Past Projects

Gower Unearthed CIC – Past Projects & Current Activity

About Us

Gower Unearthed started as a grassroots partnership in 2012, focused on heritage education, oral history, archaeology, and environmental learning. Incorporated as a Community Interest Company (CIC) in 2019, we remain committed to community-led heritage and experiential learning across the Gower Peninsula and beyond.

Current & Ongoing Projects

• • Gower Young Archaeologists’ Club (YAC) – developing heritage skills for youth.

• • Afordir Coastal Archaeology – collaboration with HENEB Archaeology on coastal site projects.

• • The Story of Mumbles – expanding the digital archive and dialect research.

• • Bone Caves Heritage Trail – QR-coded cave interpretation across Gower.

• • Agricultural Heritage Project – oral history, field-name mapping, booklet, short film.

• • Historical Medicine Schools – school package exploring folk medicine and herbal traditions.

• • Oystermouth Castle Collaboration – themed visits, hands-on finds handling, and public archaeology days.

• • Finds Surgery Day – community artifact ID and care sessions.

• • Cynefin Schools Engagement – events focused on sense of place and cultural landscapes.

• • Festival of Archaeology – annual pop-up events, workshops, and family digs.

Selected Past Projects

The Story of Mumbles Digital Archive

Oral histories, dialect research, and digital archive development with Heritage Lottery support.

Vernon Watkins Creative Schools Project

Poetry award, memorial stone unveiled by Mrs Gwen Watkins, YouTube ceremony coverage.

Gower Society Design Award

Restored a historic cobbled road with Councillor Lyndon Jones.

Pennard Castle & Backingstone Chapel

Conservation consultation, interpretation boards, and geophysical surveys feeding into national heritage frameworks.

Outdoor Learning & Nature Days

Curriculum-linked outdoor learning with conservation teams.

Farming Families Oral History

Interviews in Bishopston and Mumbles; bilingual heritage booklet production.

Prehistoric Gower Workshops

HLF-funded experiential archaeology with Dr James Dilley. Videos and school integration.

Iron-Age Roundhouse

Construction funded by European Rural Development, used for community events and education.

Outdoor Education Publications

Developed Edgar Evans: Resilience & Failure resource, praised by Estyn.

Craig Gwladus Park

Heritage interpretation and family engagement activities.

Gower Explorers Mapping Walks

SPF-funded landscape walks and workshops, with guest Will Millard.

Paviland Futures & Media

Paviland campaign, lectures, media engagement with BBC and S4C partners.

Historical Medicine Schools Package

Collaborative school workshops at Oystermouth Castle teaching herbal remedies, folklore, and historic first aid.

Oystermouth Castle Collaboration

Theme days and guided walks bringing Norman and medieval history alive.

Finds Surgery Day

Community artifact identification and conservation event.

Cynefin Schools Engagement

Curriculum-linked events exploring Welsh notions of 'place' (Cynefin).

Festival of Archaeology Events

Annual archaeology fun days, including hands-on excavations and workshops.

TV & Media Work

• Appearances on S4C, BBC Wales, and BBC Radio Wales/Radio 4 for archaeology, heritage, and local culture.
• Collaborations with Will Millard (Hidden Wales) and featured sessions.
• Festival of Archaeology and Finds Surgery sessions featured in local press and radio.

Recognition & Reach

• Funded via HLF, European Rural Development, SPF, and others.
• Long-term partnerships with Cadw, Swansea University’s CHART, AONB, local councils, WI, PONT, and Oystermouth Castle.
• Sessions aligned with Welsh curriculum, heritage sector standards, and Estyn-recognised best practice.

Summary Table

Theme

Highlights

Heritage & Archaeology

Pennard, Backingstone, Prehistoric Gower, Oystermouth Castle

Health & History

Historical medicine schools, herbal folklore

Education & Schools

Poetry, Cynefin, Iron-Age roundhouse, mapping

Community Engagement

Finds Surgery, Farming Families, digital archive

Festival & Public Events

Festival of Archaeology, TV, radio, storytelling

Helen Nicholas
Director Gower Unearthed CIC