Newport Medieval Kiln Project

This project seeks to ensure that our community can exploit the opportunities offered by a hitherto untouched late medieval monument in two ways; one to realise the economic potential it offers for developing heritage tourism in order to benefit the Pembrokeshire, and, equally important, use the project to uncover Newports medieval history involving all ages of the community by offering opportunities to participate through volunteering, educational events and community activities. This will encourage ownership and pride within our community and provide a focus for much needed community cohesion. This local resource is a hidden cultural and historical gem, a Medieval Pottery Kiln that is a Scheduled Monument. The Medieval Pottery Kiln is the best preserved medieval kiln in the UK and has been declared as an important British artifact unique to Pembrokeshire, Wales and indeed the UK. The kiln is currently hidden in the basement of Newport Memorial Hall inaccessible to the public and is now in urgent need of conservation. HLF, SDF and Cadw have pledged money to conserve the kiln and fund building works in order to open it up to the public. The very degraded (damp, cold and not used) area next to the kiln will be developed as part of this project to provide a space for all the activities that are planned as part of the project and on an ongoing basis continue to provide much needed workshop space for pottery and art classes and other activities for children and adults alike.