History of Wrexham in Timeline
Wrexham is a Welsh city situated between the mountains and the Dee Valley, near the English border. Historically part of Denbighshire and later Clwyd, it became the main settlement of Wrexham County Borough in 1996.
1902: Completion of the Poyser Street drill hall
The Poyser Street drill hall in Wrexham was completed in 1902.
1904: Construction of the Talbot Hotel
The half-timbered Talbot Hotel building, located at the intersection of Hope Street and Queen Street, was constructed in 1904.
1912: T.H. Parry-Williams' Victory at the National Eisteddfod
At the 1912 National Eisteddfod of Wales held in Wrexham, T.H. Parry-Williams achieved a rare feat by winning both the Chair and the Crown.
1912: Reconstruction of Wrexham General Station
Wrexham General railway station, originally opened in 1846, underwent its first major reconstruction in 1912.
1912: National Eisteddfod
Wrexham hosted the National Eisteddfod in 1912.
1913: Peak of North East Wales Coal Field
By 1913, the North East Wales coal field was producing up to 3 million tonnes of coal annually and employed over 10,000 people.
1931: North Wales Rugby Union Founded
In 1931, nine northern Welsh rugby clubs came together in Wrexham to establish the North Wales Rugby Union. Wrexham RFC was one of the founding members of this union.
1933: National Eisteddfod
The National Eisteddfod was held in Wrexham in 1933.
1934: Gresford Colliery Disaster
In 1934, the Gresford Colliery disaster, one of the worst mining disasters in British history, claimed the lives of 266 men due to underground explosions and a fire.
February 1940: Demolition of Wrexham Town Hall
In February 1940, the early 18th century Wrexham Town Hall was demolished to improve traffic flow in the area.
1946: Decline of the Coal Industry
Following the First World War, the coal industry experienced a decline. In 1946, seven large-scale collieries were operational in the Wrexham area.
1950: Founding of Elihu Yale School
In 1950, a new state school named after Elihu Yale, the primary benefactor of Yale University, was established in Wrexham on a site at Crispin Lane.
1958: Establishment of Darland High School and Ysgol Bryn Alyn
Two significant secondary schools, Darland High School and Ysgol Bryn Alyn, were established in Wrexham in 1958, contributing to the city's educational landscape.
1960: Demolition of St. Mark's Church
Due to concerns about its structural integrity and the risk of collapse because of inadequate foundations, St. Mark's Church on St. Mark's Road was demolished in 1960. A multi-storey car park, named St. Mark's, was subsequently built on the site.
1968: Closure of Collieries
By 1968, only two functional collieries remained in the Wrexham area due to the decline of the coal industry.
March 1970: Twinning of Wrexham and Kreis Iserlohn
The first town twinning agreement for Wrexham was established on March 17, 1970, connecting the town with Kreis Iserlohn in Germany.
1970: Canonization of Saint Richard Gwyn
Richard Gwyn, a 16th-century martyr who was executed in Wrexham's Beast Market, was officially declared a saint by Pope Paul VI in 1970. His relic is now housed in the Cathedral of Our Lady of Sorrows in Wrexham.
1970: Canonization of St Richard Gwyn
St Richard Gwyn, executed in 1584, was canonized by Pope Paul VI in 1970 as one of the Forty Martyrs of England and Wales.
1970: First Concert at Racecourse Ground
The first known concert at the Racecourse Ground took place in the 1970s, featuring performances by KC and the Sunshine Band, Mac and Katie Kissoon, and Junior Walker.
1971: Construction of Wrexham Methodist Church
A new Methodist church was built in Wrexham in 1971. Located on Regent Street, this new building replaced the former Brynyfynnon Chapel and became the main Methodist church in the city.
1973: Elihu Yale School Renamed
As part of a local transition to the comprehensive school system, Elihu Yale School was renamed Yale Sixth Form College in 1973, and its students were moved to different schools. The former school site on Crispin Lane was integrated into NEWI (now Glyndŵr University) during the development of the Grove Park Campus.
1973: Wrexham Police Station Opens
Wrexham Police Station began operating from its location on Regent Street in 1973.
1973: Wrexham Police Station Opens
Wrexham's high-rise police station on Regent Street began operating in 1973.
1974: Wrexham becomes part of Clwyd County
In 1974, Wrexham became part of the newly formed county of Clwyd.
1977: National Eisteddfod
Wrexham hosted the National Eisteddfod in 1977.
