Latest news with #FfionPritchard
North Wales Live
27-07-2025
- General
- North Wales Live
This giant seawall will be transformed at North Wales seaside resort
A seawall built as part of new flood defences will be transformed at a seaside town. Working on behalf of Denbighshire County Council, Balfour Beatty's redevelopment of the East Parade in Rhyl included removing the old promenade and sea walls. The new prom was widened and raised to provide protection and for improved pedestrian and cyclist access, with a concrete-stepped revetment constructed to reduce flooding risk — protecting over 600 properties in Central Rhyl. Now a mural will be be created to span up to 60 pre-cast units - printed on durable materials such as aluminium to bring a lasting tribute to the town. Alongside the main installation, workshops with local schools, youth groups and families have helped shape a vibrant mural trail reflecting Rhyl's past, present and future. Artists are now putting the final touches to the striking new mural. Led by artist and facilitator Ffion Pritchard, the project invited creatives from across Denbighshire to contribute to the Ein Rhyl/Our Rhyl campaign. Supported by Rhyl Neighbourhood Board – an independent collective made up of residents, business owners, politicians, council officers and grassroots organisations - and Balfour Beatty, the mural aims to showcase the heart and heritage of the beloved seaside resort, leaving a lasting legacy for future generations. 'The response has been incredible,' said Ffion, from Bangor. 'We've worked with a wide range of amazing community groups and seen just how much creativity and pride exists here. From young people to older residents, everyone has had something valuable to share. This project has brought people together in a powerful way, allowing them to express their vision of Rhyl - what it means to them, where it's been, and where it's going. It's been a joy to help guide that process.' Craig Sparrow, Chair of Rhyl Neighbourhood Board, added: 'We're incredibly grateful for the dedication and creativity that's gone into this project. It's been fantastic to see the community come together, from third sector groups to individual artists, everyone has played a part. 'Projects like this show just how much talent there is in Rhyl, and how art can help tell our story in such a meaningful and lasting way. I'm really looking forward to seeing the completed mural. 'It's going to be something we can all be proud of and will showcase the very best of Rhyl, both for residents and visitors.' Participants have included Ysgol Tir Morfa, West Rhyl Young People's Project, Viva LGBT Youth Cymru, Brighter Futures, Willow Collective, Ysgol Bryn Hedydd, and families through workshops at the town library. The project is on course to be completed in August. Denbighshire County Council will be receiving £20million for Rhyl from the UK Government's Plan for Neighbourhoods programme. Rhyl Neighbourhood Board will develop a 10-year vison for the town and an initial investment plan to determine what priorities should be.
Rhyl Journal
26-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Rhyl Journal
New mural coming to Rhyl seafront as part of regeneration
The project, led by artist and facilitator Ffion Pritchard, forms part of the wider Ein Rhyl/Our Rhyl campaign and aims to celebrate the town's regeneration through public art. Ms Pritchard, based in Bangor, said: "The response has been incredible. "We've worked with a wide range of amazing community groups and seen just how much creativity and pride exists here. "From young people to older residents, everyone has had something valuable to share. "This project has brought people together in a powerful way, allowing them to express their vision of Rhyl – what it means to them, where it's been, and where it's going. "It's been a joy to help guide that process." Supported by the Rhyl Neighbourhood Board and contractor Balfour Beatty, the mural will span up to 60 pre-cast units and will be printed on durable materials such as aluminium to ensure it stands the test of time. Workshops with schools, youth groups, and families have shaped a mural trail that reflects Rhyl's past, present, and future. Participants include Ysgol Tir Morfa, West Rhyl Young People's Project, Viva LGBT Youth Cymru, Brighter Futures, Willow Collective, Ysgol Bryn Hedydd, and families who took part in sessions at Rhyl library. Craig Sparrow, chair of the Rhyl Neighbourhood Board, said: "We're incredibly grateful for the dedication and creativity that's gone into this project. "It's been fantastic to see the community come together, from third sector groups to individual artists, everyone has played a part. "Projects like this show just how much talent there is in Rhyl, and how art can help tell our story in such a meaningful and lasting way. "I'm really looking forward to seeing the completed mural. "It's going to be something we can all be proud of and will showcase the very best of Rhyl, both for residents and visitors." READ MORE: Business at new Queen's Market in Rhyl celebrates serving 1,000th customer The project is expected to be completed in August. The mural also forms part of broader regeneration work along Rhyl's East Parade, led by Denbighshire County Council and delivered by Balfour Beatty. The improvements include a new concrete-stepped revetment to reduce flood risk and protect more than 600 properties in Central Rhyl.
Business News Wales
20-05-2025
- Business
- Business News Wales
Artists Wanted for Multi-million Pound Mural Symbolising Rhyl's Regeneration
Artists Wanted for Multi-million Pound Mural Symbolising Rhyl's Regeneration Artist and facilitator Ffion Pritchard is appealing for up to 10 creatives from across Denbighshire to produce a mural for the Ein Rhyl/Our Rhyl campaign. Supported by Rhyl Neighbourhood Board and Balfour Beatty – which carried out the East Parade redevelopment – the vision is to showcase the history and heart of the popular Welsh resort, leaving a legacy for future generations. Currently engaging with community groups, schools, businesses and the voluntary sector, Ffion, from Bangor, believes the concrete collaboration will stand the test of time and unite people in championing the area via up to 60 pre-cast units to be installed this August. 'Each artist will be tasked with creating a panel which represents the diverse, vibrant and creative communities of Rhyl,' she said. 'In addition to this work – which will be designed then printed on durable material, such as aluminium – we will hold workshops with schools and youth clubs to help create a thriving mural trail to reflect Rhyl today, reflecting on the past and its bright future. 'We want it to capture the excitement and progress happening in the town, which is a hive of activity with so many innovators, creatives, artists and young people. 'This will be a platform for them, a unique opportunity, so we hope to see a lot of engagement and enthusiasm for the project over the coming months.' Ffion's own background is in creative media and commercial illustration, with a focus on society, health and 'the power of storytelling'. A graduate of the University of Brighton, she will begin a Master's degree in Arts Practice: Art, Health and Wellbeing at the University of South Wales in September, having worked with a wide range of organisations and charities, including dementia cafes, homeless shelters and parent and child groups. Craig Sparrow, chair of Rhyl Neighbourhood Board, says the installation will be the 'perfect symbol' for the Ein Rhyl/Our Rhyl campaign, a £20 million regeneration strategy that will create employment, improve infrastructure and remove barriers to opportunity over the next 10 years, funded by the UK Government's Plan for Neighbourhoods programme. He said: 'As we begin a new chapter for the town, driven by the transformative action plan and timeline currently being drawn up by the Board, this is a fantastic project that will fuel creativity and passion in the area. 'It will also act as the perfect symbol for the next decade of regeneration and beyond, giving young people in particular a sense of ownership and pride in their community. 'We can't wait to see what they and Ffion come up with, I'm sure it's going to be incredible and really brighten up the seafront, bringing life to the promenade and a touch of colour to the vital sea defences constructed in past years.' Working on behalf of Denbighshire County Council, Balfour Beatty led on this project, which involved removing the old promenade and sea walls, as well as widening and lifting the new promenade to provide a better shared space for pedestrians and cyclists. They also built a concrete-stepped revetment structure to reduce flooding risk and erosion which will protect more than 600 properties previously affected by flooding in Central Rhyl.
