Conservation boost for Oystermouth Castle thanks to funding news

OYSTERMOUTH Castle in Mumbles is being given a major makeover thanks to a £1.7million project.

The historic attraction has landed over £800k from the Heritage Lottery Fund and £569k from Swansea Council with a further £400k in the pipeline from Cadw to carry out conservation works and build a new interpretation centre within the disused chapel block.

The Friends of Oystermouth Castle will also contribute close to £6K towards the project.

Disrepair means about half the castle is currently closed off but the funding now means plans to return access to 95 per cent of the Scheduled Ancient Monument and to increase visitor numbers from 6,000 to 11,000 by 2011 can progress.

Key to the success of the project is the continued involvement of the Friends of Oystermouth Castle- a group of committed volunteers who manage the day-to-day running of the attraction including opening the gates, taking visitors on tours and selling guidebooks.

And the funding means their work can now be supplemented by the appointment of a community co-ordinator for the Castle for a minimum of three years who will help put together an educational programme and continue to attract visitors from around the world.

Roger Parmiter, Chairman of the Friends of Oystermouth Castle, said: "There's great affection for Oystermouth Castle among local people and this funding news is the single most important event in 150 years of the Castle's recent history.

"The money will mean the creation of a wonderful new visitor centre on site and we hope the Castle will be able to remain open for longer hours.

"The Castle has suffered badly and we're delighted these contributions will ensure it's conserved for the future.

"It's not only an impressive building with beautiful Gothic windows in the chapel but it also has a fascinating history."

The Grade 1 listed Oystermouth Castle was founded by William de Londres in the early 12th century and is considered one of the finest Castles in the area with visible remains from the 12th and 14th centuries.

Many visitors are intrigued by stories of the ghost of the white lady that's said to haunt the chapel block on the east side of the Castle.

In 2003, Cadw found Oystermouth Castle to be in the worst condition of those open to the public in Wales and said restoration work was critical to avoid its inevitable closure.

Cllr Chris Holley, Swansea Council Leader, said: "This is wonderful news as it will help conserve Oystermouth Castle for future generations to enjoy and will lead to the creation of a first-class visitor centre.

"Oystermouth Castle is one of the most famous in this area and it has a fascinating and colourful history.

"This money will help keep the past alive, improve the educational experience at the attraction and boost visitor numbers.

"Many thousands more people will soon be discovering the mystique and magic of Oystermouth Castle."

Dan Clayton Jones, Chair of the Heritage Lottery Fund Committee for Wales, said: "Without this funding, we would undoubtedly lose Oystermouth Castle which would not only mean the demise of a significant local historical asset but also the vital community engagement which has kept the Castle alive over recent years.

"It's wonderful news that lottery money will help save one of our finest Welsh Castles.

"The proposed volunteer programme together with the new interpretation centre will improve and increase access to the Castle and will open up the beautiful building and its fascinating past for generations to come."

Welsh Assembly Government Heritage Minister, Alun Ffred Jones, said: "'My officials in Cadw have been concerned about the condition of the Castle and welcomed applications for funding.

"It's wonderful news that Oystermouth Castle will have a new lease of life and it's also heartening to hear the Castle has such a strong community involvement and that members of the community have taken ownership and pride in this important piece of their history.

"The work to be done will enable even more people to visit and appreciate Oystermouth Castle."

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This page last updated on September 26 2008