The Tywi Centre has marked its 10th anniversary with a double celebration.
Three members of the Tywi Centre team completed a special 10-mile run through the Tywi Valley before hosting a birthday tea party at the Dinefwr Farm centre.
Nell Hellier, Senior Built Heritage Officer, Helena Burke, Heritage Skills and Projects Officer, and Ruth Rees, of the Heritage Construction in Wales Project, ran one mile for each of the 10 years to mark the anniversary of the opening of the traditional building skills training and education centre at Dinefwr Farm.
The route took in some of the area’s historic landmarks, many of which have been supported by the centre over the years.
“The run was stunning and particularly emotional because it reminded us of all the wonderful people, places and projects that the Tywi Centre has been fortunate enough to be involved with over our 10 years,” said Helena.
The route began at Dryslwyn Castle, then meandered through the villages of Cwrt Henri and Llangathen, through Dinefwr Park to Dinefwr Castle, around the historic town of Llandeilo and ended at the centre for a well-deserved cup of tea and slice of anniversary cake.
Over the last decade, the centre has built up a UK-wide reputation for being experts in supporting the protection of historic buildings of Wales and has been delivering training, education and information with our experienced and knowledgeable tutors to custodians of old, pre-1919 buildings across the nation.
A large number of people who have been associated with the centre attended the tea party and were welcomed by Nell who gave a resume of the centre and its achievements, with both Eifion Bowen, retired head of planning at Carmarthenshire County Council, who was instrumental in setting up the Tywi Afon yr Oesoedd Project in 2008, and current County Clr. Edward Thomas responding paying tribute to the centre, its staff and projects.
Clr. Thomas said: “The Twyi Centre is a fantastic asset to Carmarthenshire and Wales - a true success story promoting traditional and heritage building skills. It amazing what they have achieved in the last 10 years.”
Added Nell: “It was great to see so many old friends at our tea party. “It is their encouragement and enthusiasm that has kept us going for so long. Big, big, big thank yous all round.”
The Tywi Centre’s next event will be a listed buildings fair at Newton House, Dinefwr Park, Llandelio, on Sunday, February 9.