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Campaigners launch bid to save roof of Welsh landmark after recent storms

22 Feb 2022 4 minute read
The John Summers building

Campaigners have launched a bid to save the roof of the Grade II-listed John Summers Clock Tower in Deeside after a series of named storms over past weeks did further damage.

Vicki Roskams and fellow campaigners have set up a CrowdFunding page in a bid to reach their target of £350,000 and are appealing for builders’ merchants, roofing firms and industrial suppliers to help with materials and labour, including felt and wooden beams and batons.

More than £600,000 in grants and financial support for the £5.2m site revamp has been secured over the last 18 months. But Vicki says this capital is largely earmarked for other areas of the project.

“The grants we have received in past months are for the basement and building itself, not the roof,” said Vicki Roskams.

“We have patched it up as much as possible following years of vandalism and decay but the storms and bad weather throughout Winter have had a major impact and mean we need a permanent solution, and quickly.

“There is no way the roof will make it through another year in its current state, there is significant work to be done and we need experts in to do it, so we are appealing to local businesses and suppliers to get in touch.”

Drone footage of the roof

Vicki Roskams added: “As more funding comes in there will be opportunities to work together in the future, and anyone who comes to our aid will be able to use the facilities and services for free on completion, but for now we are relying on kindness and generosity.”

With the support of new directors including former Tata Steel apprentice and now Ethikos Group CEO Scott Davis, and Charlotte Summers – great-great-great granddaughter of the Victorian steel magnate John Summers – she said that she was confident they will find a solution and is calling on the community and volunteers to get behind them like never before.

“We have received incredible support since day one, and made huge progress over the last few years,” said Vicki.

“But ultimately, if the roof is in a bad state of disrepair and letting in rain it affects the whole building and will become a safety concern going forward.

“Construction is now underway on-site, but this is our priority; this is the centre-point of this area, bringing people together and providing a beacon of hope for so many who have experienced so many challenges in recent times, including the pandemic.

“This is a critical stage for the development so please get in touch if you can pledge your assistance – we hugely appreciate any help you can give us.”

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The John Summer Clock Tower building opened in 1907 and was home to the general office of Shotton Steelworks – now Tata Steel – on the banks of the River Dee, before closing in 2009 and falling into serious disrepair after being sold by the company.

Plans for the site include a community hub, heritage skills and training centre, café, library, woodland garden, live events venue and much more.

The committee is currently recruiting for a project officer and a project manager, and joining new partnerships with organisations including Procure Plus, Coleg Cambria, Toyota and Forces Fitness.

Grants and financial support for the site have been secured by organisations including Welsh Government, Transport for Wales, the National Lottery, the Welsh Council for Voluntary Action (WCVA), Comic Relief, Architectural Heritage, CADW, Parc Adfer and Flintshire County Council.

The campaign can be supported with materials or labour through the website: www.savetheclocktower.co.uk.


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Grayham Jones
2 years ago

As long as we in wales are not paying for it

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