Ruthin Grammar School, Mold Road, Ruthin

Won in Competition by Douglas and Fordham. 14 designs submitted including those by Robert Grierson, architect. Masonic Chambers, Bangor; R. Lloyd Williams. Denbigh; T. Lewis Banks and T. Locke Worthington, 23, Queen Anne’s-gate, Westminster.

RUTHIN SCHOOL - These buildings are being erected on an extensive and commanding site on the Mold Road, which overrlooks the Vale of Clwyd and the Clwydian range of hills. A central tower will contain the principal entrance to the school buildings proper, which consist of a spacious dining hall on the right, and on the left a suite of classrooms - one being used as a headmaster's classroom and library, and a laboratory with all requisite appliances. There will be a side entrance on the west, and two of these classrooms are so arranged that they can be thrown into one as an assembly room, but it is hoped at a future time that the large schoolroom will be built as originally intended. There will be dormitories above for 32 boarders, and, with day boys, 100 can be accommodated. Under master’s rooms are included in the plan, also lavatories, bathrooms, and all the modern appliances of a first-class school, with a set of rooms entirely isolated if illness should ever make it a necessity to use them. The headmaster’s house, which communicates with the school corridor, is situated at the eastern end of the main building and is conveniently planned for his use and the service of the school. The grounds in front will afford very ample space for cricket and other sports. Col. Cornwallis West has generously granted the use of the stone from his local quarry for the walling of the whole of the buildings, and Helsby stone is being worked in the windows and dressings of the principal fronts. The style adopted is that which is characteristic of English and Welsh collegiate buildings, the master's house being of a more domestic type. The roof will be, covered with Welsh slates—Assheton Smith, Esq being the generous donor of half of those required. Mr Thomas Browne of Chester is the contractor for the whole of the work Mr A H Davies the clerk of works: and Messrs Douglas and Fordham are the architects, under whose superintendence it. is being erected. [Denbighshire Free Press 15 August 1891 page 5]

Reference    Denbighshire Free Press 19 May 1888 page 4 – architectural competition announced.
Reference    North Wales Advertiser 14 July 1888 page 8 – special meeting of governors
Reference    Denbighshire Free Press 6 October 1888 page 4 - Douglas and Fordham selected
Reference    Denbighshire Free Press 27 July 1889 page 5 – building contracts
Reference    Denbighshire Free Press 15 August 1891 page 5-6 – foundation stone ceremony