Building Skills. Building Confidence. Building the Future
The Tywi Centre is where people come to grow — in skill, in confidence and in opportunity. We champion the traditional building skills that keep historic places alive, and we work alongside learners, craftspeople, organisations and building owners who want to do things properly and to the highest standard.
Our training is practical, rigorous and rooted in real buildings. Taught by experienced heritage specialists, every course is designed to build genuine competence — whether you’re starting your career, developing your craft, or tackling an older building that needs informed, careful repair. We’re here to support your journey and help you achieve your goals.
For organisations, we create bespoke heritage training programmes that strengthen teams, improve quality and open new business opportunities. From tailored workshops to specialist development pathways, we help businesses raise standards and grow with confidence.
We promote repair, reuse and retrofit done properly — using evidence‑led methods and compatible, breathable materials that protect buildings for the long term. Our Grade II listed site at Dinefwr Farm offers an inspiring, hands‑on environment where learning feels real, purposeful and connected to place.
Alongside our qualifications, we deliver professional courses, bespoke training, community projects and sector events. Everything we do is built around excellence, integrity and the future of traditional buildings.
If you want to build your skills, strengthen your career, support your team or care for an older building with confidence, the Tywi Centre is ready to work with you — and we’re proud to be the best in the business.
The Team
Nell Hellier
Senior Built Heritage Officer
Nell Hellier is the Senior Built Heritage Officer for Carmarthenshire County Council. She leads the county’s statutory built heritage functions. Her work ensures Carmarthenshire’s historic environment is protected through sensitive, conservation‑led decision‑making.
Since joining the Tywi Centre in 2008, Nell has been central to its reputation as a Welsh centre of excellence for heritage skills. She delivers high‑quality training to homeowners, contractors, surveyors and conservation professionals, covering traditional materials, building repair, conservation principles, and legislation. Her teaching blends technical expertise with clear, practical guidance.
Nell also plays an influential role nationally, working with organisations such as the Construction Industry Training Board and Cadw to promote traditional skills and strengthen Wales’s heritage construction sector. Living in an old building herself, she brings relatable, hands‑on insight to every aspect of her work.
Approachable, knowledgeable, and deeply committed to safeguarding Wales’s historic buildings, Nell is always happy to help — and if she can’t assist directly, she’ll guide you to someone who can.
Contact details:
Email: nhellier@carmarthenshire.gov.uk
Tel: 07929770732
Helena Burke
Heritage Skills & Projects Officer
Helena Burke is the Heritage Skills and Projects Officer at the Tywi Centre, leading the development and delivery of high‑quality training in traditional building skills. She works across accredited NVQ heritage programmes, sector partnerships and conservation projects, ensuring training is professional, practical and aligned with the needs of Wales’s heritage construction workforce.
Helena manages and delivers grant‑funded initiatives that strengthen heritage skills, support communities and promote best practice in the repair, care and retrofit of historic buildings. Her work connects learners, craftspeople and organisations, helping to build capacity and confidence across the sector.
Through her role, Helena plays a key part in safeguarding traditional craft knowledge and ensuring it remains relevant, accessible and future‑focused.
Contact details:
Email: hburke@carmarthenshire.gov.uk
Tel: 07929 770743
Joe Moriarty
JMoriarty@carmarthenshire.gov.uk
Tom Duxbury
Leading Specialist in Heritage Construction & Traditional Building Skills
Tom Duxbury is one of Wales’s most experienced and respected heritage construction professionals, bringing over 30 years of hands‑on expertise to the sector. With a career rooted in traditional craftsmanship and conservation‑led repair, Tom has become a key figure in advancing high‑quality heritage skills training.
For 25 years, Tom ran a successful specialist joinery and building business, delivering bespoke traditional work across historic buildings and structures. This deep practical foundation now drives his exceptional training and assessment delivery at the Tywi Centre, where he teaches Level 1–3 heritage carpentry, plastering, and traditional building maintenance.
