Visitors to beautiful Rhossili, Gower, can now use their mobile phones to discover the stories of two Victorian shipwrecks on the beach and explore3D digital models of the ships’ remains.

The Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Wales uses photogrammetry to make detailed 3D records of many historic assets, as a baseline for measuring future changes. In 2024 and 2025 we surveyed the remains of the barques Helvetia and Vennerne at Rhossili.

Now the Gower National Landscape and the National Trust, as landowner,  have placed HistoryPoints QR codes at Rhossili for anyone to view the 3D models of the wrecks as they visit or look down on the beach.

The 3D model of the Helvetia is particularly revealing because the photogrammetry survey was conducted when the sand was unusually low. Most visitors see the stem post but may not appreciate how much of the wooden hull survives.

The non-commercial HistoryPoints initiative has created QR codes for thousands of places across Wales for on-the-spot historical information from the HistoryPoints.org website. Last year it began to place RCAHMW 3D models on some of its web pages for visitors to view objects such as lighthouses from all angles.

The QR codes at Rhossili are the first to be directly inspired by the existence of 3D archaeological models. They connect to this web page: https://historypoints.org/index.php?page=shipwrecks-on-rhossili-beach

Dr Julian Whitewright, RCAHMW’s Senior Investigator (Maritime), said: “The Commissionhas an ongoing programme of archaeological survey work within the intertidal zone around Wales. A key part of this is our ability to undertake 3D Digital surveys of sites such as shipwrecks, which allows high resolution survey to be undertaken much more effectively than in the past.”

Adding:

“The 3D models also allow the sites to be explored by anyone, without having to venture into areas that can be difficult to access, so having them linked to the HistoryPoints is a great way of making more people aware of them.”

Gower National Landscape officer Ursula Jones said: “Generations of visitors to Rhossili have been intrigued by the wooden post that sticks up out of the sand. Now, for the first time, they can virtually explore what lies beneath the surface and see how the post connects to the wreck hidden below the sand. The QR code is also displayed near the car park, ensuring that visitors who are unable to walk down to the beach can also discover the stories and 3D models of the wrecks.”

NOTES TO EDITORS

RCAHMW was established in 1908 with the responsibility for creating and curating the National Monuments Record of Wales (NMRW). The NMRW contains about 120,000 records of archaeological sites and buildings, and includes maritime archaeological sites located around the Welsh Coast and in the seas around Wales. It is free to search and browse via the Coflein portal: https://coflein.gov.uk/en/

The RCAHMW’s growing collection of 3D models can be viewed here: https://sketchfab.com/CBHC_RCAHMW/models

Gower National Landscape was designated in 1956 as the UK’s first Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Its unique character and stunning natural beauty are so special that the it is protected for everyone to enjoy. Though small – covering just 72 square miles (186 square kilometres) – it is part of a family of 46 National Landscapes and 13 National Parks across England, Wales, and Northern Ireland, each with its own distinct character and beauty.

Conserving and enhancing the natural beauty of Gower is a shared effort. A small dedicated team works closely with the people who live, work and manage the land here, as well as with partners who help care for its natural environment.

HistoryPoints was founded in 2012 to exploit the then-emerging technology of QR codes and smartphones to shed light on local history in Wales. It has created QR codes for 2,500 places across Wales, including 660 along the Wales Coast Path. Its Gower QR codes help visitors to discover the stories of Paviland Cave, Culver Hole, Arthur’s Stone and many other features.

Working in partnership with denominations, congregations, heritage organisations, and local communities, the project aims to safeguard the rich heritage of Welsh Nonconformity and ensure its preservation for future generations.

The Welsh Nonconformist Chapel Census 2026 will build the first accurate picture for over a century of the condition, use, and status of chapels across Wales. The census will record:

•       how many chapels remain open for worship
•       patterns of religious and community use
•       the physical condition of chapel buildings
•       the contemporary significance of chapels to local communities.

In addition, the census will map the fate of chapels that have closed, identifying those that have been repurposed, converted, demolished, or left empty and disused.

