Noddwr : Patron Rt Hon Lord Elis-Thomas P.C., A.M   

Cadeirydd: Chairman. Richard Cuthbertson, M.B.E.,D.L, F.R.S.A   Rheolwry Prosiesct: Project Director. Margaret Dunn

Datingoldwelshhouses@uwclub.co.uk  www.datingoldwelshhouses.co.uk   Rhif Elusen Gofrestredig 1131782 Registered Charity No.

Bryn Bedd, Nantgwynant,Gwynedd LL55 4NL  Tel : 01766 890550

Dating Old Welsh Houses

North West Wales Dendrochronology Project

This project was established in 2008 to discover more about the history and development of 16th and 17th century Tudor and Jacobean houses in north-west Wales. It will operate from 2009 until 2012.

WHY OLD WELSH HOUSES NEED DATING

Introduction

Wales contains rare and endangered examples of buildings erected before the mid- 1600s, for most of which there is only a vague architectural record. 1485 -1700 was a key period in the development of yeomen farmsteads and gentry estates, during which the foundations of the built and environmental Welsh landscape were laid down.

If you saw a house such as these

The Project

would you suppose it contained a treasure such as this?

Welsh cultural heritage and the environment often have a high profile with those seeking to promote green or niche tourism and other economic development across Wales. Little is known of the patrons of the well-studied bards, those by whose endeavours much of our admired landscape was laid out. Even less is understood about their dwellings and the economic and other forces which determined when, where and how these homes were erected. Until recently there has been no reliable method of dating buildings, as architectural styles could be used over a long period.

Dendrochronology is now available as a tool to enable many of these buildings to be dated, thus increasing awareness and knowledge so that our early built-heritage may be better safeguarded, and the important role played by these buildings in the formation of modern Wales shared with both local people and visitors. The Project concentrates on North West Wales,  where, up to now, less dendrochronology has been undertaken than in some other parts of Wales. Many of these old buildings are in danger of falling into ruin. Others are often modernised beyond recognition A smaller project undertaken in Gwynedd by another organisation has already indicated how much remains to be identified and dated before it is too late.