Photographs, Artifacts, Articles from Contributors
23rd June 2020
Throughout the years people have emailed or posted me various articles, photographs, artifacts, interesting comments/stories etc... Here is a collection of those items. I do not hold the copyright but hopefully the owners will not mind me sharing... If you have anything to contribute, any old photographs, letters, memories then please email me at paulwhite@welshruins.co.uk
Letter to Tynyheol House, Tonna (supplied by John Astill)
Newspaper article possibly Cambrian News (circa mid-1990's)
Blaen Baglan Floorplan
Newspaper Article from 'Cambrian News' circa early 2000's(?)
Edwinsford photographed by Dun Ayers(circa late 1980's???)
"My husband's mother stayed at this mansion when she was a young woman, probably in the 1930s, at which time I think a relative of hers may have lived there. I have a Welsh quilt that she gave me and which she told me came from Edwinsford."
Comment left by Shelley Day Sclater
"My mother, Cora Rogers, taught at Edwinsford during the 2nd world war. The Jewish boys school had been evacuated from Brighton and located at Edwinsford. My mother taught French there during the war years, and related many happy occasions to me. I know that the years she spent at Edwinsford we extremely happy and memorable.
I have visited Tally area over the years and, feel saddened to see Edwinsford in a state of disrepair.
I would be so happy to hear from anyone who may remember my mother, Cora Rogers, and have some memories of her at this time of her life."
Comment left by Babs Sketchley.
The Hermitage (photo supplied by Kevin Norley from Internet)
Photograph of The Hermitage taken from 'Hills and Vales of the Black Mountain District on the Borders of Brecon' by Richard Baker-Gable
"Got picked up from there after a trek over the Black Mountains as a Boy Soldier in 1957. I actually saw a Red Squirrel there. Never forgotten it." (Comment left by George Thompson)
Gwarallt, near Tregaron courtesy of Mari Elin Jones.
Dressing Mill, Cwmystwyth Mines 1981 supplied by Paul Shinton
on MAES MYNACH, Cilcennin, Ceredigion...
http://www.cambrian-news.co.uk/article.cfm?id=122662&headline=Historic%20house%20to%20be%20rebuilt%20by%20local%20family§ionIs=news&searchyear=2018
"Dear Paul - I return to your lovely website often, and today''s visit is especially emotional for me. I rented Maes Mynach, Cilcennin from late 1976 to 1981. In those days it was still habitable (electric, water piped in from a spring) and I was young and fit enough to bear the cold, the draughts, the Elsan ... Nice to see my green paint on the back door is still holding up! The landlord, Sylvan Jones, whose farmhouse was down in Talsarn, was very emotionally attached to the place, and would invariably effect repairs, however botched, when slates blew off. Sadly, he died in the yard sometime in the 1980s when his old Fergie tractor overturned and crushed him at Maes Mynach. The house and outbuildings were inherited by daughter and son-in-law: the latter’s first action was to punch out the doors and windows to render the place uninhabitable (although, to be absolutely fair, the blizzard at the end of 1981 that forced my departure had already done a lot of damage). I regard my 5 years in this crumbling and exposed house as a pivotal period in my life, and it still figures in my dreams to this day. It's incredibly sad to see it in this ruinous state ... how I loved this house and my time there. It was once a grange farm connected to Strata Florida Abbey, and the existing building would certainly not have been the first one on the site. It also has intriguing musical links: the early 1970s rock band Heads Hands & Feet (including world-famous guitarist Albert Lee) lived there for a few months in 1973, and the sleeve of their LP Old Soldiers Never Die (1974) has photos taken at the house ... I'm also a musician/songwriter and, oddly enough, am about to release a retrospective CD of songs, some of which were either written at Maes Mynach or are influenced by my time there. So finding your photographs this morning is serendipitous and emotional for me. I have a number of photos of the house taken around 1980/81, plus a couple taken shortly after the 2nd World War, when Sylvan''s elderly spinster aunt lived there with her animals..." Comment by Andrew Hawkey.