Building on Historic Precedent

This new census stands in direct continuity with earlier landmark surveys.

The 1851 Religious Census is the only UK-wide survey to have captured statistical information about places of worship, including foundation dates and seating capacity. This revealed the growing strength of Welsh Nonconformity at the height of the industrial era: the number of chapels, together with their attendance figures, exceeded those of the Anglican church.

The 1905 survey by the Royal Commission on the Church of England and Other Religious Bodies in Wales and Monmouthshire wascarried out in advance of the disestablishment of the Anglican Church in Wales and returned evidence that three-quarters of people in Wales were Nonconformist. Similarly, by providing information on seating, membership, attendance, services, and the buildings, this unique body of evidence remains fundamental to chapel research today.

A New Snapshot for the 21st Century

The Royal Commission’s Chapels Recording and Research Project has identified nearly 6,500 chapel sites across Wales. However, there is currently no accurate national record of how many of these chapels are still active.

The 2026 Chapel Census will mirror aspects of the 1851 and 1905 surveys by compiling:

•        a definitive list of active chapels
•        membership and attendance figures
•        information on worship patterns and services
• ·      details of religious and secular community activities.

The census will also assess the current physical condition of chapel buildings, helping identify what resources are needed to safeguard them for the future. Questions relating to historical archives and objects held by congregations will further help evaluate the survival and location of documentary and material heritage associated with Welsh Nonconformity.

For chapels no longer in religious use, the census will gather information on:

•       repurposing and conversion
•       current uses and their impact on the historic fabric
•       demolition
•       vacant and derelict chapels with potential for reuse.

This comprehensive dataset will enable the Royal Commission to analyse patterns of chapel use, closure, and reuse by denomination, region, and over time—providing vital insights to support congregations, conservation, adaptive reuse, and long-term sustainability.

Speaking about the survey, Susan Fielding of the Royal Commission said:

“The 1851 and 1905 censuses provide two invaluable snapshots of the chapels’ past. Our 2026 census will offer a third. Together, they tell an evolving story of faith, community, and identity which is vital in informing national strategies to protect buildings commonly referred to as the ‘National Architecture of Wales’.”

 Call for Community Participation

The Capeli Cymru project team welcomes contributions from congregational members, chapel owners, local residents, and anyone with knowledge of current or former chapels.

Members of the public are invited to take part by completing one of two online questionnaires:

1.  A congregational survey for members of open chapels, collecting information on worship, activities, and building condition.
2.  A general survey for anyone wishing to help by reporting on the status of chapels in their area.

Both questionnaires can be accessed on the Capeli Cymru project page:
  https://rcahmw.gov.uk/projects/capeli-cymru/capeli-cymru-census/

More information about the project  

For more information about the upcoming project events, click here: https://rcahmw.gov.uk/projects/capeli-cymru/capeli-cymru-events/

To join the project newsletter, click here: https://rcahmw.gov.uk/projects/capeli-cymru/join-our-newsletter/

To contact the project: capelicymru@rcahmw.gov.uk

Or:

CBHC – RCAHMW
Ffordd Penglais
Aberystwyth,

Ceredigion
SY23 3BU

Please share what you know about the current and changing use of chapel buildings. Your contribution will help us document Wales’s chapel heritage.

This press release may be shared widely. All text and images are available to reuse- please just remember to include the appropriate image credit. For high-resolution copies, please contact: Nicola.roberts@rcahmw.gov.uk

Notes to editors  

About The Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Wales 

The Royal Commission was established in 1908 and is sponsored by the Welsh Government. As the investigation body and national archive for the historic environment of Wales, it has a lead role in ensuring that Wales’s archaeological, built, and maritime heritage is authoritatively recorded, and seeks to promote the understanding and appreciation of this heritage nationally and internationally. The Commission holds the National Monuments Record of Wales (NMRW) which is the national information resource on the archaeology, architecture, and industrial and maritime history of Wales.  

Follow @RCAHMWales on Instagram, BlueSky, Twitter/X, and Facebook. 

