Mark Lewis Jones at Wrexham theatre for film premiere

The Stiwt, in Rhos has been a landmark in Wrexham for almost a century. Originally opened in 1926 as a theatre, library, and community rooms, it has been a source of entertainment and pride to the community for generations. However, like many historical buildings, it has had its share of struggles over the years.

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In the 1990s, the newly formed Stiwt Arts and Leisure Trust was given access to the building to make it safe for work to be carried out. It had been closed since the 1970s.

One of their biggest challenges was dealing with the effects of stolen lead from the roof, which had allowed water to enter the building and damage the flooring. The parquet flooring had swollen, causing the floor to rise and form a five-foot hump in the auditorium's centre. The rows of seats, which were originally bolted to the ground, had been lifted with the floor.

Inside the Stiwt in Rhos. Photo courtesy of Friends of the Stiwt

Another issue was the condition of the Art Deco lights hanging precariously from the roof. The coloured glass was so black that no light could shine through them, and the metal frame was swollen with rust. Any further rusting could have caused the glass panels to crack.

Fortunately, David Jones, a member of the Trust, now a member of the Board of Trustees, was a teacher at Ysgol Rhiwabon's technical studies department. David, along with fellow teacher Dave Hughes, enlisted the help of Ysgol Rhiwabon pupils to restore the lights.

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Over several weeks, the team of students and teachers painstakingly cleaned the lights by giving up their lunchtimes and spending time after-school. They removed all the rust from the metal frame using wire brushes and emery cloth. Fortunately, the rust had not structurally weakened the frame. The team spray-primed the frame and then returned the lights to their original colour by spraying them bronze.

The glass panels proved to be a bigger task than expected. Although one side was smooth, the other side had a sharp, textured surface designed to diffuse light and give a sparkling effect. The team used toothbrushes and small washing-up brushes to gently remove the grime without breaking off the sharp points on the surface of the glass.

One of the restored Art Deco lights at the Stiwt in Rhos. Photo courtesy of Friends of the Stiwt

Once restored, the lights were safely stored, ready to be returned to the Stiwt once the planned renovation and remodelling had been completed.

David said: "The pupils did an incredible job, and the Stiwt Arts and Leisure Trust is grateful for their efforts in saving the lights.

"It's amazing to think that some of these students may have visited the theatre over the years, and we wonder if they recognise the lights they helped restore."

Fast forward to today, the Stiwt auditorium has again been refurbished, and the Friends of the Stiwt recently helped polish up, and vacuum the seats and carpets, while the management and tech team serviced the lighting, including the restored Art Deco lights in the newly painted auditorium.

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David added: "It was a community effort that brings back memories of the past and a reminder that it takes everyone's support to keep our heritage alive. The Stiwt Theatre is still going strong and remains an important part of the community.

"Some people have been involved since 1990 and still keep going. It's a struggle and run by volunteers but I can't imagine Rhos without the Stiwt, it's always been here.

"We have however had our best year for panto. About 9,600 people have been to see it this year, with a few schools coming to us for the first time too."

The theatre is now set to welcome one of the community's famous sons for a special event next month.

Inside the Stiwt in Rhos. Photo courtesy of Friends of the Stiwt

Actor and Rhos-born Mark Lewis Jones will attend the premiere of Welsh language film, Y Sŵn, in which he stars, on March 21. The screening will be followed by a Q&A session with the Gangs of London and Keeping Faith actor. Checkout the 'what's on' section of the theatre's website stiwt.com - for details.

The film depicts one of the most colourful chapters of modern Welsh history: Margaret Thatcher swept to power in 1979 with a manifesto that promised to establish a Welsh language television channel. Months into her premiership, she reneged on her promise and sparked protests in Wales. Against a backdrop of civil disobedience, the iconic politician Gwynfor Evans vows to starve to death unless the government changes its mind.

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General manager at the Stiwt, Rhys Davies said: "We're quite friendly with Mark, we know him as a friend, so I imagine there will be quite a bit of banter.

"We've always done pretty well at the Stiwt with Welsh language productions these days, with capacity audiences for quite a few."

If you want to know more about the Friends of the Stiwt or to join, visit stiwt.com/friends-of-the-stiwt or phone Eirian on 01978 841300.