
Future of Colomendy outdoor centre near Mold to be decided
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 in March 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.
Now the local authority is to formally begin the process of securing the long-term future of the location in North East Wales. Administrators appointed to the business have confirmed the lease will be returned to Liverpool Council in a process known as disclaiming.
This will be signed off when cabinet members meet at Liverpool Town Hall next month. The Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) understands that since March, the keys have been handed over to the city on an informal basis.
An official options appraisal will now begin for the land. Representatives on both sides of the border have told the LDRS previously how they hope the site can be revived for the benefit of young people in Merseyside and North Wales.
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.
MORE NEWS
'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.'
The LDRS understands it would be the preferred option of Liverpool Council for an outdoor education firm to take on the lease. It is expected the full appraisal and handing over of terms to a preferred bidder could take up to 12 months.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Glasgow Times
16 hours ago
- Glasgow Times
Search underway for family of Paisley soldier who died in WW2
Sergeant Andrew Wilson, along with Pilot Sergeant John McCalla Tait, and Second Pilot James Archibald Wilson, died on July 19, 1943, after their Halifax MKII was shot down near Zelhem, Holland, during World War Two. The three men are buried at a cemetery in Doetinchem, Gelderland. Nathalie te Wilt, who lives in the area, adopted the graves of the three men back in March. The 31-year-old explained what inspired her to do so and why it is "vital" to find Wilson's family. She said: "I wanted to do something for these brave boys because they never had an official military tribute after their death, and went to visit them. "It is important we remember these boys who sacrificed themselves and fought so hard for the freedoms we have now. "I am not going to give up until Andrew is reunited with his family." Wilson, who was 26 when he died, lived at both 38 Lady Lane, and 76 George St in Paisley. READ NEXT: 'It was a shock': City centre pub forced to close as ceiling collapses READ NEXT: Our children's play area is a different experience but we were denied funding


BBC News
2 days ago
- BBC News
Leicester flats demolition plan reveals asbestos concerns
A disused block of flats in Leicester earmarked for demolition would have to be torn down by hand due to asbestos, planning documents Leys building off Upper Temple Walk in Beaumont Leys has been empty for seven years and fallen into a "state of disrepair", the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) City Council wants to demolish it to make way for 52 new homes on the site and on vacant land approved, the authority said it hoped the demolition could be completed in December. The building was bought by the city council in 2019, but two previous attempts to redevelop it came to nothing after building defects resulted in increased project application seeking demolition approval reveal concerns over asbestos in the building, which would need to be "handled carefully" and removed by a licensed company, said the building would need to be torn down by hand, while no crushing or burning of materials would be allowed on the site and no explosives can be used, the authority screening would also be installed to reduce dust impacting on the nearby school and council said it hoped a decision on whether to approve the demolition would be made by 5 September.


BBC News
2 days ago
- BBC News
World War Two veteran Henry Francis celebrates 100th birthday
A decorated World War Two veteran who carried out covert missions behind enemy lines has celebrated his 100th Charles Francis, known affectionately as 'H', served in both the Royal Navy and Royal Marines after joining up aged his birthday party, Mr Francis was presented with a personal letter from the First Sea Lord, General Sir Gwyn Jenkins, acknowledging his extraordinary daughter, Teresa Betton, said: "What he gave for this country, all the friends that he lost… I'm so proud of him. He tells the stories, but not all of them. He signed the secrets act and has stuck by it." Mr Francis' family said the day was deeply emotional as they recalled stories of his daring tale involved being dropped into the wrong location in what was then Yugoslavia and spending five days finding his way out before being greeted by General Josip Broz Tito, who later became president of the country. Mr Francis, who lives in South Gloucestershire, was awarded the Yugoslavian military medal, which is one of many honours he earned over the years. In his letter, Gen Jenkins paid tribute to the "truly courageous" covert operations carried out by Mr also referenced an incident in Burma when Mr Francis was injured by a bayonet before returning to the UK for a time to recover. Gen Jenkins said: "You are an incredible individual with an abundance of character, and you and all your generation are an inspiration to today's sailors and Royal Marines. "I am delighted to be able to send you the Royal Navy's best wishes for your 100th birthday."Asked for the secret to a long life, Mr Francis replied: "Before you argue with a man, make sure you can handle him."