Ruthin  is one of the finest small towns in Wales. Its townscape and the quality and range of its individual buildings are outstanding. The Ruthin and District Civic Association, founded in 1988, believes that it is worth taking the trouble to ensure that the town continues to provide visual delight and stimulus for present and future citizens.
   The villages surrounding Ruthin have an equal claim on its vigilance for their fine churches and chapels, country houses, farms and pubs, as well as for their village centres. All the villages, while retaining their distinct character, have a contribution to make to the visual enjoyment of the whole district.
   The Association does not believe that all modern development is a threat to our inheritance. As in the past, so in the present. Twenty-first century architecture must make its own mark on the richness of our environment.

Visual delight and stimulus
The Association takes a leading role in the organisation of Unlocking the past, the district's Open Heritage weekend (part of the Open Doors event in Wales) during which an increasing number of interesting buildings are open to locals and visitors alike. We aim to improve the quality of that experience by the provision of an accessible and attractive booklet, and through guided tours of particular buildings. It is a matter of particular satisfaction that work on one of these buildings, the fifteenth-century Nantclwyd House, began in January 2005, after many years of concern for its survival.
   In December 2004, we began to build on the interest aroused in Unlocking the Past by conducting a survey of buildings in the town which might merit the fixing of a plaque explaining their architectural or historic significance. If sufficient funds are raised we hope to have the first group of plaques in place by September 2005.
   We work closely with other local organisations who are interested in the visual arts. In 2004 we gave strong support to FOCAL, the Festival of Contemporary Art and Light, in which works of art were introduced to shops, public buildings, and open spaces. In January 2005 we hosted a public meeting at which the architects of the planned extension and refurbishment of the Ruthin Craft Centre (to become the Welsh national centre for applied contemporary crafts) explained their initial ideas; we expect to follow the evolution of the transformed centre closely.

Watchful eyes
On behalf of the whole community, the Civic Association looks closely at all proposals for new developments and is prepared to object to those which are considered inappropriate. At the same time we campaign against any deterioration in the quality of the existing environment – litter, fly-tipping, poor landscaping, inadequate provision for car-parking. The improvement of Ruthin town centre in the interest of pedestrians is a continuing concern as is the poor screening of some local industrial estates. Along with the Campaign for the Protection of Rural Wales, we view with some concern the proliferation of wind farms locally, and of cars dumped in the open countryside. We argue that the cars should be removed immediately and that no new onshore wind farms should be allowed before the possibilities of "cleaner" technology have been explored.
   More positively, the Association organises public conversations on environmental concerns with local officials and councillors. In 2003, we held a public meeting during which those standing for election to the Welsh Assembly explained their ideas and programmes. Recognising the central importance of a healthy local economy, we work closely with the Small Towns and Villages Enterprise Initiative. For several years, from 2005, we shall be monitoring the effect of a considerable extension of roads, housing, schools and open space to the north of the town.

Best practice
Named after a distinguished local resident, the Quayle Award is regularly presented to the owners of private, public and commercial buildings, who have enriched local towns and villages by good new design and texture or by sensitive restoration. We encourage members of the public to make nominations. In 2004, the award went to Denbighshire County Council for its extension to Brynhyfryd School, and to the owners of South Prior House, who had restored and redecorated a run-down block of shops and flats above.
   We championed the cause of Rose Cottage, a modest seventeenth-century house to the east of Ruthin town centre that had fallen into disrepair before it was restored in 2003. Rose Cottage received a Local Design Award from the Civic Trust for Wales for 2003-4.

On the record
All the Association's interests and concerns are summed up in its quarterly newsletter, Town and Around, a journal of record on a changing town and district, containing news of current campaigns and events, the comments of local people on developments and problems, features on the villages, articles on history and culture and book reviews. Town and Around is widely distributed not only to members but to those in local authorities and other organisations who need to know about its content.

New members are always welcome...
... and so are their ideas. Membership costs £6/year for individuals, £10 for families (£5 and £9 for senior citizens); for businesses who wish to take out corporate membership, the cost is £15. Members receive Town and around, get prior notice of public meetings, and, most importantly, have a say in the affairs and policy of the Association.

Contacts
Robert Williams, Lenton House, Mold Road, Ruthin LL15 1SL (tel. 01824 704998)
Derek Jones, Graigfechan, Ruthin LL15 2EX (tel. 01824 705015) Click to e-mail me