St Asaph, in North Wales, was officially granted city status on March 14, 2012, as part of Queen Elizabeth II's Diamond Jubilee. With a population of around 3,500, it is now the second-smallest city in the UK, surpassed only by St Davids in Pembrokeshire, which is home to around 1,600 residents. Despite its title, locals in St Asaph don't feel like they live in a city and remain proud of their village-like community.
Locals proud of village feel
"It's so funny as everyone here is so proud that we're a city but if it felt like a city people wouldn't like it," Jackie Freak, the Business Development and Administration Officer for St Asaph Cathedral, said during a visit to the city. The 46-year-old says the city has "such a lovely and quiet atmosphere" while offering convenient transport links across North Wales and into England. It takes around 50 minutes to drive to Liverpool and 40 minutes to Chester.
"We're so close to the A55 that it's so convenient to get anywhere from here. We're really well linked," she explained. There are several housing estates and residential developments in the city, including the new Maes yr Haul, a 130-home estate, as well as Bryn Gobaith Heights. Ms Freak believes St Asaph will become increasingly popular as a commuter city.
Flood brought community together
A month after being awarded city status, St Asaph was hit by a devastating flood when the River Elwy burst its banks. The natural disaster came after weeks of torrential rain and was considered the worst flooding event to hit the region in generations. Up to 500 homes were evacuated while over 400 properties were entirely submerged under waist-high water. Tragically, 91-year-old resident Margaret Hughes lost her life after drowning in her own home.
Despite the adversity, residents believe the flood brought the community closer together. They say that is what makes the city such a unique and special place today. "After the flood in 2012, this city just came together," 60-year-old Joanne Ellison says. "Every neighbour and every person came together and looked after each other. That's part of why it's such a special place now. That community spirit has stayed with us ever since. We've been through a unique experience together."
Community spirit and royal visits
Rosalind Williams, the Mayor of St Asaph, adds that "there is an enormous amount of heart packed into our little city". According to her, what "makes St Asaph really special to me is the community that has grown up around it". "It's the children growing up here and the wonderful schools they attend. It's our football, cricket, netball and bowls clubs, our churches, cafés, pubs and restaurants, independent businesses, charities and community groups," she explained passionately.
King Charles III and Queen Camilla visited St Asaph to attend the historic Royal Maundy Service at the cathedral on April 2 this year. The event marked the first time the 800-year-old tradition was held in North Wales. Gareth Davies, a Member of the Senedd (MS) for the Vale of Clwyd, says: "The cathedral is a crucial part of the city. I think people know of the city because of the cathedral. The King visited us earlier this year. We've had the Prince of Wales and the Queen visit over the years too. It helps put us on the map."
Lack of amenities noted by residents
While some locals enjoy the quiet nature of St Asaph, others believe it has some drawbacks. The city no longer has any traditional high street bank branches, with the HSBC shutting in 2013 and NatWest in 2015. "There isn't an awful lot here, it's pretty quiet really," Peter Jones, who has lived in St Asaph his whole life, says. "We don't have a bookies, a bank or even a train station. I use the post office for my services as I don't bank or shop online."
Yveline Hands agrees that St Asaph feels more like a town or village than a city. She particularly enjoys the scenery of the local area, offering the perfect opportunity for long country walks. "It's very scenic and it's popular for walkers and dog walkers," the 73-year-old says. "I do quite a lot of photography and from that point of view its great. It feels more like a town or a village but it's the cathedral that gives it city status. Of course, the cathedral is beautiful. You can walk or cycle down the river for ages and see all the wildlife. It's very accessible."
Ms Ellison adds that "there's more going on here than people think". She cites the St Asaph Music Festival, officially known as the North Wales International Music Festival, as one of the biggest events in the town. The music festival, founded in 1972 by the distinguished Welsh composer William Mathias, is an annual event. It features a host of orchestral concerts, including appearances by the BBC National Orchestra of Wales, vocal ensembles and the Pendine Young Musician of Wales competition.
While St Asaph is officially a city, it certainly feels more like a small rural town or village. That being said, the locals love their home and are proud to call it a city.
