Wrexham has become the seventh city in Wales after securing the prestigious status through a competition run as part of the Queen's Platinum Jubilee celebrations. The official ‘Letter Patent’ confirms the award from today, September 1, meaning Wrexham is now part of an exclusive club which already features Cardiff, Swansea, Newport, Bangor, St Davids and St Asaph.
The competition to receive civic honours was last run 10 years ago to mark the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee, when St Asaph was bestowed with the honour. A decade later it's Wrexham's turn, an award that feels all the sweeter given that three previous bids - made in 2000, 2002 and 2012 - proved unsuccessful.
But with city status now official, many will be thankful that Wrexham Council’s executive board unanimously agreed last December to have another crack at securing the honour. The Platinum Jubilee Civic Honours Competition required applicants to demonstrate how their unique communities and distinct local identity meant they deserved to be awarded city status.
