A TREASURE hoard has gone on public display in Wrexham.

The Bronington Hoard, the medieval treasures named after the area they were found in, has now gone on permanent display at Wrexham Museum.

Buried some time after 1465 the hoard consists of 52 coins and a magnificent sapphire ring. It was discovered by a local metal detecting club between 2013 and 2017 near Whitewell, Bronington.

The coins date from the reign of Edward I through to Edward IV and consist of four gold nobles, silver groats, half groats and silver pennies. The gold ring contains a deep blue sapphire, worn perhaps to expel evil.

This is the first hoard of its kind to have been discovered in the Wrexham area.

The Museum has worked alongside the local community as part of its ‘Buried in the Borderlands’ project, and local people were shown parts of the hoard at various locations including Penley Rainbow Centre in November last year.

There was also a chance for younger ones to get involved and Bronington VA School and St. Chad’s VA Primary School pupils worked with Sophie Mckeand, Wales’ Young Person’s Laureate creating poems.

The museums Knit and Stitch volunteers created 15th Century costumes for visitors by expert Sarah Thursfield, a medieval tailor’s assistant; whilst Maelor volunteers, David and Jill Burton, researched the historical period locally and assisted with the tour.

Councillor Hugh Jones, lead member for communities, partnerships, public protection and community safety, said: “We are very grateful to the Saving Treasure Telling Stories project for supporting this fantastically worthwhile project, there is little chance that the museum would have been able to acquire such a valuable discovery without the financial support provided by the scheme.

"It also allowed a large number of people to be involved with our medieval heritage through an amazing variety of different ways from poetry to costume. All in all I’m sure it has been a worthwhile experience for all concerned."

The project has been funded by the Saving Treasures: Telling Stories scheme developed by Amgueddfa Cymru National Museum Wales and the Federation of Museums and Galleries in Wales and funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund. The project has both funded the hoards acquisition by Wrexham Museum as well as the project elements.