Conservation work has begun on the historic stable block at Strata Florida Abbey – a 12th century Cistercian abbey near Pontrhydfendigaid – with the restoration project also set to provide traditional building skills training for local students.

Strata Florida Trust and the World Monuments Fund Britain (WMF) have announced the start of work to conserve and adapt the former stables, creating flexible spaces for future educational and cultural activities at the historic site.

As part of the project, students will be given the opportunity to work alongside experienced craftsmen while learning traditional construction techniques. A programme developed with local colleges, universities and tradesmen will offer practical experience in stonemasonry, carpentry, slating, plastering and limework. Rather than learning solely in a classroom or on temporary structures, participants will contribute directly to the conservation of the historic building.

John Darlington, Director of Projects at WMF, said: “What makes this project different is that the conservation itself is part of the learning.

“Over the next two years, students will work alongside skilled craftspeople on a real historic building, following in the footsteps of generations who have built and made things at Strata Florida.

“Instead of practising on a wall that will eventually be taken down, they’ll be able to point to the Stables and say: ‘I worked on that.’”

Once the conservation work is complete, the stable block will continue to be used for learning, craft and cultural activities.

Visitors to Strata Florida will notice changes around the site while the project is under way, including scaffolding and road-widening works.

Temporary hoarding surrounding the stable block has also been decorated with a new mural by Driftwood Designs, developed in collaboration with the local community. The artwork explains the conservation work taking place while celebrating the historical and cultural significance of Strata Florida.