Memories of Flint

Summary

In 2024, Transport for Wales, supported by £90,000 funding from Railway Heritage Trust, completed a million-pound investment into the Flint and Runcorn East railway stations, improving passenger experience and providing a more welcoming station environment.

The Memories of Flint Project contributed to the transformation of Flint railway station by bringing life to its waiting room with a collage of drawings and paintings transferred to vinyl.

Under the artistic guidance of Sharon Wagstaff, a group of attendees living with dementia from Croes Atti Day Centre created an array of artworks depicting Flint’s historic landmarks, helping them reconnected with their personal histories.

Aims and Objectives

1. Enhance the wellbeing of individuals living with dementia through creative engagement.

Provide weekly art sessions over a 12-week period, led by local artist Sharon Wagstaff, to stimulate creativity and self-expression among participants aged 59-97.
Host the sessions at Croes Atti Day Centre, a familiar, safe and accessible environment where attendees already participate in daily activities, ensuring comfort and minimising disruption to their routine.
Utilise art as a therapeutic medium to evoke cherished memories, encouraging cognitive stimulation and emotional wellbeing.
Offer a supportive environment that promotes social interaction and reduces feelings of isolation among attendees.
Support the development and maintenance of fine motor skills through hands-on creative tasks such as drawing, painting and crafting.

2. Celebrate and Preserve the cultural heritage of Flint through community art.

Encourage participants to create artworks depicting Flint’s historic landmarks, facilitating a reconnection with their personal memories.
Encourage conversations about attractions and events that may no longer be present today but are remembered by attendees past experiences.
Exhibit the artworks as vinyl in the waiting room of Flint railway station making the art accessible to the broader community and honouring local heritage.
Invite notable local figures, such as Olympic champion Jade Jones, to the art sessions to inspire participants and strengthen community pride.

3. Integrate community art into public spaces to foster inclusivity and accessibility.

Transform the Flint railway station waiting room into a vibrant exhibition space that reflects the community’s history and culture.
Create a lasting legacy through the displayed artworks, contributing to the station’s additional role as a community hub and enhancing the travel experience for passengers.
Organise a public exhibition launch, attended by participants and their families, community members and officials, to celebrate the participants’ achievements and foster community pride.

Partners

Transport for Wales have part funded this project through their Challenge Fund which has been applied for by the Community Rail Partnership. Transport for Wales have also given permission for the artworks to be displayed at Flint railway station.
Sharon Wagstaff is a local artist who will be leading the art sessions.
Flintshire County Council and Croes Atti Day Centre where the art sessions will be held.
Groundwork North Wales are the host organisation for the Conwy Valley and North Wales Coast Community Rail Partnership and will oversee any financial transactions.
Broc Creative will scan the artwork onto vinyl and create a design that will be fitting for Flint railway station.

Delivery

SESSIONS

ATTENDEES

HOURS

One session saw British Olympic Champion who grew up in Flint, Jade Jones, visit the group inspiring them to create artwork based on her Olympic journey.

We discovered that Per (a Swedish attendee) had a flare for sketching in his early years. His wife sent his sketch pad to the session at Flint Library where it revealed some amazing sketches of Wolves from the late 1960’s. It was said that drawing was his passion but it didn’t pay well and therefore he had to pursue a career in the fishing industry.

The family of Rosemary (an attendee) said that her memory test score had improved since her last – she had been attending the art sessions in that space of time.

A launch event was held at Flint railway station in early December 2024 to unveil the completed artwork. Attending the event was Mayor of Flint Town Council, Melly Buckley and British Olympic Champion Jade Jones.