Deeside Through Time Launches

People from across Deeside are being invited to share their memories and help uncover stories of the area’s past as a new heritage project gets underway.

Delivered by Flintshire County Council, ‘Deeside Through Time’ will delve into the history of Deeside, the river and the communities that developed along its banks.

The project has been made possible thanks to funding from The National Lottery Heritage Fund, with additional funding from Parc Adfer, Gwella and the Deeisde and District Local History Society.

It will share and celebrate the unique heritage of Deeside, working with the multiple local communities who edge the riverside, documenting how the area has changed over time.

Andrew White, Director for Wales, The National Lottery Heritage Fund said:

“The story of Deeside flows through its river, its industries and its communities. Thanks to National Lottery players, Deeside Through Time will bring these tributaries together, helping people discover, record and celebrate the heritage that has shaped the area for generations.”

A part-time Project Manager and Community Heritage Officer will be employed to deliver the project.

Outcomes will include:

• Collating existing heritage material to ensure it is brought into the public domain and conserved.
• Gathering fresh material, especially memories of the steelworks but also of other industries including fishing, shipping and market gardening.
• Running heritage events and reminiscence sessions in each community, based around key hubs.
• Sharing the edited material on the Flintshire Museums website, flintshiremuseumcollections.wales.
• Using community art, digital stories, visual timelines, short films and displays to present key heritage stories in different ways to engage with a wider audience.
• Producing virtual tours for each community, working with local schools and community groups.
• Encouraging Deeside schools to incorporate their local heritage in their teaching by offering site visits and tailored education resources.

Councillor Chris Dolphin, Cabinet Member for Environment, Regeneration, Countryside and Tourism, said:

“Deeside has so many great stories to tell, and there will be people across our communities with memories, photographs and local knowledge that deserve to be shared.

“This is a fantastic opportunity for people to get involved in helping to tell and preserve Deeside’s unique story for future generations.”

The first event will be a celebration of 130 years since the opening of Shotton Steelworks at the Clock Tower on Saturday 10 October.

Thanks to the kind invitation from Wilson’s Auctions, the Clock Tower will be open from 11am-4pm. There will be guided tours of the building, displays on the steelworks and surrounding area, time to reminisce with former colleagues and an opportunity to explore the grounds and find out more about the work of Wilson’s Auctions.

The tours will be run at hourly intervals throughout the day and can be booked online via: 

Eventbrite.co.uk.

David Williams, Senior Operations Manager at Wilsons Auctions, said:

"We're so proud to be involved with this project and open the doors of the Clock Tower to mark 130 years of history at Shotton Steelworks.

“This site has been part of the fabric of Deeside for generations, and since acquiring the premises back in 2020, Wilsons Auctions has put a significant investment and effort into the site to bring it back to life.

“We're delighted to welcome former colleagues, local residents and schools to share their memories and discover more about its past, plus encourage the local public to come and discover the work we do here today.”

Wilsons Auctions has kindly donated free teas, coffee and cakes for all attendees on the day.

Demand for the tours is expected to be high, and booking is therefore strongly recommended to avoid disappointment.

Unfortunately this event is not suitable for under-14s, but local schools can book a visit directly with Wilson’s Auctions.

For further information about the project or if would like to get involved, email: 

CommunityHeritageOfficer@flintshire.gov.uk