Voices from the Archive

New Audio Bench Brings Local History to Life in Ruthin Park

Visitors to Cae Ddol in Ruthin can now listen to stories from the history of North East Wales in a unique and engaging way thanks to the installation of a new solar-powered audio bench, funded by Welsh Government.

Situated behind the children's play area, the new bench offers park users the opportunity to sit, relax and listen to fascinating stories drawn directly from the collections of North East Wales Archives. Equipped with a simple panel of buttons and built-in speakers, the bench allows visitors of all ages to hear recordings inspired by real historical documents and personal accounts preserved in the archives.

The recordings were created in partnership with Theatr Clwyd's writers' group, Cwils. Members of the group visited North East Wales Archives to explore the collections and draw inspiration from the records they discovered. Using these archival materials, they developed a series of original scripts based on real people and events from the region's past.

The audio stories explore themes of love and loss, change and resilience, revealing how ordinary people experienced extraordinary moments in history. By sharing these voices in a public setting, the project encourages residents and visitors alike to discover that history is not distant- it is personal, relevant and belongs to everyone.

Councillor Huw Hilditch-Roberts, Deputy Leader and Lead Member for Education & Children, Welsh Language, Culture and Heritage said:

“This is a wonderful example of how we can bring our rich local heritage to life in a way that is accessible, engaging and enjoyable for everyone.

“The audio bench provides a unique opportunity for people to take a moment, sit back and hear stories inspired by the real people, experiences and events preserved within the collections of North East Wales Archives. It is particularly exciting to see our archive collections being shared in such an innovative way, outside of a traditional archive setting.

“Projects like this help us to connect people with the history of our communities and encourage new audiences to discover the stories that have shaped our region. I hope residents and visitors to Cae Ddol will take the opportunity to stop, listen and enjoy these fascinating voices from our past.”

The installation reflects North East Wales Archives' ongoing commitment to making the region's heritage more accessible, engaging new audiences with local history and ensuring that archival collections can be enjoyed beyond traditional archive buildings.

Visitors are encouraged to stop by the audio bench, take a seat, and discover the remarkable stories preserved within the archives of North East Wales.

About North East Wales Archives

North East Wales Archives preserves and provides access to the documentary heritage of the region. Its collections span nearly 900 years of history, from medieval records to contemporary archives, helping people explore the lives, communities and events that have shaped North East Wales.

About Cwils

Cwils is a Theatr Clwyd Community group for people to explore and build their creative writing skills. From plays to poetry, short stories to novels, it’s a place to learn and grow a love for the written word. It’s for those who are starting out on their writers journey, with the support and knowledge of Theatr Clwyd. Full details are available on the Theatr Clwyd website under “Take Part.”