News

Heritage sites welcome ecological growth

Following months of coronavirus lockdown, the lack of footfall at Wales’s historical sites has allowed nature to thrive — and we plan to continue maximising on-site plant and animal life in the future.

Planned environmental works designed to support ecological growth will take place at Caerphilly Castle, Rhuddlan Castle and Blaenavon Ironworks.

From the planting of wildflower meadows and pollinator havens to the installation of bat and bird boxes in surrounding trees, the works will mark an ecological awakening at some of our most iconic monuments.

Working in partnership with independent ecological consultancy, BSG Ecology, bespoke plans at Caerphilly Castle include the reintroduction of native wildflowers to the vast greenery of the urban site and the limitation of grass-mowing to attract essential pollinators, from butterflies to bees.

Meanwhile, a visual transformation of the water-filled moat is planned. Weakened by erosion in recent years, the banks will be strengthened by the growth of native pondedge plants such as Yellow Flag Iris and Purple Loosestrife — adding a splash of colour to the fortress grounds.

Wildlife will also benefit from the planned works, with the introduction of water-side perches to increase foraging opportunities for kingfishers, floating rafts on the surface of the moat for nesting and the addition of bat and bird boxes among the trees.

Senior Ecologist at BSG Ecology, Caroline O’Rourke, said: ‘Although it will take a few years to see the real benefit of the planned ecology works at Caerphilly Castle, we hope that it will help to create an attractive, diverse and ecologically resilient space for education and amenity — a place where visitors can both enjoy and interact with nature whilst exploring the castle.

‘Once it’s safe to do so, we also hope to invite the local community to assist with a series of hands-on tasks, such as building bee boxes and planting wildflowers around the grounds.’

Similar opportunities have been identified at a number of other heritage sites across Wales. These include letting the grass grow to re-establish wildflower meadows on the riverbanks of Rhuddlan Castle and sowing wildflowers along the borders of Blaenavon Ironworks.

Deputy Minister for Culture, Sport and Tourism, Lord Elis-Thomas, said: ‘As Wales and the wider world experiences this unprecedented pandemic, it is wonderful to know that, meanwhile, nature has thrived.

‘Flora and fauna are a natural part of the history of our sites and this recent period of decreased footfall has offered a perfect opportunity to plan for nurturing their influence, enhance the visitor experience and deliver our biodiversity obligations for Wales’s future.’

Unloved Heritage?

Over the last three years, as part of the Unloved Heritage? project, young people across Wales have been investigating, documenting and interpreting the heritage sites on their doorsteps. The project is coming to a close in spring 2021, but here are just some examples of what has been achieved and where you can see it: • In Blaenrhondda, Fernhill Colliery was researched and then rebuilt in Minecraft. ‘MineRhondda’ — available to download from digventures.com/projects/unlovedheritage/ — was informed by visits to the archives, oral history interviews and archaeological excavation. A heritage trail created within the digital world will show you the most interesting bits! • The stories of Dorothea Quarry take centre-stage in

‘Graen’, an augmented-reality app designed and created by young people in Dyffryn Nantlle. Available for both iOS and Android, Graen is free to download and will take you around the footpath in the quarry, sharing some of the group’s research along the way. • Investigations into a derelict rural farmhouse form the basis of a publication produced by a group in Ceredigion.

Using photographs, quotes, archival research and memories, the book records the house and the participants’ experiences of it. A digital copy will be available to download from rcahmw.gov.uk.

On the People’s Collection website — peoplescollection. wales/users/29411 — you will find photography, artwork, films and 3D models produced as a result of Unloved Heritage? The project will also be collecting together the material produced to host on their own website — unlovedheritage.wales — all of which may provide inspiration for other groups who want to investigate their own local area.

The legacy of Unloved Heritage? is much more than just the content that has been produced; it’s about what has been learnt from working with young people over the past three years — the emerging ideas and activities that can be used by heritage, arts and cultural organisations across Wales to continue to engage this group in heritage.

To mark the end of the project, an online/physical event will be held in February 2021. If you’d like to get involved, please email polly.groom@gov. wales for further information.

The 'Graen' app, developed by participants of the Unloved Heritage? project, enables users to learn more about Dorothea Quarry, Gwynedd. Unloved Heritage? was funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund.

Green Heritage Site Accreditation

Cadw is pleased to be endorsing Keep Wales Tidy’s Green Heritage Site Accreditation. This is awarded to public green spaces that achieve Green Flag Award standards and where the heritage value of the park, garden or green space is actively understood, identified, managed and promoted. Sites that have already attained Green Heritage Site Accreditation include Bryngarw Country Park (Bridgend), Bedwellty House and Park (Blaenau Gwent), Bute Park (Cardiff), Cathays Cemetery (Cardiff), Margam Park (Neath Port Talbot), Belle Vue Park (Newport), St Fagans Museum (Cardiff), Great Orme Country Park (Conwy) and Wrexham Cemetery.

Any site that is at least 30 years old, of local or national historic interest or contains features of historic interest is eligible. For further information and to apply, please visit keepwalestidy.cymru