A historic Swansea castle will soon be given an upgrade that will include major conservation works and 21st Century visitor facilities.
Plans for a £2.3 million makeover of Oystermouth Castle have now been approved and a contractor has been appointed for the scheme.
The scheme will conserve the castle’s structure, open up access and generate a better visitor experience with the development of interpretation and other features.
Events and tours at the castle will also be improved and a Castle Community Coordinator will be appointed to encourage community and volunteer participation and increase links with the castle and the local community.
Oystermouth Castle has fallen into disrepair in recent times and about 50 per cent of the attraction is now closed off to visitors. The aim of the upgrade is to give visitors access to 95 per cent of the castle and create 20,000 additional tourism visits annually on completion of the works in 2012.
Funding for the scheme has come from the Heritage Lottery Fund, CADW, European Convergence funding and Swansea Council. Key to the success of the scheme is the continued active involvement of The Friends of Oystermouth Castle– a group of committed volunteers that manages the day to day running of the castle.
Jennifer Stewart, of the Heritage Lottery Fund, said: “Fundamental to the success of heritage attractions is the experience it offers the visitor. We’ve supported this project because it will focus on making the heritage relevant for both tourists and communities to enjoy through improved access, enhanced interpretation and increased opportunities for volunteers to get actively involved.”
Swansea Council’s Beyond Bricks and Mortar policy that encourages local training and local employment opportunities forms part of the scheme.
Llanelli-based WRW contractors won the contract to complete the conservation work and will open up about four apprentice placements largely sourced through the West Workway’s project that engages with the unemployed and economically inactive.
Work will start in the autumn and the castle will be closed as usual during the winter months.
It’s hoped the new visitor facilities will be ready by spring and the castle will reopen to the public as usual in April.
Cllr Graham Thomas, Swansea Council’s Cabinet Member for Culture, Recreation and Tourism, said: “It’s vital we look to the future in Swansea but it’s equally important we celebrate our proud heritage and this is why schemes of this nature should be welcomed.
“Oystermouth Castle is one of our historical gems and this scheme means the attraction will be conserved for future generations and will offer a visitor experience that’s befitting of the 21st Century.
“It’s also encouraging that local contractors have been appointed to lead the scheme and this will mean jobs for local people in this tough economic climate.”
Oystermouth Castle was founded by William de Londres in the early 12th Century. Its origins are in the Norman conquest of Wales and it has visible remains from as long as 900 years ago.
Volunteers needed to play part in castle upgrade
The Friends of Oystermouth Castle are looking for volunteers to play a part in safeguarding their local heritage.
There is currently a 24-strong group of committed volunteers ranging in age from 20 to 77-years-old who manage the day-to-day running of the castle.
And The Friends of Oystermouth Castle (FOC) now need more volunteers to help visitors make the most of their experience by acting as tour guides and other roles.
Roger Parmiter, the FOC Chair who’s been volunteering for the last 13 years, said: “I was attending a Welsh History course at Swansea University and Oystermouth Castle formed part of my selected project work and, following a meeting, I was invited to join. It’s now 13 years on and I haven’t looked back.
“I’ve met people from all over the world through my work as a volunteer and every day is different. All new volunteers would be trained as guides on every feature of the castle and its history. First time visitors want to know lots of details about the history of the castle and that’s where we can help. Overseas tourists will often ask who the Normans were, for example.
“Aside from tourists we also give guided tours to schools, diverse groups and organisations. We even put on medieval re-enactments for the public with our own living history group called Gwerin o Gwyr.
“With so much going on at the castle now is a great time to get involved. There are opportunities to meet and work with archaeologists, historians and researchers and learn new skills. But what’s more it’s a great way to meet new people and we do have a lot of fun.”
Jennifer Stewart, Head of HLF in Wales, said: “Volunteers play a vital role in making the projects we invest in happen. Visitors want to experience our culture and our way of life. The best people to interpret our heritage for visitors are the men and women who live here and who take pride in the heritage that surrounds them on a daily basis. These people truly help to enhance the visitor experience and we are really pleased that there is already such enthusiasm within FOC.
Oystermouth Castle is the largest castle open to the public in Swansea and this is the chance for local people to play a part in taking their local heritage forward.”
For information on how to get involved contact the Chairman on [email protected] or the Secretary on [email protected]
Visit www.hlf.org.uk for more information about HLF projects in your area.
