Our Objectives
At The Tywi Centre, our mission is to equip everyone responsible for caring for or working on historic buildings with the essential knowledge, skills, and materials for carrying out sensitive and appropriate repairs. By doing so, we ensure that both listed and non-listed buildings stand the test of time – lasting for another 100 years and beyond.
The site
The Tywi Centre is located at Dinefwr Farm, Llandeilo, within a Grade II listed group of barns that once served as the Home Farm of the Newton House Estate, now managed by the National Trust. Our facilities include a well-equipped classroom, capable of hosting up to 20 participants for courses or meetings, as well as space dedicated to displays showcasing the beauty and importance of old buildings.
We also feature specialized training areas, including:
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Plastering Workshop: Learn the art of plastering onto laths and creating intricate running moulds.
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Outdoor Shelter: Practice traditional external rendering techniques.
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Carpentry Workshop: A spacious area for sash window restoration and timber frame repairs.
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Stonework Training Area: Perfect for hands-on stonemasonry skills development.
Our Work and Legacy
At The Tywi Centre, we deliver an unrivalled range of services designed to support and inspire everyone involved in the care of historic buildings. We are proud to be the UK’s only provider of NVQ Level 3 qualifications in Heritage Carpentry, Masonry, and Plastering, giving craftspeople the opportunity to achieve nationally recognised standards in traditional building skills.
We also offer a suite of accredited courses for professionals, covering essential topics such as Energy Efficiency Measures for Older Buildings and Repair and Maintenance best practices, ensuring those working in the sector have the specialist knowledge they need.
Our expertise extends beyond training delivery:
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We support other organisations with bespoke heritage training, tailored to their needs.
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We develop content and curriculum in collaboration with qualification bodies, shaping the future of heritage education.
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We design and deliver grant-funded projects that directly benefit communities and their built environment.
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We organise high-profile conferences and events, bringing together industry leaders, experts, and practitioners to share knowledge and drive innovation in the sector.
And, of course, we continue to offer trusted one-to-one advice sessions (‘surgeries’), hands-on craft skills training, guidance resources, and dedicated support to building owners, contractors, charities, and professionals alike.
At The Tywi Centre, we don’t just provide services – we raise the bar for heritage training and conservation across Wales and the UK.
The Team
Nell Hellier
I am the Senior Built Heritage Officer at Carmarthenshire County Council and have been working in traditional building conservation at the Tywi Centre since 2008. I live in an old building and so am familiar with all the challenges that come with it! I am responsible for managing the Built Heritage Services of the county and delivering all the Tywi Centre projects, so if you need any training or general information about old buildings please contact me. If I can’t help you I will always be happy to point you towards someone who can. I am also involved in working across Wales to promote the heritage building agenda with the Welsh Traditional Buildings Forum and Cadw, amongst others.
Contact details:
Email: nhellier@carmarthenshire.gov.uk
Tel: 07929770732
Helena Burke
Over the past 10 years, Helena has been developing and delivering heritage skills training programmes throughout Wales. In her unique role as the Heritage Skills and Projects Officer, she is able to work with people that share her passion for conserving old buildings to access the training and education they need.
Helena previously managed the HLF funded Bursary Training Programme which has seen over 100 people become qualified in traditional building skills.
Helena's focus is on continuing to develop training opportunities in Wales to ensure that access to the knowledge and skills required to work appropriately Wales’s incredible heritage is readily available.
Contact details:
Email: hburke@carmarthenshire.gov.uk
Tel: 07929 770743
Tom Duxbury
With over 30 years in the in the construction industry, Tom has a wealth of knowledge and experience on which to draw. He has recently achieved MCIOB Chartered Builder status. Gaining this internationally recognised qualification is a tremendous achievement and recognition of his true professionalism in the field of Heritage Construction.
He has run his own specialist joinery and building business for 25 of those years before moving into delivering Level 1, 2 and 3 training and assessments in heritage carpentry and plastering and the repair and maintenance of all traditional buildings.
Following Tom’s graduation with a 1st class honours degree in Building Conservation and Management, he joined the Tywi Centre team in 2012. Tom delivers practical training on construction sites and in workshop situations, as well as classroom based delivery using digital media. His own academic education continued with his attainment of a Level 3 Certificate in Assessing Vocational Achievement in 2015, and a Level 3 Certificate in Learning & Development in 2016.
Alongside Tom’s training and assessing he is currently working as Conservation Officer for the Brecon Beacons National Park, which has enabled him to hone his knowledge in conservation principles, policy and legislation.
Contact details:
Email: tduxbury@carmarthenshire.gov.uk
James Yeandle
James is the Built Heritage Officer for Carmarthenshire County Council with responsibility for the protection of the historic built environment including 1,950 listed buildings and 27 conservation areas. If you require any advice relating to those historic assets, it will be James that you need to liaise with.
James holds a Post Graduate Diploma in Conservation of the Historic Environment and has been working the Local Planning Authority for over 10 years. He has full professional membership to the Institute of Historic Building Conservation.
Since his time with the Local Planning Authority, he has experienced the rich architectural and historic Character of Carmarthenshire. This has allowed him to build up a real knowledge and appreciation of historic buildings and areas of the region.
You can find out more about how to look after your listed building by visiting the Carmarthenshire County Council website.
Contact details:
Email: Jyeandle@carmarthenshire.gov.uk
Matt Pyart
Matt Pyart is our newest Built Heritage Officer and joins us from Pembrokeshire. Matt started out his career as a built heritage officer in Carmarthenshire – and it is great to be able to welcome him back.
Contact details:
Email: MWSPyart@carmarthenshire.gov.uk
Joe Moriarty
Joe Moriarty, is the Monitoring and Enforcement Officer: Planning and Built Heritage and one of our Traditional Skills Tutors.
Joe works closely with the Built Heritage Officers, to ensure that any work to both listed buildings and those in Conservation Areas is undertaken using appropriate methods and materials and with the right consents in place. Having worked as a traditional builder and consultant for many years, Joe consolidated his knowledge and skills by completing a Masters Qualification in Sustainable Building Conservation from the Welsh School of Architecture in Cardiff.
Joe is has worked with the team as a consultant tutor for some years so is very knowledgeable about historic building methods and materials. Joe is the ideal tutor on our NVQ3 Course in Heritage Plastering as he completed this qualification in 2014.
Contact details:
JMoriarty@carmarthenshire.gov.uk