Book Review by Merfyn Williams

Vernacular Gower

Published by the Gower Society, Swansea
ISBN 0 902767 31 3 - Paperback 4.50
ISBN 0 902767 32 1 - Hardback 8.50

The Gower Society was formed in 1948 to protect the special natural and built heritage of the Gower Peninsula, a fact which was acknowledged statutorily with its designation as the first Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) in Britain in 1956.

Fifty five years on and the Society is still going strong and if proof were needed of this, 'Vernacular Gower' which was published in April is ample enough! This book is the indirect result of a photographic competition last year. This generated so much interest that members of the Society sought some financial help for a publication and with sponsorship from AONB etc the book was put together.

It is an example of what Cadw describes in its booklet and, of course, CPRW highlighted in its pamphlet, The Cottage Tradition published in 1999. What this book does is to emphasise different features Vernacular Gower: Booklet Cover

and characteristics in the vernacular structures of the peninsula be they houses, walls or whatever. As the Introduction says

"Our aim is to encourage people to look for historical detail, to retain it wherever possible, and to develop designs that fit in comfortably with the old."

Many of the rural buildings in Gower were built by the people who first lived in them. Yes, Gower people built their own homes and, of course, with the materials that were at hand and many of them were originally tenanted properties - the Kilvrough and Penrice Estates being the two major ones. Usually, the farmworker built a house and then added a farm building to one end creating a linear structure and again as the booklet says:

"Apart from minor changes the farm units built in 1920 were little different from those that were built in 1750."

It was the advent of the motor car that changed things in the Gower by creating a commuter market and, of course, providing the means to develop a tourist industry. There was a 'building boom' in the 1960s which has left some unfortunate hangovers and also since the 1980s many conversions have taken place and further new dwellings, mainly, to accommodate people working in Swansea.

"In terms of house styles Gower has tended to become an extension of Swansea, and we have almost lost that special identity that once characterised what was our simple, honest, vernacular housing style."

A heartfelt plea that, unfortunately, can be repeated for so many other areas on our increasingly pressurised island but the most important message can also be repeated to all parts of Britain -

"We are not asking people to live in museums, but to respect our heritage and to increase the enjoyment of all who live in and visit our beautiful and historic peninsula."

Congratulations to the Gower Society and long may it fight the good fight!

Merfyn Williams

The Gower Society
c/o Swansea Museum
Victoria Road
Swansea SA1 1SN
Tel. 01792 371665

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www.cprw.org.uk/magartcl/artAspNet/vernGower.htm