There’s a rare opportunity coming up to get ‘hands on’ with restoring an important part of our industrial heritage.

Teams of volunteers are needed to take part in a new project to restore three historic lime kilns on the banks of the Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal at Goytre, Llangattock and Watton.

The project, led by Glandwr Cymru, the Canal and River Trust in Wales, will see volunteers learn traditional skills to restore and conserve the historic structures.

Made possible by £60,700 funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund and £30,000 from the Brecon Beacons Trust, the project will also include an interpretation trail, which will give visitors to the waterway an insight into its industrial heritage.

The lime kilns played a vital role in Wales’ industrial history, being used to produce lime mortar for agricultural use and the construction trade.

The raw materials of coal and limestone were brought to the kilns by canal boat and the finished product, burnt lime, was then transported by cart to local farms and by horse drawn tramway as far away as Hay-on-Wye and Kington.

Caroline Kendall, volunteer development coordinator at the Canal and River Trust, said, “We’re really excited to get this project started. The lime kilns are such important parts of the history of the canal, and it’s great to be able to give them the attention they deserve.

“We’re very much relying on the support of the local community to give us a hand so if you’re interested in learning something new and spending some time out by the water, please get in touch.”

Richard Bellamy, head of the Heritage Lottery Fund in Wales, added, “Without support from the National Lottery it would be very difficult for projects such as these to see the light of day.

“This Lime Kilns Trail project will tell an important story of Welsh industry, a period of change in our culture and in our ways of working.

“Volunteers will get the opportunity to learn new skills and contribute to preserving this important part of Welsh heritage for the future and I would encourage anyone thinking of contributing to this important work to get in touch with Glandwr Cymru.”

Would-be volunteers can register their interest at canalrivertrust.org.uk/volunteer.