History To Come To Life For Village Project

A VILLAGE community will take a step back in time in a bid to preserve its history for future generations.

Charitable housing association Grŵp Cynefin is on the lookout for people to join a new film project which will bring the history of the village of Meliden, Prestatyn, to life.

The project comes on the back of the planned £1.4 million revamp of the village’s former railway building, now called Y Shed.

The goods shed was an integral part of the Prestatyn-Dyserth three-mile railway line until it closed in 1957, reopening briefly as a business premises before closing again. Many Meliden residents have memories of the shed and the railway line through the years which are to be captured on film for the first time.

Mair Edwards, Community Initiatives Manager at Grŵp Cynefin, said: “The shed is to be transformed into a community hub with a shop, café, heritage centre, bike hire facility, allotments and artists’ workshops – a real asset to the village.

“The goods’ shed has always been the backdrop to Meliden with one resident telling me how she collected her gas mask from there during the second world war. Stories are important – helping the next generation understand the history of where they live and placing this well-known building in a different context. We want to capture memories like this – and more that we don’t yet know about – on film to give visitors to Y Shed an understanding of its historical importance.”

A special history group which includes Meliden Residents Action Group, the village primary school, Ysgol Melyd, and Old Colwyn-based TAPE Community Music & Film, has been set up to run the project with interviews filmed over the next few months. The finished film will be shown at Y Shed when it opens in 2018.

Ysgol Melyd Head teacher Dafydd Jones said: “This intergenerational project offers a great deal to the school and the community of which we are a part. Our children will learn valuable research, interviewing and filming techniques but will also create an historical piece of work which will be useful to future generations.

“It is an opportunity, too, for children to explore their local history and strengthen the school’s links with older generations.”

The group is appealing for people with memories of the railway shed to come forward and has released 1960’s footage of the railway line in use to help jog memories. The film was shot by late Bagillt gentleman, John Thomas, during a tour of the railway line and given to the history group by his friend, Dewi Davies of Wrexham.

Neil Dunsire, Project manager with TAPE Community Music and Film, said: “Intergenerational project like this create valuable records for the future, capturing memories and moments in time and creating a better understanding and a sense of place for the youngsters of Meliden and visitors to Y Shed. We’re appealing for anyone with memories to share - or relevant pictures and documents they may have tucked away at home - to get in touch.”

Anyone wanting to get involved with the project should contact Neil Dunsire: neil@tapemusicandfilm.co.uk T: 01492 512109.

Back to Y Shed Stories.