1982: Motörhead Festival
The Racecourse Ground hosted a music festival in 1982, with Motörhead as a notable performer.
1986: Closure of Bersham Colliery
Bersham Colliery, the last pit in the Wrexham Borough, closed in 1986.
1987: Establishment of the Diocese of Wrexham
The Roman Catholic province of Wales underwent a significant restructuring in 1987. As part of these changes, the Diocese of Wrexham was created, encompassing all of North Wales. The Cathedral of Our Lady of Sorrows became the seat of the Bishop of Wrexham.
1991: Football Association of Wales Relocation
The headquarters of the Football Association of Wales, originally located in Wrexham since its establishment in 1876, relocated to Cardiff in 1991.
1996: Wrexham becomes principal settlement of Wrexham County Borough
In 1996, Wrexham became the principal settlement of the newly created Wrexham County Borough.
1996: Continuation of Twinning Agreement
The twinning agreement between Wrexham and Kreis Iserlohn, initially established in 1970, remained in effect despite local government restructuring in both countries during the mid-1970s. This ongoing partnership was further solidified when Wrexham County Borough Council took over the twinning arrangement in 1996.
1997: Modernization of Wrexham General Station
Wrexham General railway station underwent another significant rebuild in 1997, marking its second major modernization since its original construction in 1846.
1998: Relocation of Wrexham Central Station
The construction of the Island Green retail park in 1998 necessitated the relocation of Wrexham Central railway station. The station was moved approximately 50 meters down the track to its current location.
1998: Yale College Expands
Yale College expanded its presence in Wrexham in 1998 by establishing a faculty of engineering and construction on Bersham Road. It also opened a multi-purpose site at a redeveloped Grove Park campus, contributing to the college's growth over the next 15 years.
1999: Central Station Opening
Central Station, a live music venue with a capacity of approximately 650, opened in Wrexham in 1999.
June 2000: Bellevue Park Reopening
After a period of neglect and restoration efforts, Bellevue Park reopened in June 2000.
2001: Twinning of Märkischer Kreis and Racibórz
In 2001, Märkischer Kreis, the German district that succeeded Kreis Iserlohn, formed a new twinning partnership with Racibórz (Ratibor), a county in Poland.
September 2002: Racibórz Delegation Visits Wrexham
A delegation from Racibórz, Poland, visited Wrexham in September 2002 to initiate discussions about potential collaborative ventures. This visit laid the groundwork for a formal twinning agreement between the two locations.
2003: Creation of Super Schools
A major restructuring of secondary education in Wrexham took place in 2003 with the merger of three large schools: St David's School, Ysgol Bryn Offa, and The Groves High School. This merger led to the creation of two larger "super schools" named Rhosnesni High School and Ysgol Clywedog.
March 2004: Twinning of Wrexham and Racibórz
Wrexham and Racibórz, Poland, formally signed a twinning agreement in March 2004, establishing a partnership rooted in historical connections and shared interests.
2004: Wrexham Symphony Orchestra Residency
The Wrexham Symphony Orchestra established its residency at William Aston Hall, a 900-seat venue at Glyndŵr University, in 2004.
2005: Welsh Children in Need Concert
Llwyn Isaf, a green space in Wrexham's civic centre, hosted the Welsh Children in Need concert in 2005, featuring performances by artists such as Bryan Adams and Katherine Jenkins.
2007: Wrexham's Population Proportion
In 2007, Wrexham accounted for roughly 40% of the total population of the county borough.
2007: Business Start-Up Success
In 2007, Wrexham was ranked fifth in the UK for business start-up success, surpassing many larger UK towns and cities. This period saw the town's economy shift from heavy industry to sectors like high-tech manufacturing, biotechnology, finance, and professional services.
2007: Lesley Griffiths Becomes Wrexham's Assembly Member
Lesley Griffiths of the Welsh Labour Party has represented the Wrexham constituency in the Senedd since 2007, holding various cabinet positions in the Welsh Government.
March 2008: Calon FM Base
Glyndŵr University became the base for Calon FM, a community radio station serving the Wrexham County Borough, in March 2008.
April 2008: Wrexham & Shropshire Railway Services Commence
Passenger train services operated by the Wrexham & Shropshire railway company commenced on 28 April 2008. These services provided a direct connection from Wrexham to London Marylebone via Shropshire.
