It's rare indeed that Rhuthun/Ruthin's annual Open Doors events meet with a drear day. This year, both morns were chill but the days soon came on warm, with late summer sunshine, the likes of which we have never quite witnessed so late in the season or during the 10 years of Open Doors.
Given the withdrawal of much of the county council's financial support, this year's event could easily have been somewhat subdued. As it was, thanks to the efforts of the Civic Association, numbers were only slightly down overall. But the divers venues were reasonably well supported and most of the tours were at capacity. Gone this year were the tacky, battered yellow venue signs, so that was A Good Thing. But there were no actual roadsigns advertising the event, either.
New this year was Wayfarer. Well, actually, it did open last, but was never advertised. Wayfarer is celebrating 50 years of trading in 2015. The tiny and stocked-to-bursting haberdasher & woolshop was once even smaller than it is today: situate at the very rear of the building was a small yard. There is a gallery within that was once used by hands as rough sleeping accommodation, when conjoined to the Wynnstay by an arch as the tavern's tack room. Its connection with the adjacent Wynnstay was also as the gents' lavatory at one time.
Its current proprietrix is the daughter of the original owner who bought the business 50 years ago. Then, it changed hands from a gift &Welsh trinkets shop to the current wool outlet. This year, Wayfarer purchased land from the adjacent police station to provide a slither of a garden. This had always been problematic land for Wayfarer, as it caused some dampness. The police authority formed a low bund or bank that would often be spoilt by weeds. Gone are the days when an off-duty copper would tend the police station's garden. Gone also is the time when the retired proprietor of Well Street's About the House used to grow vegetables there. Why the police need the current gravelled patch of land is actually a mystery except, of course, when it comes to selling the building, which it no doubt will. Anyway, Wayfarer this year also punched a set of patio doors into its side to facilitate access to their new hard landscaped area.
It was pleasing to report that Porth y Dŵr was almost finished (well, within). It's taken several years of hard work by the current couple, one of whom is a conservation architect. They have done it well, to exacting standards, including the 18th century extension.
Completely by coincidence, also present was the previous owner (above, right, with the current owner), who ran the Watergate antiques business from 1987 till its closure in 2001 following the 2000 & 2001 flooding. In his time, he had also undertaken much work within and the current owners were pleased to credit his initial work that actually saved the property.
One very nice touch will be the mounting of a sign above the Clwyd Street Porth y Dŵr window commemorating a well-known former shop there, Rhoda’s sweet shop. The shop sign replicates that of an old photograph of Rhoda's.
The still under-renovation walled garden at Nantclwyd y Dre was also open.
Another conservation architect, this time the one who supervised the Nantclwyd's return to Rhuthun's street scene, also explained that Cadw was likely to facilitate a grant that will see the adjacent 19th century castle wall repaired and restored. This at last will see the reopening of the Cunning Green at some unspecified point in the future.
And then there was the Wynnstay. The current owners of the eastern-most part, still called The Wynnstay, had little idea of the history of the building, having moved in June, and none of the visitors seemed disposed to care much.
Ruthin likes to wheel out the borough's £50,000 bling. The hatted chair of the hardworking civic association is on the left. Without them, there'd be no event this year. To the right is the mayor
Given the withdrawal of much of the county council's financial support, this year's event could easily have been somewhat subdued. As it was, thanks to the efforts of the Civic Association, numbers were only slightly down overall. But the divers venues were reasonably well supported and most of the tours were at capacity. Gone this year were the tacky, battered yellow venue signs, so that was A Good Thing. But there were no actual roadsigns advertising the event, either.
Weeds on the castle wall and deteriorating mortar, as seen from Nantclwyd y Dre
Another conservation architect, this time the one who supervised the Nantclwyd's return to Rhuthun's street scene, also explained that Cadw was likely to facilitate a grant that will see the adjacent 19th century castle wall repaired and restored. This at last will see the reopening of the Cunning Green at some unspecified point in the future.
The refurbished steps and door from Nantclwyd to the Cunning Green
And then there was the Wynnstay. The current owners of the eastern-most part, still called The Wynnstay, had little idea of the history of the building, having moved in June, and none of the visitors seemed disposed to care much.
