You can tell that local government's hit hard times by this year's pared down Open Doors weekend heritage guide. With very little imagery, it's slim and plain compared to previous offerings. And it only covers Rhuthun/Ruthin and surrounding areas—no mention of Dinbych as in previous years* or Llanelwy/St Asaph or Llangollen (as last year). And to think, not that long ago, we wondered whether there was so-called "heritage fatique".
But, the event hasn't folded and is still with us. Indeed, the booklet is now solely thanks to the work of the Ruthin Civic Society who have funded & produced it; and organised the events within. It may not be the extravagant offering of some years past. These featured guided walks and tours on the street scene, law & order, geology, and so on. But all the old favourite are there: a tour of the Castle grounds, the Nat West bank, Nantclwyd y Dre, Gaol (all free of charge) plus the town's capeli and churches.
But it also promises something new. Siop Nain will be open to wander around on both days. So will the Wynnstay (Sunday only) and Wayfarer next door (both days). Plus the Picture House.
And on the same days, Llanrhaeadr will be "open" (not that the church or especially the well are ever closed).
Rhuthun Open Doors event: Saturday September 26th and Sunday 27th, 2015
*—Dinbych promised a brochure in August but none had appeared by September 2nd. The Dinbych civic society is nowhere near as strong as Rhuthun's and, in spite of a promise to organise an event, they decided in May to pull it, handing back the £1,000 grant to the town council. A separate group formed to carry this forward but the resultant summer hiatus but them back...
This year, the Open Doors Denbighshire website refers only to Rhuthun. We suspect that the "Pick up a brochure from Denbighshire Library in August" (sic) was a clumsy edit from previous years... by removing the word "any"
But it also promises something new. Siop Nain will be open to wander around on both days. So will the Wynnstay (Sunday only) and Wayfarer next door (both days). Plus the Picture House.
Rhuthun Open Doors event: Saturday September 26th and Sunday 27th, 2015
*—Dinbych promised a brochure in August but none had appeared by September 2nd. The Dinbych civic society is nowhere near as strong as Rhuthun's and, in spite of a promise to organise an event, they decided in May to pull it, handing back the £1,000 grant to the town council. A separate group formed to carry this forward but the resultant summer hiatus but them back...