About The National Lottery Heritage Fund  

*Grant applications over £250,000 are assessed in two rounds. Capeli Cymru has initially been granted round one development funding of £151,833 from The National Lottery Heritage Fund, allowing it to progress with its plans. Detailed proposals are then considered by the Heritage Fund at second round, where a final decision is made on the full funding award of £1.25m. 

Our vision is for heritage to be valued, cared for and sustained for everyone, now and in the future. That’s why as the largest funder for the UK’s heritage we are dedicated to supporting projects that connect people and communities to heritage, as set out in our strategic plan, Heritage 2033. Heritage can be anything from the past that people value and want to pass on to future generations. We believe in the power of heritage to ignite the imagination, offer joy and inspiration, and to build pride in place and connection to the past. 

Over the next 10 years, we aim to invest £3.6billion raised for good causes by National Lottery players to make a decisive difference for people, places and communities. 

heritagefund.org.uk 

Follow @HeritageFundUK on Twitter/X, Facebook and Instagram and use #NationalLottery #HeritageFund 

This year Carto-Cymru marks its tenth anniversary. The 2026 symposium will take place as a hybrid event, both online and in person, at the Drwm, The National Library of Wales, Aberystwyth, on Friday 15 May, 10:00am–3:30pm.

This year’s theme, Mapping a World of Change, explores how maps help us understand our changing environment– past, present and future – and how they inform decision-making about the world around us.

The programme will include presentations on the Welsh Enclosure Maps Project, a significant collaboration between the Royal Commission and the National Library of Wales, funded by the Welsh Government. This project is improving access to an important collection of historic maps by digitising and georeferencing them.

Freya Canham and Bethan Evans, the Commission’s Georeferencing Assistants, will present two complementary talks:

• An engaging introduction to the enclosure maps and the challenges of bringing them into the digital age
• A behind-the-scenes look at the innovative techniques used to align historic maps with modern geographic systems—and what this means for research, planning, and the future

The programme also features a range of  talks, including:

• Using historic maps and artificial intelligence (AI) to identify areas of ancient woodland in Wales
• Mining, Maps & Legacy: the role of historic mapping in monitoring disused coal tips today
• Land Use and Wildscapes of Mid-20th Century Britain: digitising the Second Land Utilisation Survey
• Environmental mapping: looking backwards, looking forwards

During the lunch break, in-person attendees are invited to view a selection of exhibits drawn from the archives of the Royal Commission and the National Library of Wales. These will be displayed in the RCAHMW Reading and Search Room and the National Library’s Summers Room, and will feature cartographic and photographic collections, with a particular emphasis on aerial photographs.

Whether you attend in person or join us online, this is an excellent opportunity to connect with researchers, professionals, and enthusiasts passionate about maps, landscapes, and environmental change.

This free event is open to all–everyone is warmly welcome.

For full details and to book your place, please visit: https://ti.to/digital-past/carto-cymru-2026

Carto-Cymru is a partnership event between the Royal Commission and the National Library of Wales, in association with Environment Systems.

A Century of Ceredigion from the Air
Saturday 11 April, 2.30pm

Join Dr Toby Driver, our Senior Investigator (Aerial Survey), for a fascinating talk at the Ceredigion Historical Society’s Annual General Meeting, held at the Drwm, The National Library of Wales.

From the very first aerial photographs of Aberystwyth in 1914 to a Roman camp discovered by airborne laser scanning as recently as March 2026, this lecture explores over a century of landscapes, townscapes, and archaeological discovery in Ceredigion. A truly unmissable talk–everyone is warmly welcome.

Can You Help? A New Snapshot for the 21st Century

The Capeli Cymru team has launched a new Census of Welsh Nonconformist Chapels, aiming to create the first comprehensive picture for over a century of how chapels across Wales are used, their condition, and their role within communities today.

This important national initiative will document everything from active places of worship to chapels that have been repurposed or lost—helping to safeguard this unique heritage for future generations.

