FASCINATING stories relating to Women’s History in Wales can now be read on mobile phones at a number of locations in Rhyl and Bodelwyddan.

The initiative celebrates International Women’s Day on Friday March 8.

QR codes displayed at each location connect to a page on the HistoryPoint’s website which explains that place’s connection to an individual, an event or a workplace.

Each of the pages has a Women’s History in Wales badge, which readers can click to discover the other locations and stories featured.

In Rhyl there are six HistoryPoint locations and one in Bodelwyddan.

The information is provided by the HistoryPoints project and some of its many contributors. It is available free, other than any data charges in mobile phone contracts. It can also be viewed on desktop or laptop computers on the HistoryPoints.org website.

Some of the featured stories shine a spotlight on work done by women in peacetime and wartime, ranging from gathering and selling cockles to bottling water, washing tourists’ clothes and sorting postage stamps for sale to collectors.

Others celebrate the work of pioneering women who helped shape current opportunities and expectations. In Rhyl they commemorate former Great Ormond Street matron Edith Vizard who ran the town’s children’s hospital for 35 years; writer Angharad Llwyd who won eisteddfod medals for her historical essays in the 19th century and in Bodelwyddan the Marble Church was built after Margaret Williams who persuaded the Bishop to create a new parish.

Some of the stories are about success in business, then male dominated, or great achievements in the arts, education, healthcare and sport. Some reveal the fates of women convicted of crimes, including witchcraft and murder. Others relate to women who lived long ago and became objects of veneration and myth.

Rhodri Clark, editor of HistoryPoints.org, said: “Since our project began in 2012, it has always been noticeable that achievements by men received more publicity, whether in historical records, contemporary press coverage or the creation of statues and other memorials.

“We hope that our collection of these locations linked to women’s history will help to redress the balance for local residents and visitors. The collection will grow as HistoryPoints continues to evolve.”

“All the information has been collated and made available to celebrate International Women’s Day.”

Ruth Pritchard, who has contributed many stories to the HistoryPoints project, also edits the website of Rhyl History Club. She said: "I'm always keen to look for stories about women becuase they are few and far between. In the olden days women didn't get the chance to do as many things as men.

"I was very pleased to find information about Edith Vizard, for instance."

Edith Vizard moved from Great Ormond Street children's hospital and was the Honorary Superintendent of Rhyl's Royal Alexandra Hospital for 35 years, until her death in April 1908. In her memory, a nurses' residence called the Edith Vizard Memorial Home was created.

The Women's History in Wales web page is available here: http://historypoints.org/index.php?page=womens-history-in-wales

Stories relating to women from the Conwy, Denbighshire, Anglesey, Gwynedd, Flintshire and Wrexham areas can also be found.