University celebrates new Honorary Fellows in recognition of service to communities in North Wales

Date: Thursday, April 17, 2025

Two remarkable individuals and a community and cultural preservation charity have been awarded Honorary Fellowships from Wrexham University, in recognition of their significant contributions to North Wales.

As part of the institution’s graduation ceremonies this week, the University bestowed Honorary Fellowships to Wrexham Miners’ Project in recognition of services to heritage, culture and the wider community; Lord Barry Jones for his support to the University and lifelong commitment to public service; and Rachel Clacher CBE in recognition of services to business and the wider community.

The University confers Honorary Fellowships upon individuals in recognition of their significant commitment to the University and the wider community.

The first Honorary Fellowship to be awarded this week was a collective award to the Wrexham Miners’ Project. This was the first time that the University has awarded a collective Honorary Fellowship to a group.

Humphrey Ker, Patron for the Wrexham Miners Project and Director of Wrexham AFC.

During presentation of the prestigious award, the Project’s strong connection to the region’s industrial past – drawing a direct line from the Gresford Colliery Disaster of 1934 to the present day – was highlighted.

The Fellowship recognises the Project’s journey, from the restoration of the Miners’ Rescue Station to its evolution into a community hub. The site now hosts the developing Miners’ Museum, vibrant arts initiatives, and learning programmes that support individuals of all backgrounds and abilities.

A number of representatives from the Wrexham Miners’ Project were present at the ceremony, including Keith Hett – the last miner to come out from Bersham pit when it closed.

As part of the ceremony, the Wrexham Miners Project presented the University with a Miners’ Safety Lamp – a symbolic gesture recognising the rich history of mining in the region, and marking the beginning of a deepening relationship with the institution.

Patron for the Wrexham Miners Project, actor Humphrey Ker said: “On behalf of the Wrexham Miners Project, I’d like to thank Wrexham University for this tremendous honour.

“This recognition is not only a tribute to our work, but a celebration of the strong ties between our charity and the University. We’re proud to offer a wide range of volunteering and placement opportunities for students across multiple disciplines, and we’re excited to deepen this relationship moving forward.

“Our doors are always open. We extend a warm invitation to all students and academic staff to pop over to the Rescue Café—there’s always a warm welcome waiting.”

During the ceremony, Mr Ker, who is also Director of Wrexham AFC, said: “At the football club, we often talk about our desire to be good neighbours to the people of Wrexham, and here today at the University, and the work that I’m very honoured to be part of with Wrexham Miners’ Project, I’ve been blessed to see two fantastic neighbours.

“To be here today to see this coming together, this union of two organisations that do so much wonderful work for the people of Wrexham is a huge honour and to take off my football club hat for a second and put back on my Wrexham Miners’ Project hat, just from the bottom of our hearts thank you to the University for this recognition.

“It’s a tremendous honour, not only to receive this Fellowship but also to be here today with all the graduands, congratulations and well done – you did it.”

On Wednesday, Lord Barry Jones became an Honorary Fellow of the University, after a long-standing relationship with the institution, having been appointed to be the first President of one of the University’s predecessor institutions – NEWI – in 2007. As President, Lord Jones was instrumental in the institution being granted university status and he became the first Chancellor of Wrexham Glyndwr University.

To this day, Lord Jones remains a loyal supporter and powerful advocate of the University.

Lord Jones’ public service career spans more than five decades, having served as Labour MP for East Flintshire from 1970 to 1983, and then Alyn and Deeside until 2001.

Now, at the age of 86, he remains an active member of the House of Lords and travels to London most weeks to vote. He is also president of the Mersey Dee Alliance and is a powerful advocate for young people in North Wales.

Lord Barry Jones

Lord Jones said: “It’s a great privilege and an honour to receive a Fellowship from Wrexham University today – an institution, which I have had strong links to for a number of years.

“Today, Wrexham University stands ever taller in North East Wales – with its warm-hearted approach that reaches both near and far. The University is proud of its history and our heritage – and very much aware of the last century’s developments of coal and steel, while also looking ahead and opening the door evermore widely.

“It is an institution that understands that businesses need skills – and is working hard to provide them for our region.”

The final Honorary Fellowship of the week to be conferred today was Ms Clacher MBE, co-founder of Moneypenny and founder of charity, WeMindTheGap, which serves the young people of Wrexham, Flintshire and Cheshire with a host of holistic programmes that changes futures for young people.

Rachel Clacher CBE being presented with her Honorary Fellowship.

Earlier this year, the University’s Civic Mission team joined forces with the charity on the latest ‘Big Conversation’ to find out directly from young people aged 18-21 in Flintshire, what life is like for them and what might make it better.

The report that has been produced, following on from that engagement, is now shaping the way national partners such as Big Lottery work with young people.

Speaking about being named as one of the University’s Honorary Fellows, Rachel said: "I’m truly honoured and delighted to receive an Honorary Fellowship from Wrexham University.

“It means so much to be recognised by an institution that sits at the heart of our city—one known for its care, support, and inclusive approach to education, and for offering courses that reflect the realities of today’s world.

“I’m deeply grateful for all the opportunities Wrexham has given me: from helping me find incredible people to join the Moneypenny team, to providing a welcoming home for our charity.

“Now, I hope to give back by helping bring our city together around bold, brave ambitions for our shared future. To do that, we’ll need radical collaboration—and the University’s team has already shown what’s possible. Their work with WeMindTheGap on The Big Conversation about young people is just the beginning. Who knows where we might go together from here?”