THE death of a popular town councillor has led to calls for a Deeside museum to be created inside a school that is due to be demolished.
Keen historian Cllr Robert Victor Williams, known as Vic, died in February after a long illness.
Connah’s Quay Town Council was told at its meeting this week that in his will the 74-year-old, who wrote many books on the history of Deeside, had left the council his local history collection.
A letter from Mr Williams’ son, Gareth, was read at the meeting. It said: “Connah’s Quay Town Council was regarded as an extended family to my father” and that the collection left to them included “eight plastic crates of collectable items”.
Councillors decided they should use the donation from Mr Williams, a former chairman of the town council, as a prompt to call for a museum or heritage centre in the town.
Connah’s Quay councillor Aaron Shotton said: “I think we should be very grateful that he has collected this for the young people to learn about the history of the town in the future.
“There are many people out there who have approached many of us to say they would like somewhere in the town to which they could bequeath such historical artefacts. I really think we have a duty to showcase these items and accept them with the gratitude they deserve.
“I think in Vic’s memory we’ve got to dedicate a campaign for a heritage centre or a museum.”
Cllr Shotton suggested a good site for a museum would be Custom House Lane Junior School, which dates back to the 1800s.
The school is due to be demolished when a new school, currently being built, opens next year.
Cllr Bernie Attridge said: “It is time we wrote to the county council to say how much we would like part of Custom House school to be set aside to showcase the collection.”
Anyone who has any knowledge or items that could help the town council in its quest for a Deeside museum is asked to call them on 01244 819420.