Press Releases

Members of the Museum’s Historic Buildings Unit (HBU) move buildings from across the country, most of which are threatened with demolition, and rebuild them at St Fagans: National History Museum where they help tell the story of the people of Wales.

“The HBU has 12 workmen including masons, carpenters, painters, plasterers and a metalworker,” said Janet Wilding, Project Manager, HBU. “Many of them have worked here since leaving school and have been trained on the job. Their knowledge of the specialist methods used in the construction of the buildings is irreplaceable, and their skills in traditional building techniques and using traditional materials are essential to the work of the HBU.” 

St Fagans houses over 40 buildings and although most of them have been brought here from different parts of Wales, some of them were part of the original estate, such as St Fagans Castle and the Llwyn-yr-Eos farmhouse.  Every building has its own challenges for the HBU, from the cruck-framed farmhouse first built in 1508 to the aluminium prefab from 1948. 

The buildings themselves are Museum objects and are used as an educational resource. By conserving as much of the original fabric as possible, and using archaeological evidence and research, St Fagans can display the buildings at a certain point in history.

John Williams-Davies is the Director of St Fagans: National History Museum. He said:

“St Fagans’ in-house team was responsible for recording, dismantling and re-erecting St Teilo’s Church, which was officially opened at the Museum in October 2007. It has since become one of St Fagans’ most popular attractions, many amazed by the work carried out by our craftspeople and workers including a new hand-carved rood screen.”

The Museum’s senior carpenter, Ray Smith, who’s responsible for executing all the carving work for St Teilo’s Church, will be retiring soon. The Museum has therefore decided to offer two apprenticeships in carpentry and masonry in order to ensure the continuation of traditional skills in Wales.

Mr Williams-Davies concluded: “The Museum prides itself on the fact that our craftspeople use traditional techniques, which is undoubtedly part of the magic of St Fagans.”

Wyn Prichard, Director for ConstructionSkills Wales, said: “We’ve taken some giant steps to ensure that more people are taking up these traditional building crafts that are so important to preserving the country’s heritage buildings. The apprenticeships at St Fagans, which are sure to be incredibly interesting due to the important and exciting nature of the Museum’s work, are an excellent example of how we are working with partners to achieve this.”    

Admission to Amgueddfa Cymru – National Museum Wales is free thanks to the support of the Welsh Assembly Government.

Amgueddfa Cymru – National Museum Wales operates seven national museums across Wales. These are National Museum Cardiff, St Fagans: National History Museum, the National Roman Legion Museum, Big Pit: National Coal Museum, the National Wool Museum, the National Slate Museum and the National Waterfront Museum.

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For more information, please contact Catrin Mears, Communications Officer, Amgueddfa Cymru – National Museum Wales on (029) 2057 3185 or e-mail catrin.mears@museumwales.ac.uk.

Notes to editors

ConstructionSkills is UK-wide and represents the whole industry from professional consultancies to major contractors and SMEs. Established as a Sector Skills Council in 2003, ConstructionSkills is tasked by Government to ensure the UK’s largest industry has the skilled workforce it requires. Working with the Welsh Assembly Government, training providers and employers, it is responsible for ensuring that the industry has enough qualified new entrants and that the existing workforce is fully skilled and qualified, as well as for improving the performance of the industry and the companies within it.