A team of tutors assembled by Ty-Mawr Lime delivered two days of Heritage Skills training at Pontypridd High School.
The group that benefited from the two day course included pupils from Pontypridd High School, local tradespersons, and vounteers involved in the restoration of the Lido in Pontypridd. Over the two days, and in beautiful late Spring weather, the group received tuition in skills such as dry stone walling, lime pointing, and lime plastering.
Ty-Mawr's Technical Director, Nigel Gervis, said: "My congratulations go to Pontypridd High School, especially their Head of Construction, Steve Jones, and Rhondda Cynon Taf BC's Kimberley McKenzie for their efforts in making this course a resounding success. The diversity of the delegates on the course worked really well and provided an inspiring environment to learn new skills. I was particularly pleased to see how the pupils responded on the day. The course helped them to realise that they can positively contribute to saving our heritage and showed them how these crafts tie in to the restoration project at the Lido in Ynysangharad Park."
Plans to restore and re-open the Grade-II listed lido were given a huge boost in 2012 with a £2.3m grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund. The open air swimming pool at Ynysangharad Park, Pontypridd, which closed in 1991, is being modernised as part of a £6.2m project. Rhondda Cynon Taf council said it hoped that eventually 30,000 people a year will use the pool. Built in 1927 in an arts and crafts style, it is the only listed lido to survive in Wales.
As part of the restoration project, volunteers and young people are being offered training to help repair the lido and assist in doing basic maintenance work. The Heritage Skills course at Pontypridd High School is part of this programme, organised by RCTBC and Pontypridd High School, and delivered by Ty-Mawr Lime.
