Liverpool Council to reclaim Colomendy and consider options for holiday camp

 

With its rich and historic links, Liverpool has often been referred to as the capital of North Wales.

With just 24 miles separating the city to Deeside, the east to west pilgrimage along the M56 is one shared by Scousers and North Walians alike on a regular basis.

One of the long-standing cross-border traditions between the two areas has been of the generations of young people from Liverpool making the journey to visit Colomendy, in Loggerheads, near Mold.

Originally a site for evacuee children from Liverpool during World War Two, after the war the site was transferred to Liverpool Council, with a covenant which retained its use for the benefit of the city’s children.

After seven decades providing educational away days for young people, it was confirmed last month the site would close with immediate effect.

In January Kingswood Colomendy Ltd, the site’s tenant, and its parent company, Inspiring Learning Ltd, both ceased trading and administrators were appointed.

The city council issued a 30 year lease for the site in 2007. Administrators appointed to the business have confirmed the lease will be returned to Liverpool Council in a process known as disclaiming.

In a statement, the local authority has said it will now consider options for the location once the process has completed.

While the decision may be made on the banks of the Mersey, the land remains in the heart of North Wales’ countryside.

Carolyn Thomas, North Wales member of the Welsh Parliament, was previously chair of the Clwydian Range and Dee Valley Area of Natural Beauty (AONB) partnership – where Colomendy is located – and said a future could be found for the site that would benefit all parties.

She said: “Colomendy lies within the Clwydian Range and Dee Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, hopefully soon to be re-designated as a national park. It is situated next to Loggerheads country park, a tourism hot spot and has been used for generations from Merseyside.

“I often meet families at Loggerheads who are reminiscing, bringing their children and grandchildren, to relive and share their experiences. It has an employment and economic benefit to the local economy and has farms.

“It would be great to maintain it as an outdoor education facility but there are also other ideas. I would encourage local authorities to engage with Liverpool Council now the lease for the site has been returned.”

Her fellow North Wales MS, Mark Isherwood, echoed the sentiments of his Labour opposite number and called on parties to get around the table to discuss a way forward. He said: “It’s a matter of great concern on both sides of the border, it’s got a great history, supporting generations of people which have broadened their opportunities.

“It’s an asset to the wider North Wales region. I’m conscious there is a need for it on this side of the border and there’s huge demand and need to support young people.

“I would encourage local authorities to be engaged in active discussions with Liverpool over the site with a view to a solution that might meet the needs of young people in North Wales and Merseyside.” When Colomendy’s closure was announced, it was also revealed three of Kingswood’s centres have been acquired by PGL and will continue to operate.

Cllr Huw Williams represents the Moel Famau ward on Denbighshire Council in which the site is located. He lamented the closure and said economic challenges could prove a factor in getting the service going again.

He said: “I think the situation is tragic really and I personally would like to see it kept. There’s an asset here connecting the areas and it would be a shame to see it gone.

“It’s a famous area that people have used, people of all areas know Loggerheads. Our connection to Liverpool is better than the one with Cardiff.

“I would welcome any communication with Liverpool but I know their budgets are squeezed as ours is being squeezed.” Veteran Mold Cllr Chris Bithell has been in political life for more than half a century and has seen generations of children cross the border to enjoy Colomendy.

He said: “It’s been very important to Liverpool folk. The children that came over may not have had that experience before.

“The number of people I’ve spoken to over the years who’ve said they came up here on holiday, there’s always been a strong link with Merseyside. I’m sure interested parties will look at the facility and how they can continue to give young people those opportunities.”

By David Humphreys – Local Democracy Reporter