We would love your help. You can take part by completing one of two short online questionnaires:

• A congregational survey for members of open chapels  
• A general survey to report on chapels in your area  

This work builds on landmark surveys from 1851 and 1905. By contributing today, you’ll help create a vital new snapshot for the 21st century.

Find out more and take part here:
https://rcahmw.gov.uk/projects/capeli-cymru/capeli-cymru-census/

Capeli Cymru: Preserving the Nonconformist Heritage of Wales is supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund.

Dates for Your Diary

• Wednesday 6 May
  Swansea, Y Storfa
  Capeli Cymru – Join the Conversation!
  Following a successful first workshop in Holyhead, our Capeli Cymru project continues this spring with more opportunities to get involved.  

• Saturday 9 May
  National Library of Wales, Aberystwyth
  Capeli Cymru – Join the Conversation!
  A further chance to take part, share your knowledge, and contribute to this important national project

• Friday 15 May, 10am–3.30pm
  Mapping a World of Change: Carto-Cymru – The Wales Map Symposium 2026

• Thursday 28 May, 11am & 4pm
  Hay Festival Guided Walks
  To celebrate the launch of new historical maps of Brecon and Hay, enjoy guided walks around historic Hay led by Richard Suggett, former Senior Investigator

• 1–8 August 2026
  Eisteddfod y Garreg Las
  We’ll be at this year’s National Eisteddfod with a stand showcasing our latest projects, including Historic Welsh Place Names and Capeli Cymru. Please come and say helo—we look forward to seeing you!

Booking details for our May events will follow shortly.

From our Archives

We hope you enjoy this remarkable image above from a postcard published by Glyn Davies and rediscovered in 1995 by our former Commissioner, Tom Lloyd. It shows the Crucifixion carefully shaped in topiary at Glyn Aur, a small Victorian villa in Abergwili, Carmarthenshire.

The garden featured an extraordinary series of biblical scenes, including the Last Supper, the Flight into Egypt, King Herod’s Feast, and Noah’s Ark—transforming a domestic garden into a living biblical narrative.

Discover more about this remarkable collection on Coflein: https://coflein.gov.uk/en/sites/494  

Working closely with the Mapping Officer and the Research Manager at the Royal Commission, this critical role will also support future vectorisation work, with the maps made available online through ArcGIS Online (AGOL). These opportunities would particularly suit recent graduates seeking to gain practical experience in geospatial technologies and historical mapping before progressing to the next stage of their careers.

The successful candidates will join a friendly and dynamic team, with highly skilled and qualified staff who are enthusiastic, focused and committed to their work. The role is based at our offices within the National Library of Wales in Aberystwyth.  Our innovative long-term programme ensures Wales historical maps are visible and accessible online  – dive into Historic Maps Wales or our Deep Mapping Estate Archives project to discover more about the work of the team.

Established in 1908 and sponsored by the Welsh Government, the Royal Commission delivers a vital arm of the Welsh historic environment service – surveying, investigating, recording the historic environment and managing the built environment and archaeological archive of Wales. Through our publications, online services and our public search room at the National Library in Aberystwyth, we help the people connect with, understand and appreciate our shared heritage – both nationally and internationally.

If you:

• Have a degree in a relevant subject such as geography, remote sensing, heritage, history, archaeology, or an equivalent professional qualification in a relevant area or equivalent relevant experience

• Have experience georeferencing and working with GIS software (ArcPro, QGIS, MapInfo) and geospatial data

• Are comfortable with a repetitive task and have a good understanding of geospatial data, the importance of spatial accuracy and.

• Are comfortable maintaining a work log of progress using Excel to provide updated figures to the project team and experience of using SharePoint and other commonly used software applications.

We want to hear from you!

Further details, including application forms, can be found on our current vacancies page. For an informal discussion about this role please contact Jon Dollery, Mapping Officer on 01970 621212 or email jon.dollery@rcahmw.gov.uk

Fixed term contract to end 31/03/2027.

Salary £27,303 to £29,292 per annum (plus benefits)

37 hours per week

The closing date for applications is 09:00, 2 April 2026