Gwrych Castle Needs Your Help!

By Justine Bailey, Abergele And St Asaph Visitor

A NUMBER of fundraising events will take place over the summer to help raise money for the first step in restoring a crumbling castle.

Gwrych Castle in Abergele will be the subject of a 12-week feasibility study costing £16,424, with 20 per cent of the total being paid on appointment.

In a bid to generate some of the costs involved, Gwrych Castle Preservation Trust are organising various fundraising activities and are keen for volunteers to come forward to assist them.

"As a charity created for the sole purpose of restoring Gwrych we have been formally incorporated as a member of the Association of Building Preservation Trusts," said Mark Baker, campaigner and Trust member.

"Special fund raising events are planned for the summer as well as various exhibitions and talks. Hopefully these will help raise enough money for the first step in restoring one of North Wales's magnificent landmarks.

"We are looking for volunteers who wish to help with fund raising and various other activities throughout the year.

"A fun day is in the process of being arranged to raise the amount needed for the feasibility study and any repairs which may be carried out on the building."

There will be six main parts to the feasibility study which will include a survey of the castle, consultation with CADW, Conwy Council, Abergele Town Council, the public and local groups, an assessment of the possible end uses, an outline business plan and a draft report.

The final report will be displayed to the public and other interested bodies.

Meanwhile, a botanical survey of the gardens and grounds of the castle will be made available to the public in the near future.

Anyone interested in becoming a member of the trust for £5 a year or making a donation to the Gwrych Castle Preservation Trust should write c/o 54 Roseview Crescent, Kinmel Bay, Conwy, LL18 5BY.