Tom’s professional achievements include MCIOB Chartered Builder status and a First Class Honours Degree in Building Conservation and Management. Most recently, he has strengthened his academic credentials with an MSc in Building Conservation, further enhancing his authority in building pathology, conservation ethics, and traditional materials.
Dedicated, knowledgeable, and highly regarded across the heritage sector, Tom combines real‑world experience with academic excellence to inspire and support the next generation of conservation professionals.
Contact: canolfantywicentre@carmarthenshire.gov.uk
James Yeandle
Built Heritage Officer
James is the Built Heritage Officer for Carmarthenshire County Council, responsible for safeguarding the county’s historic built environment — including 1,950 listed buildings and 27 conservation areas. He provides specialist statutory advice on proposals affecting these heritage assets, ensuring that change is managed sensitively, sustainably and in line with national legislation. Anyone seeking guidance on listed building consent or conservation area requirements will work directly with James.
James holds a Postgraduate Diploma in Conservation of the Historic Environment and has over a decade of experience within the Local Planning Authority. He is a full professional member of the Institute of Historic Building Conservation (IHBC), reflecting his expertise in conservation principles, planning policy and historic building repair.
During his years with the authority, James has developed an in‑depth understanding of Carmarthenshire’s rich architectural character. His work across the county’s towns, villages and rural landscapes has given him a deep appreciation of its historic buildings and the issues affecting their care.
Contact details:
Email: bhconsultations@carmarthenshire.gov.uk
Matt Pyart
Built Heritage Officer
Matt Pyart is has returned to Carmarthenshire County Council’s Built Heritage team, after several years working in Pembrokeshire’s historic environment service. Matt began his heritage career in Carmarthenshire, and his return brings valuable continuity, deep local knowledge and a strong understanding of the county’s architectural character.
Matt holds a BSc (Hons) in Architectural and Building Conservation and is a full member of the Institute of Historic Building Conservation (IHBC), reflecting his professional expertise in conservation principles, historic building repair and planning policy.
In his role, Matt supports the protection and sensitive management of Carmarthenshire’s historic buildings and conservation areas. He advises owners, agents and professionals on traditional materials, appropriate repair methods and statutory requirements, helping ensure that change to heritage assets is carried out with care and in line with conservation legislation.
Contact details:
Email: bhconsultations@carmarthenshire.gov.uk
Oliver Coe
Master Mason & Consultant Heritage Masonry Tutor & Assessor
Oliver’s professional practice is rooted in deep craftsmanship. Through Coe Stone Ltd, he has delivered specialist work across Wales and beyond. His company provides a full spectrum of heritage stone services — from material sourcing and design to carving and construction.
As a tutor, Oliver brings exceptional practical knowledge, clarity of instruction and a passion for traditional craft. He teaches all aspects of stonemasonry, ensuring learners gain both technical skill and an understanding of conservation principles. His long-standing industry experience makes him an invaluable part of the Tywi Centre’s heritage training team.
Morwenna Slade
Consultant Trainer, Energy Efficiency in Traditional Buildings
Morwenna Slade is a nationally recognised specialist in energy efficiency and climate change adaptation for historic buildings. As Director of Hennacliff Consulting Ltd, she brings high‑level expertise in retrofit, building performance and sustainability to the Tywi Centre’s Level 3 Award in Energy Efficiency Measures for Older and Traditional Buildings.
A RICS‑accredited conservation professional, MRICS, full IHBC member, and MSc Conservation of Historic Buildings graduate, Morwenna has designed and delivered training for organisations including CADW, Historic England, the Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership, and West Midlands Combined Authority. She has also contributed to national research for the Department of Energy Security and Net Zero and delivered CPD for RICS and IHBC.
Her career includes advising government departments, heritage bodies and international organisations, alongside roles such as Visiting Professor at UWE, SPAB Trustee, and former Head of Historic Building Climate Change Adaptation for Historic England.
Morwenna’s teaching combines technical rigour with practical, conservation‑led guidance — supporting learners to understand energy efficiency in traditional buildings with clarity, confidence and real‑world relevance.