Storm Babet's dominated the weather and news in recent days but Rhuthun/Ruthin saw temperatures yesterday of 17°C. Tomorrow (Saturday) and especially today are not going to be as nice. We now officially have a yellow weather warning of continuous heavy rain borne out by the drumming sound outside as I type.
September 29th 2023 works
The Old Gaol reopened this season following the coronavirus closures and the disastrous flood of January 2021. There was considerable water ingress within the attraction, as unstoppable water swept in along the path of least resistance from Clwyd Street. It took much longer than anticipated to dry the place out and the damp even resulted in the basement ceiling losing its otherwise white limewash. The white was a feature of the prison and inmates were said to repaint it often. But the basement looks much better with the brick exposed rather than white. It still smells a little damp, even now.
Before
Unfinished business, however, was a flood gate at the entrance opposite Porth y Dŵr. Here was where in winter 2021 water entered the site. Then, there was nowhere for it to go. The outlet in the end wall had previously been blocked up, thanks to earlier flooding from the opposite direction (Park Road). So, instead, water entered the building. And some. It had nowhere to go.
After. Note the new posts at either end, concrete strip and, just visible within, additional slots for the barriers (by the cones)