BLAEN BLODAU, New Inn, Carmarthenshire 2009
Notes on BLAEN BLODAU, New Inn, Carmarthenshire 2009
This image encapsulates all i seek to achieve with this project. It contains many of the elements you find whilst wandering around many of the mansions shown on this website; overgrown and mature grounds, a ruined house (although barely visible in this image) and a feeling of tranquility and sorrow. I find the compositional elements all suceessful. The large soft-wood filling much of the frame but also the open gate leading to the steps at the rear of the house and then a thin conifer on the far left rising to the top of the frame.
As recorded in the much revered ‘Buildings of Wales’ series (which now covers of whole of Wales, county by county) and also, with photographs, in ‘Welsh Forgotten Houses’. Blaen Blodau was a very pleasant surprise.
Larger than the photographs suggest in ‘Forgottten Welsh Houses’ yet neither too large to be considered a rambling pile with two storey’s settled on a basement. Inside is dark, damp and supported with wooden scaffolding – I peered through the side door but did not bother to enter. Two curved rear bays and a front curved bay obscured by a rendered late Victorian/early 20th century overhanging porch (which gives this house a very peculiar appearance). Beautiful and vast firs scatter the overgrown grounds with a short driveway wending itself around to the house.
A farm dog barked constantly whilst I was there, unable to see me but obviously aware of my presence. I circled the house and made a number of exposures. The morning had yet to truly break and long exposures were required of around 4 minutes. An air of calmness enveloped the house and grounds and one could imagine once some of the high branches were thinned and more light would enter the house and grounds that this would be a wonderful place to live.
A small but lovely coach house also in grounds.
Blaen Blodau Coach House 2009
Blaen Blodau 2009
Blaen Blodau 2009
Blaen Blodau 2009
Blaen Blodau 2009
Blaen Blodau 2009
Blaen Blodau 2009
Blaen Blodau 2009
Blaen Blodau 2009
Blaen Blodau 2009
View beside Blaen Blodau 2009
This image encapsulates all i seek to achieve with this project. It contains many of the elements you find whilst wandering around many of the mansions shown on this website; overgrown and mature grounds, a ruined house (although barely visible in this image) and a feeling of tranquility and sorrow. I find the compositional elements all suceessful. The large soft-wood filling much of the frame but also the open gate leading to the steps at the rear of the house and then a thin conifer on the far left rising to the top of the frame.
As recorded in the much revered ‘Buildings of Wales’ series (which now covers of whole of Wales, county by county) and also, with photographs, in ‘Welsh Forgotten Houses’. Blaen Blodau was a very pleasant surprise.
Larger than the photographs suggest in ‘Forgottten Welsh Houses’ yet neither too large to be considered a rambling pile with two storey’s settled on a basement. Inside is dark, damp and supported with wooden scaffolding – I peered through the side door but did not bother to enter. Two curved rear bays and a front curved bay obscured by a rendered late Victorian/early 20th century overhanging porch (which gives this house a very peculiar appearance). Beautiful and vast firs scatter the overgrown grounds with a short driveway wending itself around to the house.
A farm dog barked constantly whilst I was there, unable to see me but obviously aware of my presence. I circled the house and made a number of exposures. The morning had yet to truly break and long exposures were required of around 4 minutes. An air of calmness enveloped the house and grounds and one could imagine once some of the high branches were thinned and more light would enter the house and grounds that this would be a wonderful place to live.
A small but lovely coach house also in grounds.
Blaen Blodau Coach House 2009
Blaen Blodau 2009
Blaen Blodau 2009
Blaen Blodau 2009
Blaen Blodau 2009
Blaen Blodau 2009
Blaen Blodau 2009
Blaen Blodau 2009
Blaen Blodau 2009
Blaen Blodau 2009
View beside Blaen Blodau 2009
|
Comments
By Mrs Kathy Clark: Sadness and many happy memories enveloped me when I came across the photographs of BBH as it was known when I grew up there.
As the author of this article on the net has written ,it was a wonderful place to live.
Tranquil and peaceful originally built around 1795. The photographs a sad but also capture the spirit of beauty of a long lost era ,when the property was in it hay day when my grandparents used entertain a lot , have charity events in the house and grounds which were kept beautiful maintained by a number of staff employed in the garden sand house.
I recall the tennis parties in the early fifties which as small child were very exciting.
Should anyone wish to contact me regarding this beautiful old house which has been in my family for well over a century,please do so via my email. By Sam Johnson: I wonder if it is possible to have my details forwarded to the author of the previous comment, so that I may get in contact. I would wish to know a little more of the history of Blaen Blodau Hall (or BBH!). By Mrs Beverley Johnson: I would very much like to contact Mrs Kathy Clark regarding Blaen Blodau. My gr. gr. grandparents lived here in 1893, both passing in this year. I believe my great grandfather continued to live here, but have no idea for how long. Any information would be most welcome. Thanks. By Mrs Beverley Johnson: I would very much like to contact Mrs Kathy Clark regarding Blaen Blodau. My gr. gr. grandparents lived here in 1893, both passing in this year. I believe my great grandfather continued to live here, but have no idea for how long. Any information would be most welcome. Thanks. By Kevin Murphy: Hello, I see that this wonderful building is up for sale. I very much like to contact Mrs Kathy Clark if at all possible.
Thank you By Gareth Cadogan: Hi there, have just read a charming article online regarding this property being up for sale, much like the comment earlier on the thread. Would welcome making contact with Mrs Clark. By Andrea miles: Stunning house I’m completely bewitched by its beauty it’s so enchanting I want to view Asap By Andrea miles: Stunning house I’m completely bewitched by its beauty it’s so enchanting I want to view Asap By LIZZIE HALLS: I would Love to own this dream house and find out more about it's history. Who owns it now ad does it share water supply and drainage with the coach house and farm? When it was sold in 1999 were are renovation was carried out? Any information would be wonderful thank ou By Stefanie: Is is possible to get a bit more history on this charming historic building By Michael humphries: Looks so lovely the house been trying to find out its council tax satus
as old old houses when they come of a register /
You many not get permission to re live in the house as it may not be straight forward/
has it not be restored befour why ?
Has any one any information on this By Bear: You may want to re think those romantic thoughts of buying, and living there.
Why was the house left to rack and ruin in the first place?
Anyone who has had to suffer tall ceilings and sash cord windows will know how hellish cold and draughty it gets. No you can not fit double or secondary glassing as the house is listed grade II. There are no central heating radiators to be seen anywhere, and there probably is no gas main for about twenty miles. Rural Briton for the most part does not have gas. Which leaves coal or wood which is expensive, and for about twelve rooms. You can't chop down the trees for fuel, only if it is considered a danger by the authorises. Night storage heaters is the obvious choice, but at today's electricity prices for this many rooms the bill would still be hefty.
The house has a damp problem and the main floor joists are rotted, but what can't we see? Why has this property's value spectacularly gone down like the Titanic when all others have gone up like a rocket? By Kevin Agg: I purchased a copy of Mrs Beetons everyday cookery book and inside was a Christmas card addressed to Capt. And Mrs W M Davies at the hall from the 1950s By Kathryn: I have a bible belonging to my Grandfather John Thomas Harries Davies with this as his address dated 1925. By Fingers: 12/4/21 Hi, does ayone know the state of play with the building now, as it was sold before the last auction, about a year ago.
Has it been restored? Left to rot? Please could we have some more information. I would really like to buy it and restore it; ever since I discovered it on line just over a year ago I can't get it out of my mind.
Paul, maybe an up date? Please :)