225][226] The cathedral also hosts a chapel dedicated to Richard Gwyn, a martyr who died in Wrexham.[227] Remaining Catholic churches are part of the Wrexham Deanery
    . Other major churches include St Mary's Church in Ruabon, and St Chad's Church in Holt, the latter having English Civil War bullet holes present in the building.[227]

    Tower of St Mary's Church, Overton-on-Dee

    Country estates and halls

    The most notable country estate is at

    country house is surrounded by a 1,900-acre (7.7 km2) estate, including parkland and woodlands.[228]

    Another historic estate is the Wynnstay estate near Ruabon. Notably the home of the Williams-Wynn family, the Wynnstay Hall stands above the River Dee overlooking the Vale of Llangollen and Y Berwyn.[229] The family vacated the building in 1948, with it first turned into a school, and now houses and apartments.[47][230] Trevalyn Hall, a Grade II listed manor house in Rossett, has also been converted to separate homes in the 1984.[231]

    cricket ground and pavilion, which serves as the home for the Marchwiel and Wrexham Cricket Club, on the only open part of the estate to the public. The hall has been on sale for £2.5 million.[232]

    Brynkinalt Hall is a Grade-II* listed private property, built in 1612, near Chirk
    .

    Iscoyd Park located near the border with Shropshire to the east in English Maelor, serves as a wedding venue.[233]

    Pen-y-Lan Hall, another Grade II listed building, located near Ruabon, has become known for Ghost sightings, with Ghost hunting events held at the hall.[234]

    Other halls include: Nant-y-Ffrith Hall, Tudor Court, The Gelli, Wynn Hall and the former Brymbo Hall, a lost British country house.

    Erddig Hall

    Scheduled monuments

    Main article:
    List of scheduled monuments in Wrexham

    Notable people

    Main page: Category:People from Wrexham County Borough

    Tourist attractions

    Industrial heritage

    Bersham
    Main articles: Bersham Ironworks and Bersham Colliery
    Former Bersham Ironworks

    Bersham Colliery was opened in 1864, as the Glan-yr-afon Colliery, located near Rhostyllen. It was operated by the Bersham Coal Company, and it was not until 10 years later in 1874 that coal was produced at the site. The colliery was closed and partially demolished in December 1986. Its No.2 shaft headgear with its colliery wheel and an engine house with an electric winding gear, as well as other buildings remain standing as part of a small industrial estate. The buildings for the No.2 shaft have been proposed to form a small mining museum for the former colliery.[235]

    Smelting works was opened in Brymbo in 1793.[227][240]

    Bersham Heritage Centre, in the Bersham Ironworks, operated from 1983 until 2014, and was the home for the Wrexham County Borough Museum's Industrial History collection, and performed as the centre of Wrexham's Industrial Heritage.[8][237][241]

    Brymbo
    The Arc (Welsh: Y Bwa) sculpture on Lord Street, Wrexham city centre

    Steel was a former industry for the county borough, with the Brymbo Steelworks reaching its peak in steel production in the 1960s and early 1970s. Over 2,000 workers were employed at the steelworks until its closure in 1990. There is a sculpted archway, "the arc", in Lord Street, Wrexham to commemorate the industry.[227] In 2020, the site of the former steelworks were proposed to be re-developed into a visitor attraction and community hub with funding from the National Lottery.[242]

    Minera

    Lead Mines in Minera, opened in 1845, mining lead until its closure in 1914. The site has since been converted into a country park, covering 53 acres (0.21 km2) of grassland, woodland and the former lead mines, it also hosts a tourist centre.[37][243]

    Notable sites and bridges

    Chirk Aqueduct, facing south towards England, with the viaduct on the right.

    There are various

    Cefn Mawr Viaduct.[248] There is also a canal tunnel at Chirk.[245][249]

    The main canal is the Llangollen Canal from Llangollen which travels to Chirk before entering England.[250] Sections of the historically proposed and never completed Ellesmere Canal were proposed to pass right through the centre of the county borough, from Chester in the north to meet the River Ceiriog at Chirk until reaching Ellesmere.[251]

    Notable bridges include:

    Bangor-on-Dee Bridge[253] and Holt Bridge.[254]

    World Heritage Site

    See also: Pontcysyllte Aqueduct
    Pontcysyllte Aqueduct

    There is a

    Early Carboniferous fossils[257] said to be, by locals, a potential world heritage site.[259]

    Media

    Heart North and Mid Wales[262] and some broadcasts of Capital Cymru[263] from their studios in Gwersyllt, Wrexham, the former studios of the Marcher Radio Group
    .

    BBC Cymru Wales has a local radio station in Wrexham for some local broadcasts.[264][265]

    The Leader is the local newspaper in Wrexham.[266] There is also a local media website known as Wrexham.com.[267]

    Music

    Performance stage at Theatr Stiwt, Rhosllanerchrugog

    Theatr Stiwt (Stiwt Theatre) in Rhosllanerchrugog, with 450 seats, opened in 1926, and hosts various drama and musical performances.[268][269] The Grove Park Theatre, described as Wrexham's "oldest amateur theatre", is located on Hill Street in Wrexham since 1954.[270] The 890-seat William Aston Hall in Wrexham University, and the 150-seat Studio Theatre in Coleg Cambria Yale also acts as a venue for events.[268] The Wrexham Musical Theatre Society is based at the 120-seat Riverside Studio Theatre.[268]

    The county borough is home to numerous choirs such as Brymbo, Y Rhos, Rhos Orpheus, Dyffryn Ceiriog and

    Fron Male Voice Choir.[268] The latter is regarded as the oldest boy-band in the world.[268]

    Museums

    Wrexham Archives, and the building is proposed to also host a national football museum, projected to open by 2024.[274] Wrexham was chosen due being the location where the FAW was founded in 1876 and having the oldest club and oldest football ground in Wales.[132][133][134]

    See also

    Notes

    1. ^ as named in some legislation, as well as city status
    2. ^ grouped with Flintshire; formerly UKL23 under NUTS between 2003 and 2020
    3. ^ excluding two independents who did not join.
    4. ^ As of 28 June 2022, only the initial results of the census have been released, only covering local authorities and Wales as a whole. Settlement figures have yet to be released.

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    • External links

    Wikimedia Commons has media related to Wrexham County Borough.
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