Local builders have been learning about the heritage building trade over a cup of tea and a bacon butty.
They were invited along to the newly launched Traditional Sustainable Building Centre, at the Canolfan Tywi Centre, Llandeilo, by the Tywi Afon Yr Oesoedd project team.
They were offered information on a range of heritage building skills, courses and workshops covering the likes of lime plastering, traditional carpentry and masonry techniques, over a hearty brunch.
Tywi Afon Yr Oesoedd (Tywi a River Through Time) is a partnership funded heritage project, led by Carmarthenshire County Council, which will create a legacy for future generations by safeguarding the valley’s rich and unique landscape, biodiversity and history.
Nell Hellier, traditional sustainable building centre officer, said: “Wales has a rich cultural heritage and its historic environment is one of its greatest assets. There are almost 500,000 pre-1919 buildings in Wales – almost one third of the building stock. “The materials, skills and attitude needed for work on older buildings are very different from those used in modern construction. There is a great shortage of these traditional skills, and there are real opportunities for companies to move in to this sector.”
The Tywi Afon Yr Oesoedd team were joined at the event by ConstructionSkills (corr), the National Heritage Training Group, Coleg Sir Gar and the Traditional Building Skills Bursary Scheme.
Builders had the opportunity to learn about training opportunities, qualifications and accreditations.
Cllr Clive Scourfield, executive board member for regeneration, said: “There are some fantastic courses available for building companies looking to diversify in to heritage building. We need a skilled workforce to preserve our historic buildings, and this was just one of the innovative ways the team have used to get local people interested. I heard the bacon butties went down well, and I hope that the day provided some food for thought for those who attended.”
The Tywi Afon Yr Oesoedd project has received £1.5 million from the Heritage Lottery Fund, £557,378 from the Rural Development Plan, and support from the Countryside Council for Wales, Menter Bro Dinefwr and National Trust.
It has already made great strides in the area by engaging with local people through a series of events planned under the four different elements of the project – volunteering, landscape and biodiversity, learning and interpretation and sustainable building.
For further information call the team on 01558 824271, or visit the Tywi Afon Yr Oesoedd pages on www.carmarthenshire.gov.uk
This project has received funding through the Rural Development Plan for Wales 2007-2013 which is funded by the Welsh Assembly Government and the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development.