2008: NEWI Becomes Wrexham University
The North East Wales Institute (NEWI) was officially granted full university status in 2008 and renamed Wrexham University.
2008: National Trust Land Development Proposal
In 2008, a proposal to develop over 250 homes on National Trust land at Erddig sparked protests, particularly from residents of nearby Rhostyllen. A motion to block the development at the NT's 2008 AGM gained significant support but was ultimately overturned by proxy votes.
2010: FOCUS Wales Festival Launch
FOCUS Wales, a festival showcasing musicians from Wales and internationally, was launched in 2010, utilizing various venues across the city.
January 2011: Closure of Wrexham & Shropshire Railway Services
Despite efforts to establish a profitable operation, the Wrexham & Shropshire railway company ceased its passenger train services on January 28, 2011. The decision to end the service was driven by financial challenges and the inability to achieve long-term sustainability.
2011: National Eisteddfod of Wales
In 2011, Wrexham hosted the National Eisteddfod of Wales for the sixth time.
2011: Population Census
The 2011 census determined that Wrexham's built-up area had a population of 61,603, which increased to 65,692 when including nearby villages.
2011: Population Census
The 2011 census reported that Wrexham's built-up area, including settlements to the west, had a population between 61,603 and 65,692.
2011: Welsh Speakers Census
The 2011 census revealed that the average percentage of Welsh speakers (aged 3+) in Wrexham's electoral divisions was 11.01%, compared to the Wales average of 19.0%.
2011: National Eisteddfod
The National Eisteddfod returned to the Wrexham area in 2011, taking place at Lower Berse Farm.
2011: North Wales Crusaders Formation
The North Wales Crusaders rugby league team was formed in 2011 following the dissolution of the Super League club Crusaders RL.
March 2012: Wrexham's Bid for City Status Unsuccessful
Wrexham's bid for city status was unsuccessful again in March 2012, with St Asaph being granted the honor.
2012: Wrexham.com Establishment
Wrexham.com, an online news website covering the Wrexham area, was established in 2012, operating from offices on Regent Street in the city centre.
August 2013: Formation of Coleg Cambria
August 2013 marked the official merger of Yale College with Deeside College, Northop College, and Llysfasi College, resulting in the creation of a new institution named Coleg Cambria. David Jones, the former principal of Deeside College, was appointed to lead the newly formed college.
January 2015: Portuguese Migrant Community
In January 2015, it was estimated that over 2,000 Portuguese migrants resided and worked in Wrexham, primarily concentrated in the Hightown district. The community holds an annual carnival in the city centre.
2015: King James Bible Discovery
A rare and valuable artifact, a first edition of the King James Bible from 1611, was discovered in 2015. It was found inside a cabinet by the Rector at St. Giles Parish Church in Wrexham.
2015: Fields in Trust Centenary Field Dedication
Belle Vue Park was dedicated as a Fields in Trust Centenary Field in 2015, recognizing its historical connection with veterans of both World Wars.
February 2016: HM Prison Berwyn Naming
In February 2016, the new prison on Wrexham Industrial Estate was officially named HM Prison Berwyn.
2016: Stereophonics Concert
The Racecourse Ground reintroduced live music in 2016 after a long hiatus. The Stereophonics were the first to perform, marking the return of live music to the venue since a festival with Motörhead in 1982.
2016: North Wales Crusaders at Racecourse Stadium
The Racecourse stadium served as the home ground for the North Wales Crusaders rugby league team until the end of 2016.
March 2017: HM Prison Berwyn Opening
March 2017 saw the opening of HM Prison Berwyn, a Category C male prison located on Wrexham Industrial Estate. The prison, built on the former Firestone Site, has a capacity of 2,100 and cost £212 million to construct.
2017: UB40 and Olly Murs Concert
Following the success of the Stereophonics concert, the Racecourse Ground hosted another live music event in 2017, featuring UB40 and Olly Murs.
2017: Plans for New Railway Stations
Plans emerged in 2017 for two new railway stations for Wrexham. Despite being named Wrexham North and Wrexham South, these stations were planned to be located outside the town's boundaries.
2017: Tŷ Pawb Naming
The name "Tŷ Pawb," meaning "Everybody's House" in Welsh, was chosen by public vote in 2017 for Wrexham's largest visual arts and exhibition facility, formerly known as Oriel Wrecsam and the People's Market.
June 2018: Stereophonics Concert
The Stereophonics, along with special guest Jake Bugg, performed at the Racecourse Ground in June 2018.
