Community Engagement and Feedback

At the Amlwch Industrial Heritage Trust (AIHT), we believe that the Copper Kingdom belongs not just to history, but to the people of Amlwch and the wider communities of Anglesey. As we embark on our journey to establish a permanent home at Parys Mountain, our most important partners are the local residents, visitors, and students who will breathe life into this new center.

Listening to Your Voices

Over the past year, we have taken meaningful steps to ensure that our project is shaped by local voices . We have “gotten out there” to meet you at events like the Amlwch Viking Festival and joined up with local groups such as Môn Walkers to share our vision and hear your ideas firsthand.

In August 2025, we launched a bilingual community survey to formally capture your hopes for the site. The response was immediate and encouraging, with 126 responses providing a clear mandate for our plans. Key findings from our community included:

• Deep Local Connection: Over 70% of respondents were local residents, and 94% were already regular visitors to Parys Mountain.
• Strong Cultural Identity: There is a powerful interest in heritage, outdoor experiences, and Welsh culture.
• Practical Needs: You told us that the mountain needs facilities to improve the visitor experience, specifically a café, toilets, guided tours, and educational exhibits.

Inspiring the Next Generation

We are especially committed to involving young voices in the design of their future heritage center. This autumn, we are launching creative workshops in local schools to allow children to co-create ideas for the future exhibition spaces. By involving students in the design process, we ensure the museum remains a relevant and inspiring space for the next generation.

A Hub for the Whole Community

Our vision for the new Visitor and Learning Centre is based on a “hub-and-spoke” model, designed to be a meeting base for diverse local activity. We want to provide space for:

• Local partnership activity, including the Parys Underground Group and geology enthusiasts.
• Creative and social meets, ranging from photography and craft courses to “guerrilla granny-knitters” and social clubs to address isolation.
• Active lifestyle support, providing a much-needed café stop for cyclists and hikers.

Reconnecting Through Technology

Feedback also highlighted an interest in more modern ways to experience history. We are planning to digitize our heritage collection and use augmented reality (AR) to allow the public to virtually explore the underground tunnels and shafts of the mountain. This approach will not only widen our reach but also help upskill local people in digital technology.

The support from our community, local leaders, and heritage champions has been deeply encouraging. Your thoughts and hopes for this project are vital; this is your heritage, and together, we will build a landmark destination that celebrates our unique industrial legacy and natural beauty.