VALUABLE conservation work is continuing on many fascinating objects in the Brecknock Museum collection. This is all part of the behind-the-scenes preparations for the move to the restored Shire Hall and the opening of the new galleries in Y Gaer.

“We reported on the first stage of this project last year,” said senior curator Nigel Blackamore, “and we are delighted to have obtained further grant funding from the Federation of Museums and Galleries in Wales, through the Welsh Government, to continue this conservation programme. By conserving the objects to the highest possible standards, we can display more objects to better effect.

This will all help enhance the visitor experience at Y Gaer.”

Overseeing this project is experienced professional conservator Cath Lloyd Haslam. “She’s leading a team of conservators from the Masters course in Conservation Practice at Cardiff University, who all have specific areas of expertise which are being applied to the objects and materials in our collection,” Nigel added. “We know these irreplaceable objects are receiving the best possible care.”

Work includes assessing the condition of each object, cleaning it with specialist cleaning materials, and carrying out sympathetic repairs where appropriate.

“We have already worked on several hundred objects,” said Cath.

“Some are relatively small objects, such as hand tools donated by the local rural community to the museum’s agricultural collection. Others are large and physically challenging to deal with such as a large medieval door from Tretower!”

Sarah James is one of the team working on the medieval door.

“I’ve spent many weeks here on placement at Brecknock Museum,” Sarah told us, “and working on this door really is one of the highlights that I’ll remember as I head back home to America.

We’ve removed corrosion from the ironwork and have gradually been removing varnish that was mistakenly applied many decades ago to part of one side of the door so that the wood is

nearer to its original appearance.”

The other side of the door is limewashed. This was a decorative feature meaning the door matched the original walls.

“Once the conservation is completed this splendid door can be displayed in Y Gaer – it will be a highlight within the new galleries,” Nigel enthused.

Conservation student Aly Singh is also working on the door. “It’s a beautiful object, and it’s enthralling to be contributing to its conservation.

“It’s a big contrast in scale compared to the Roman coins from the museum’s collection that I previously worked on as part of my course,” Aly continued. “There has been a long history of collaboration between the museum and Cardiff University’s Conservation Practice course and it’s wonderful to feel that we are making a real contribution to the community here in Brecon.”

Also receiving attention at the moment are a whippletree (part of a horse harness), a spinning wheel and a 19th century oak pulpit chair.

“A huge range of wonderful local objects are being conserved – a vital part of the process of moving to Y Gaer,” concluded Nigel.