2018: Chetwood Financial Banking Licence
Chetwood Financial, a fintech lender, obtained a full banking licence in 2018, making it the only new retail bank to do so that year.
February 2019: Live Rooms Wrexham Closure
Live Rooms Wrexham, formerly known as Central Station, closed in February 2019 due to financial pressures, marking its 20th anniversary.
July 2019: Objection to Housing Development
In July 2019, Alyn Family Doctors, a local GP practice, formally objected to proposals for 300 new homes in Llay and Rossett, citing concerns about their already overstretched capacity.
2019: Wrexham Police Station Closes
After 46 years of service, Wrexham Police Station on Regent Street was closed in 2019 and later demolished.
2019: Wrexham Police Station Closes
Wrexham Police Station on Regent Street closed in 2019.
2019: Venice Biennale
Tŷ Pawb served as the lead organization for Wales at the Venice Biennale in 2019.
2019: Sarah Atherton Becomes Wrexham's MP
In the 2019 general election, Sarah Atherton of the Conservative Party was elected as the Member of Parliament for Wrexham, the first Conservative to hold the seat.
November 2020: Wrexham AFC Takeover
On November 16, 2020, actors Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, through their company RR McReynolds Company LLC, took ownership of Wrexham AFC after securing the support of the Wrexham Supporters Trust.
2020: Demolition of Wrexham Police Station
Following its closure in 2019, Wrexham Police Station was demolished in 2020.
2020: Redevelopment of Yale Grove Park Campus
In the 2020-2021 academic year, Coleg Cambria undertook a major redevelopment project at its Yale Grove Park Campus in Wrexham city centre. The £20 million project resulted in the construction of the new Hafod building, envisioned as a "commercial village" within Wrexham.
January 2021: Calon FM Relocation
Calon FM relocated from Glyndŵr University to the Wrexham Enterprise Hub in January 2021.
2021: Population Census
In 2021, Wrexham had an urban population of 44,785.
2021: Population Census
The 2021 Census recorded Wrexham's urban population as 44,785.
2021: UK City of Culture Bid
Wrexham County Borough submitted a bid for the UK City of Culture in 2021, aiming to secure the title for 2025.
2021: Wrexham to Apply for City Status
Wrexham council announced its intention to apply for city status for a fourth time in 2021, in celebration of the Queen's Platinum Jubilee.
2021: North Wales Crusaders Relocation
After playing at the Queensway Stadium in Caia Park, the North Wales Crusaders rugby league team relocated to Colwyn Bay in 2021.
May 2022: Wrexham Awarded City Status
On May 20, 2022, it was announced that Wrexham would be granted city status as part of the Platinum Jubilee Civic Honours.
May 2022: Wrexham County Borough Council Election
The most recent Wrexham County Borough Council election took place in May 2022, resulting in an Independent Group-Conservative coalition and some ward changes.
May 2022: UK City of Culture Bid
Wrexham's bid for the UK City of Culture 2025 title was successful in reaching the final four out of twenty bids but ultimately lost to Bradford in May 2022.
September 2022: Wrexham Officially Becomes a City
Wrexham's city status was officially confirmed by Letters Patent on September 1, 2022, making it Wales' seventh city.
2022: The Rockin' Chair Opening
The former Live Rooms Wrexham venue reopened as The Rockin' Chair in 2022, with a performance by local band The Royston Club.
May 2023: Kings of Leon Concert
Kings of Leon headlined shows at the Racecourse Ground in May 2023.
October 2023: Ryan Reynolds Memorial Park Announced
In October 2023, plans for a memorial park dedicated to Ryan Reynolds were revealed. The park, designed to be a community hub, will feature play areas, seating, art installations, food stalls, and even a community cinema.
2024: Health and Wellbeing Complex at Coleg Cambria
A new health and wellbeing complex is expected to be completed by summer 2024 at Coleg Cambria. The project, estimated at £14 million, will provide state-of-the-art facilities for students and the community.
2024: Wrexham University's Enterprise Engineering and Optics Centre
Construction of Wrexham University's new Enterprise Engineering and Optics Centre (EEOC) is slated to begin in 2024. The project, to be undertaken by Wynne Construction at the Plas Coch campus, aims to enhance the existing facilities and promote innovation in engineering and optics.
2025: UK City of Culture Bid
Wrexham was in the running for the UK City of Culture title for the year 2025.