"What a tug at the heart strings. My brother Chris and I spent many a happy summer holiday here with Aunty Kate & Wilson. Yes you had livestock running around the kitchen but that was Aunty Kate's pure love of everyone. I remember the roaring fire, above it an embroidery, No Cross, No Crown, I wonder what happened to that ? The main reason for this post is for the gentleman who is rebuilding Maes Mynach is, please lookout for a bottle in the cow shed wall to the right of the house as you are looking at it from the front, because my brother cemented it in there whilst doing repairs. My brother recently passed away and it would mean alot that he was still there. Much love to Maes Mynach x" Comment left by Cherril Evans.
"I knew Kate, Sylvan mentioned above spinster aunt and Wilson her farm hand who lived there with her and a couple of cows, one was blind if I recall correctly. I used to go there with my Grandfather who farmed next door in Blaenberllan. My uncle farms there now and actually owns Maesmynach now having bought it from Sylvan's daughter in about 2005 Kate and Wilson lived there till the early 70's , they used to sell milk from there to the MMB, Wilson would take the one churn on the peddle of his bike to the end of the lane for the lorry to collect. I am afraid it would have been a hard life living up there as they did, tea in the house was an experience with the cats and dogs and chickens walking in and out of the house. I believe plans are a foot to renovate and re establish a dwelling there soon." Comment left by Terry Downes.
LLANGENNECH PARK HOUSE
www.coflein.gov.uk/
Image taken from www.artuk.org
Image taken from www.artuk.org
Anomynous message on website concerning LLANGENNECH PARK HOUSE
"This is the reply I received from Carmarthenshire County Council.
Thank you for your e-mail of the 3rd January 2011 and apologise for the delayed response, at present there is considerable interest in historic buildings which have resulted a large number of queries.
The County Council has no power to list a building; that power lies solely with the Welsh Assembly Government and have copied this e-mail to Cadw for their information..
In reviewing the file the authority hold on the building I note the County Council’s Conservation Section brought the property to the attention of Cadw in June 1998, but following an inspection, Cadw decided not to list the building. Notwithstanding the above, the Conservation Section also tried to persuade the then owner not to demolish the building.
The building is not therefore listed nor lies within a conservation area.
Although of historic interest, the condition and lack of conservation status means that, as with a large number of other similar buildings, it would not have any priority if money becomes available to restore historic buildings in the County. I’m sure you will appreciate that even in the good financial times there is insufficient money to repair and maintain all the listed buildings let alone non listed buildings.
I’m sure you will be disappointed with this reply, but will again appreciate that the Authority is not in a position to do more to safe guard historic buildings given the limited resources available. Head of Planning"
MAESGWYNNE, Llanboidy, Caramrthenshire
I never managed to get permission to visit Maesgwynne when I first visited in 1996. Unfortunately by the time I revisited in 2001 nothing remained of the house other than a large crater with rubble.
From Narberth Museum
Photographed by Dun Ayers (circa early 1990's ???)
Extract taken from 'The Lost Houses of Wales by Tom Lloyd'.
TRIMLEY HALL Llanfynydd, Flintshire
I visited Trimley Hall in 1998 but there was no one at home in adjacent bungalow to ask permission. I left wondering if I should have just walked a round anyway. My intention was to return at a later date but true to form, that later date has never materialised.
Taken from 'The Lost Houses of Wales' by Tom Lloyd
Taken from Googlemaps - shows the house in a good condition.
Taken from www.coflein.gov.uk
BRONWYDD MANSION, Ceredigion - demolished 2018
So sad to see this house reduced to a crater. I haven't been to see it myself but have met the pragmatic owner a few times. The building was unlisted.
Taken from YouTube.
Taken from www.coflein.gov.uk
Courtesy of Dun Ayers (late 80's?/early 90's?)
1996 (my first visit).
2010 (second visit).
I made a few more visits in 2011 and 2015. I do not feel it necessary to visit the empty site.
Comments from website since demolished:
By Anon: Sad to say that this beautiful ruin was totally demolished without notice, at the end of 2018 by its owner. Such an iconic landmark for many local people, old and new, historians, archaeologists and lovers of eccentric and breath-taking architecture. What a waste!
By Melanie Heath: I was planning to return to take more pictures, very upset to hear of the demolition. I've been a few times and felt it had a special atmosphere.
