During summer 2019 the group was invited to take part in Gwynedd Archaeological Trust's Cadw funded clearing, recording and excavation work at Pen y Bryn Quarry Barracks, Dyffryn Nantlle – part of a nominated World Heritage site. Providing a clearer understanding of the phasing of the barracks and associated buildings, the project also helped shed light on how quarrymen and their families may have lived here.
Group members learnt various archaeological skills and uncovered and recorded a rock cannon (in this instance a marriage stone) adjacent to the barracks. They also learnt about the area's local history and helped deliver guided walks as part of a public open day. Watch a video created by the group, describing their experiences on the project.
Residential Trips
During October 2019, along with members of other Unloved Heritage? projects, the group attended two residential weekends.
The first was in Llanddeusant, South Wales. This included a filmmaking session where each group created a short video on their project - a great opportunity to learn about other group's activities. The trip also included a paddleboarding and canoeing team building session.
A further trip saw members of different Unloved Heritage? groups visit Northern Ireland. Each group made presentations on their projects, and, exploring Bushmills and Belfast, heard from young people involved in similar projects in these areas. This was a valuable opportunity to learn how young people in a different part of Britain are engaging with their local historic landscape. The trip also included outings to the Belfast Peace Wall, Carrick a Rede and Giant's Causeway.
See below for more information on the Unloved Heritage? project:
Unloved Heritage? website
Unloved Heritage? Twitter
Videos created by the group:
Dyffryn Nantlle
Pen y Bryn Quarry Barracks
Dorothea Quarry
Contact: Jade.owen@heneb.co.uk
