Day 2 in Wrexham was a day to delve into history.

First up was a visit to the Wrexham Miners Project, housed in the former Miners Rescue Station. Michael Hett shared the history of the Wrexham Miners Project, which commemorates the Gresford Mining Disaster of 1934. On September 22, 1934, 480 men were at work at the Gresford Colliery, located just a few miles north of Wrexham. An early morning explosion, believed to have been triggered by the accidental ignition of a large pocket of methane gas, trapped and killed many of the workers underground. As described in Wrexham Miners Project history, "Tragically, 266 miners lost their lives in the disaster, making it one of the deadliest mining accidents in British history." Michael's delivery of the story was powerful and moving.

Next, we visited various landmarks in the town, including the Parish Church of St. Giles. In its present form, the church dates mainly from the late 1400s to the early 1500s. The tower was completed in 1506. It was a beautiful and historic structure.

We stopped by Vault 33, a new wine bar built in what was once a bank. Former Wrexham football player Neil Roberts, who owns the establishment, took Shane and me on a tour of the old bank vault that has been repurposed to house beer kegs and stock for the bar. A mural in the bar represents the history and importance of football in Wrexham. Neil's vision for Vault 33 reflects respect for history while making something old new again.

That sentiment of respecting the past while living in the present is echoed throughout the town, including in Wayne Jones' The Turf pub. Believed to have been built between 1840 and 1844, The Turf is located next to the Racecourse Ground, home of the Wrexham AFC football club. The Turf has served as a gathering place for everyone participating in the Terry Fox Wrexham Run, and Wayne has been a delightful host and visible supporter of the run. This afternoon, his team treated us to poutine, a nod to the Canadian roots of many in the delegation. Later, we entered the Racecourse Ground, the world’s oldest international football stadium.

As we explored the town of Wrexham, we continued to meet incredible people. One of the unexpected pleasures of the trip has been getting to know many members of the Terry Fox Wrexham Run delegation, including the leader of our merry band, Neil Johnson. Shane and I will take away so many wonderful memories from this weekend, in no small part to Neil and his team.