Recent Use of Vernacular dry stone Styles by local Authorities in south Wales to create striking Additions to the built Environment

Britain now a post-industrial country; S Wales a striking example of area where heavy industry has gone & either been replaced by new high-tech industries or left former communities (esp iron, steel, coal) with little raison d’etre.

One aspect of this change has been a national upgrading of “heritage” as a priority for tourism, community pride (paradoxically, in S Wales as other former industrial areas, much of the former built environment of heavy industry has been dismantled & obliterated).

Traditional agricultural craft of dry stone walling – field boundaries chiefly – has been remodelled to serve new task of “instant heritage”.

Examples:
tidying up town centres – Merthyr Tydfil: Abermorlais
new parks on former industrial sites – Cwmtillery, Merthyr Tydfil
prominent roadside sites –Llanfaes, Hafodyrynys, Ystrad Mynach
new public projects – Millennium Botanic Gardens, Cardiff Airport

Advantages:
-much suitable stone, esp. Pennant gritstone
-walling tradition not dead though agricultural sector depressed, so:
-new use for traditional craftsmen

Disadvantages:
-unsuitable specifications - Hirwaun, Rhoose
-poor craftsmen used - Heads of Valley road, Hirwaun
-maintenance not considered –Rhoose
-unsuitable planting alongside – Abermorlais

Role of Dry Stone Walling Association
-supplying qualified craftsmen
-promoting standards

Conclusion: a good development, but needs watching.

Za povečavo kliknite na sliko
Click on picture to enlarge