The Holywell and District Society

The Holywell and District Society joined People’s Collection Wales (PCW) in 2022. At the time, the THADS archive was held on an old COMMA system, and the Society was keen to transfer their archive. A virtual training session by PCW staff provided guidance on contributing to the site: using the descriptive fields to increase searchability, creating collections, and how to obtain permission from copyright holders.

Whitford Street Fish and Chip shop, Holywell 1930. Part of the Gordon Catherwood’s collection.

In a short space of time, THADS has contributed more than a thousand items, drawn from family photos, memorabilia, and other archive materials. Collections put the spotlight on local people, communities, events, and buildings, from the St James Church Holywell Memorial dated 1629 to a 2019 black-and-white series of properties.

Increasing accessibility

For Linda Jones, Archivist at THADS, public accessibility to the website is PCW’s greatest strength.

Previously people could only access the THADS archive by coming to archive sessions and have me find information for them.

Now, she says, access to the public is readily available at any time.

Indenture for Patrick Byrne of Rhosllanerchrugog, to be apprentice tinplate worker, 14/10/1874. Part of the Wayne Williams collection.

Becoming part of the People’s Collection Wales

Plus, Linda points out, there is the wider benefit to becoming part of a national digital collection:

It also gives people a chance to explore the other contributions to the site and the excellent educational resources.

Courtaulds Greenfield Works 279.91, textile manufacturer, 1980.

Strengthening Welsh-language content

THADS also found working with the Welsh-speaking PCW staff beneficial and Linda sees the Welsh subtitles added to many of the entries as “a great asset”. And they’re not finished yet: look out for further material from The Holywell and District Society.