ABERGLASNEY, Llangathen (early 1990's?) - images taken by Dun Ayers.
See my photos of Aberglasney here: https://www.welshruins.co.uk/aberglasney 1994 - 2018
Letter to Tynyheol House, Tonna (supplied by John Astill)
Newspaper article possibly Cambrian News (circa mid-1990's)
Blaen Baglan Floorplan
Newspaper Article from 'Cambrian News' circa early 2000's(?)
Edwinsford photographed by Dun Ayers(circa late 1980's???)
"My husband's mother stayed at this mansion when she was a young woman, probably in the 1930s, at which time I think a relative of hers may have lived there. I have a Welsh quilt that she gave me and which she told me came from Edwinsford."
Comment left by Shelley Day Sclater
"My mother, Cora Rogers, taught at Edwinsford during the 2nd world war. The Jewish boys school had been evacuated from Brighton and located at Edwinsford. My mother taught French there during the war years, and related many happy occasions to me. I know that the years she spent at Edwinsford we extremely happy and memorable.
I have visited Tally area over the years and, feel saddened to see Edwinsford in a state of disrepair.
I would be so happy to hear from anyone who may remember my mother, Cora Rogers, and have some memories of her at this time of her life."
Comment left by Babs Sketchley.
The Hermitage (photo supplied by Kevin Norley from Internet)
Photograph of The Hermitage taken from 'Hills and Vales of the Black Mountain District on the Borders of Brecon' by Richard Baker-Gable
"Got picked up from there after a trek over the Black Mountains as a Boy Soldier in 1957. I actually saw a Red Squirrel there. Never forgotten it." (Comment left by George Thompson)
Gwarallt, near Tregaron courtesy of Mari Elin Jones.
Dressing Mill, Cwmystwyth Mines 1981 supplied by Paul Shinton
on MAES MYNACH, Cilcennin, Ceredigion...
http://www.cambrian-news.co.uk/article.cfm?id=122662&headline=Historic%20house%20to%20be%20rebuilt%20by%20local%20family§ionIs=news&searchyear=2018
"Dear Paul - I return to your lovely website often, and today''s visit is especially emotional for me. I rented Maes Mynach, Cilcennin from late 1976 to 1981. In those days it was still habitable (electric, water piped in from a spring) and I was young and fit enough to bear the cold, the draughts, the Elsan ... Nice to see my green paint on the back door is still holding up! The landlord, Sylvan Jones, whose farmhouse was down in Talsarn, was very emotionally attached to the place, and would invariably effect repairs, however botched, when slates blew off. Sadly, he died in the yard sometime in the 1980s when his old Fergie tractor overturned and crushed him at Maes Mynach. The house and outbuildings were inherited by daughter and son-in-law: the latter’s first action was to punch out the doors and windows to render the place uninhabitable (although, to be absolutely fair, the blizzard at the end of 1981 that forced my departure had already done a lot of damage). I regard my 5 years in this crumbling and exposed house as a pivotal period in my life, and it still figures in my dreams to this day. It's incredibly sad to see it in this ruinous state ... how I loved this house and my time there. It was once a grange farm connected to Strata Florida Abbey, and the existing building would certainly not have been the first one on the site. It also has intriguing musical links: the early 1970s rock band Heads Hands & Feet (including world-famous guitarist Albert Lee) lived there for a few months in 1973, and the sleeve of their LP Old Soldiers Never Die (1974) has photos taken at the house ... I'm also a musician/songwriter and, oddly enough, am about to release a retrospective CD of songs, some of which were either written at Maes Mynach or are influenced by my time there. So finding your photographs this morning is serendipitous and emotional for me. I have a number of photos of the house taken around 1980/81, plus a couple taken shortly after the 2nd World War, when Sylvan''s elderly spinster aunt lived there with her animals..." Comment by Andrew Hawkey.
