BERTHOLEY, Llantrisant, Gwent 1997
Notes on BERTHOLEY, Llantrisant, Gwent 1997 (restored 1999)
Bertholey is situated in a quiet park with wonderful views over a loop in the river Usk. It was rebuilt circa 1790 - the cause of the initial dereliction in 1905 as often the case, a fire. A relative of the owner, drunk, accidentally set fire to the house. It had been left a shell since then.
In its present state, with the mid-range collapsed, one wonders how much longer Bertholey will be allowed to stand. A house attached to a rear wing is still inhabited - a strange set up considering the vulnerability of the property.
With an intricate wrought iron fence and gate surrounding the house and the lawn neatly kept, respectably so by sheep and cows, it was not impossible to imagine Bertholey as a fine building of some stature in its heyday.
A number of exposures were made but i struggled to find the true essence of the house - it lacked the mysteriousness of many ruins but of course this could be down to my own personal feelings on that day, or even the weather. The most successful image was this one, with a bare tree more or less smack bang in the centre of the frame obscuring the mid range (although collasped).
I have only recently discovered that the house was beautifully restored a year after this image was taken.
Bertholey 1997
Bertholey 1997
Bertholey 1997
Bertholey is situated in a quiet park with wonderful views over a loop in the river Usk. It was rebuilt circa 1790 - the cause of the initial dereliction in 1905 as often the case, a fire. A relative of the owner, drunk, accidentally set fire to the house. It had been left a shell since then.
In its present state, with the mid-range collapsed, one wonders how much longer Bertholey will be allowed to stand. A house attached to a rear wing is still inhabited - a strange set up considering the vulnerability of the property.
With an intricate wrought iron fence and gate surrounding the house and the lawn neatly kept, respectably so by sheep and cows, it was not impossible to imagine Bertholey as a fine building of some stature in its heyday.
A number of exposures were made but i struggled to find the true essence of the house - it lacked the mysteriousness of many ruins but of course this could be down to my own personal feelings on that day, or even the weather. The most successful image was this one, with a bare tree more or less smack bang in the centre of the frame obscuring the mid range (although collasped).
I have only recently discovered that the house was beautifully restored a year after this image was taken.
Bertholey 1997
Bertholey 1997
Bertholey 1997
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By Christopher Powell: I was born in Llantrisant (1957) not far from Bertholey. Brought up in Tredunnoc, my 3 brothers and I used to play in these ruins much to the occupants in the building attached at the back annoyance!
Before the A449 sliced through the area, there were the ruins of the old chapel down from the main house. The police force also used a shooting range just adjacent to the Chapel. As you say the house has been restored to its former glory in (I believe) the last 10 years or so. By Audrey Longman: I was evacuated to Bertholey in 1940, and lived with Ivor and Gwen Williams and their family in the farmhouse at the back of the ruin. It was the original house, built in 1616 by Edward Kemeys, who was M.P. for Monmouthshire in 1593 and Sheriff in 1601. The mansion in front was built from 1790 to 1830, by a descendant, the old house at the back then being used as servants' quarters, kitchens etc. When I was there the whole estate was a farm, and the ruin was more complete. I have a photograph of it. I recently visited the Bird family who have restored the ruin beautifully and live there, which was a wonderful treat organised by my daughter for my 90th birthday. I have maintained my connection with Llantrisant and my friends there all through the years, spending more holidays there that I can count. By Audrey Longman: I was evacuated to Bertholey in 1940, and lived with Ivor and Gwen Williams and their family in the farmhouse at the back of the ruin. It was the original house, built in 1616 by Edward Kemeys, who was M.P. for Monmouthshire in 1593 and Sheriff in 1601. The mansion in front was built from 1790 to 1830, by a descendant, the old house at the back then being used as servants' quarters, kitchens etc. When I was there the whole estate was a farm, and the ruin was more complete. I have a photograph of it. I recently visited the Bird family who have restored the ruin beautifully and live there, which was a wonderful treat organised by my daughter for my 90th birthday. I have maintained my connection with Llantrisant and my friends there all through the years, spending more holidays there that I can count. By Audrey Longman: I was evacuated to Bertholey in 1940, and lived with Ivor and Gwen Williams and their family in the farmhouse at the back of the ruin. It was the original house, built in 1616 by Edward Kemeys, who was M.P. for Monmouthshire in 1593 and Sheriff in 1601. The mansion in front was built from 1790 to 1830, by a descendant, the old house at the back then being used as servants' quarters, kitchens etc. When I was there the whole estate was a farm, and the ruin was more complete. I have a photograph of it. I recently visited the Bird family who have restored the ruin beautifully and live there, which was a wonderful treat organised by my daughter for my 90th birthday. I have maintained my connection with Llantrisant and my friends there all through the years, spending more holidays there that I can count. By Marc Glorieux: I am French and living in northern France. Ever since I was a young boy, I spent vacations with my family on the coast of Pas-de-Calais, Boulogne area.
In the dunes of Condette (near Hardelot), we had a favourite "walk target" that we called "Le Fils Bien-Aimé" (the well-beloved son).
It consisted in finding an about 10 feet high obelisk, planted in the dunes, less than half a mile from the sea shore.
This obelisk still stands but now a forest has grown around it, which makes it difficult to find.
And here comes the point ! :
On two sides of this obelisk is engraved a text, a version of which is in French and the other in English. Unfortunately, the text in English has been somewhat erased by time and I couldn't retranscribe it exactly.
I approximately translate the french text to english as follows :
“This monument is erected in commemoration of death of Frederic, well beloved son of Colhurst Bateman, Esq, of Bertholey House Monmouthshire. In the prime of life, he left his home on October 12, 1847. Alas, he would never come back. An unexpected explosion of its rifle blew his brains out and he fell inanimate into the very place where this monument stands. His grieved parents were deprived of a 22 year old, tenderly loved son, who possessed most estimable qualities and was cherished of his many friends”
If you read french, the exact french text is the following :
“Ce monument est érigé en commémoration de la mort de Frederic, fils bien-aimé de Colhurst Bateman, Esq, de Bertholey House Monmouthshire. A la fleur de l’âge, il quitta sa demeure le 12 octobre 1847. Hélas, il n’y devait plus revenir. Une explosion inattendue de son fusil lui fit sauter la cervelle et il tomba inanimé dans le lieu-même ou s’élève ce monument. Ses parents chagrinés se virent privés d’un fils de 22 ans, fils tendrement aimé qui réunissait les qualités les plus estimables et était chéri de ses nombreux amis”
I was wondering whether there were known descendants to Colthurst BATEMAN, and if the existence of this obelisk was known to them or to other residents of Bertholey House.
In case you (or anyone else interested) would like to have more information, it would be a pleasure for me to send it. (map location, photos ...)
As far as I am concerned, I’d appreciate any further information on the event itself and on the Bateman family.
One question I always have been wondering about is why and how this young man happened to be in that area at that time, as it seems to me that in 1847 there were absolutely no seaside resorts around and those dunes were probably more desert region than anything else !
Or was Bateman family also established in France ?
Hoping I’ll get to know more about all of this sad story...