A1256673189FKWoG

1

• Conservation of Oystermouth Castle.
• Works to date.
• What happens next.
• Queries answered.

2

• First Norman fort built at Oystermouth.
• 1136.Welsh attacks probably destroy this castle.
• 1203. King John gave the lordship of Gower to
• William De Braeos . It is probable
  that he built a castle.
• 1215. Oystermouth Castle was attacked and burned
  by Rhys Gryg.
• 1241 William De Braeos (grandson of William De
  Braeos) a second castle was built
• 1256 destroyed by the Welsh under Llewellyn ap
  Gruffydd.
• William then built a much stronger castle with
  military potential and entertained King Edward I
  in 1284.

3
1320 Lady Alina De Breos and her husband John
De Mowbray lived at the castle and made great
improvements including fine windows. 1396
valued at 600 1403 Welsh rising under Owain
Glendwr locals burned down the castle 1432
valued at 12.00
A fine manor at Oystermouth 1287
4
1650 Oystermouth Castle given to Oliver Cromwell
an old decayed castle.
1847 A romantic ivy covered ruin. so much
hidden by ivy that its outlines were barely
distinguishable. Archaelogia Cambrensis.
5
Miserable , filthy and almost unapproachable.
Colonal Grant Francis 1850
Duke of Beaufort agreed to its restoration.
Colonal Francis contributed 200 to its
restoration and 4,000 tonnes of rubbish were
removed.
6
In 1927 Swansea Corporation purchased the castle
and its surrounding land from the Duke of
Beaufort and carried out a very thorough
restoration of the building.
7

• The Friends of Oystermouth Castle were formed
  opening the castle to the public.
• 2002 City and County of Swansea develop a
  management plan for the castle.
• 2004 150k Emergency repair works to the castle
  undertaken, funded by City and County of Swansea
  and Cadw.

2006 Decision to progress with Heritage Lottery
bid.
8
1.8million total
project cost. Heritage Lottery Funding, City
County of Swansea, Cadw, Friends of Oystermouth
Castle. September 2008 HLF Stage 1 approval
achieved. If successful at Stage 2, project will
fund Repair and conservation of the
castle Building of visitor facility. Fees Castle
community co-ordinator 4 years Interpretation
materials Training, staff volunteers Activities
events.
9

• Strong community involvement.
• Proposed volunteer programme..not just the
  Friends.
• Community groups undertaking a series of
  projects.
• Friends to archive film and video footage of
  works in progress.
• e.g. Red Cafe schools videos in and around
  the castle.
• Youth Offending Teams.photographic
  interpretation of the castle and exhibition.
• Mumbles Community Council events
• Mumbles Development Trust.festivals / walks /
  leaflets.
• Met University ..stained glass window
  exhibitions.
• GGAT community archaeological digs.

10
Provisional Timeline of Events. January
September 2009 HLF Stage 2 May 2009
Cadw Heritage Tourism
approval
in principle (535k)
September 2009
Submit to HLF October December 2009 Bills /
Tender documents January 2010
Out to tender April 2010
Works start on site 2010 2014
Phased works on site.
11

• A four year work programme. 2010 -2014
• Aim.
• Ensure parts of the castle are open to the public
  every April September.
• Contractors to undertake weekend workshops eg
  mixing types of mortar.
• Plans to show what works are taking place each
  year.
• Community archaeology
• Archiving
• Recording
• Other events?

12
Signage potential through convergence funding
application. Parking doesnt qualify for
tourism brown signs. Discussions with highways
disabled parking bay Footway signage -
Distribution of pedestrian access from a number
of locations
13

• Friends of Oystermouth Castle.
• Role of the Friends 4 years and beyond.
• Training opportunities.
• Consultation on interpretation.
• Raising cash from ticket sales which will
  contribute to the long term maintenance of the
  visitor centre .
• Ongoing sustainability of the Castle Community
  Officer.
• Potential for archiving, investigation and
  research.

14

• Convergence funding bid. European funding.
• Heritage Tourism Bid. Cadw. 535k
• Upgrade toilets.
• Lighting.
• Events celebrating Oystermouth Castle.
• Signage and interpretation outside of the castle
  grounds.
• Links to citywide heritage trails.
• Promote alternative means of access and transport
• Other ideas/ needs?