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Over the past 18 months a series of free courses aimed at protecting North East Wales’ building heritage has proved a huge success for its organisers.

The courses, held in Denbighshire, Flintshire and Wrexham, were introduced by Cadwyn Clwyd Rural Development Agency in partnership with Northern Marches Cymru.  They were unique in that they offered free taster sessions on various traditional buildings skills showing how to sympathetically renovate historic buildings. 

Adam Bishop, co-ordinator of the training days, says, “We knew, through discussions with the conservation officers in the area, that there were a significant number of historic buildings in the region in need of sensitive renovation.

“The problem we found was that there was a shortage of people who could use traditional buildings skills.  Very often people choose to modernise an old building rather than maintain its historic character.  Making people aware of the fundamental differences between modern buildings and construction techniques and older buildings and traditional building skills was one of the main objectives of these courses.  It has been especially encouraging that so many homeowners have taken time to come and find out about the traditional ways of looking after and renovating their homes.”

Problems encountered in the region included lack of knowledge of traditional lime products and techniques, the extensive use of cement renders, unsympathetic treatment of historic joinery and glazing, lack of care to historic brick and stone work, limited knowledge of the causes of dampness in buildings and a general desire to replace rather than repair.

The project ran 28 courses which have seen well over 200 individuals receive hands-on tuition in re-pointing with lime mortars, lime plastering, using traditional finishes, diagnosing damp, external joinery, stone conservation and brickwork repair.  The courses attracted a diverse audience – builders, architects, surveyors, plasterers, painters, interior designers, conservation officers, homeowners and students.

Some of the buildings which have already benefited from use of traditional building methods in their renovation are Tŷ Coch barn in Llangynhafal, Denbighshire, a 15th century timber framed cruck barn which has been converted into office accommodation, and Nantclwyd y Dre, a 15th century timber framed house in Ruthin, Denbighshire, which has been carefully restored and is now open to the public.  Both these buildings have received Green Apple Built Environment and Architectural Heritage Awards for Environmental Best Practice.  Nantclwyd y Dre has also been awarded the Welsh Building Conservation Award for 2008 from the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS).

The project has been led by Cadwyn Clwyd in participation with Northern Marches Cymru as part of LEADER+ - a European funded programme which promotes the development of rural areas by encouraging long-term innovative strategies for sustainable development.  Financial support has also been provided by the three councils involved – Wrexham, Flintshire and Denbighshire.

For further information, please go to www.cadwynclwyd.co.uk.