"What a tug at the heart strings. My brother Chris and I spent many a happy summer holiday here with Aunty Kate & Wilson. Yes you had livestock running around the kitchen but that was Aunty Kate's pure love of everyone. I remember the roaring fire, above it an embroidery, No Cross, No Crown, I wonder what happened to that ? The main reason for this post is for the gentleman who is rebuilding Maes Mynach is, please lookout for a bottle in the cow shed wall to the right of the house as you are looking at it from the front, because my brother cemented it in there whilst doing repairs. My brother recently passed away and it would mean alot that he was still there. Much love to Maes Mynach x" Comment left by Cherril Evans.
"I knew Kate, Sylvan mentioned above spinster aunt and Wilson her farm hand who lived there with her and a couple of cows, one was blind if I recall correctly. I used to go there with my Grandfather who farmed next door in Blaenberllan. My uncle farms there now and actually owns Maesmynach now having bought it from Sylvan's daughter in about 2005 Kate and Wilson lived there till the early 70's , they used to sell milk from there to the MMB, Wilson would take the one churn on the peddle of his bike to the end of the lane for the lorry to collect. I am afraid it would have been a hard life living up there as they did, tea in the house was an experience with the cats and dogs and chickens walking in and out of the house. I believe plans are a foot to renovate and re establish a dwelling there soon." Comment left by Terry Downes.
LLANGENNECH PARK HOUSE
www.coflein.gov.uk/
Image taken from www.artuk.org
Image taken from www.artuk.org
Anomynous message on website concerning LLANGENNECH PARK HOUSE
"This is the reply I received from Carmarthenshire County Council.
Thank you for your e-mail of the 3rd January 2011 and apologise for the delayed response, at present there is considerable interest in historic buildings which have resulted a large number of queries.
The County Council has no power to list a building; that power lies solely with the Welsh Assembly Government and have copied this e-mail to Cadw for their information..
In reviewing the file the authority hold on the building I note the County Council’s Conservation Section brought the property to the attention of Cadw in June 1998, but following an inspection, Cadw decided not to list the building. Notwithstanding the above, the Conservation Section also tried to persuade the then owner not to demolish the building.
The building is not therefore listed nor lies within a conservation area.
Although of historic interest, the condition and lack of conservation status means that, as with a large number of other similar buildings, it would not have any priority if money becomes available to restore historic buildings in the County. I’m sure you will appreciate that even in the good financial times there is insufficient money to repair and maintain all the listed buildings let alone non listed buildings.
I’m sure you will be disappointed with this reply, but will again appreciate that the Authority is not in a position to do more to safe guard historic buildings given the limited resources available. Head of Planning"
MAESGWYNNE, Llanboidy, Caramrthenshire
I never managed to get permission to visit Maesgwynne when I first visited in 1996. Unfortunately by the time I revisited in 2001 nothing remained of the house other than a large crater with rubble.
From Narberth Museum
Photographed by Dun Ayers (circa early 1990's ???)
Extract taken from 'The Lost Houses of Wales by Tom Lloyd'.
TRIMLEY HALL Llanfynydd, Flintshire
I visited Trimley Hall in 1998 but there was no one at home in adjacent bungalow to ask permission. I left wondering if I should have just walked a round anyway. My intention was to return at a later date but true to form, that later date has never materialised.
Taken from 'The Lost Houses of Wales' by Tom Lloyd
Taken from Googlemaps - shows the house in a good condition.
Taken from www.coflein.gov.uk
BRONWYDD MANSION, Ceredigion - demolished 2018
So sad to see this house reduced to a crater. I haven't been to see it myself but have met the pragmatic owner a few times. The building was unlisted.
Taken from YouTube.
Taken from www.coflein.gov.uk
Courtesy of Dun Ayers (late 80's?/early 90's?)
1996 (my first visit).
2010 (second visit).
I made a few more visits in 2011 and 2015. I do not feel it necessary to visit the empty site.
Comments from website since demolished:
By Anon: Sad to say that this beautiful ruin was totally demolished without notice, at the end of 2018 by its owner. Such an iconic landmark for many local people, old and new, historians, archaeologists and lovers of eccentric and breath-taking architecture. What a waste!
By Melanie Heath: I was planning to return to take more pictures, very upset to hear of the demolition. I've been a few times and felt it had a special atmosphere.
ABERGLASNEY, Llangathen (early 1990's?) - images taken by Dun Ayers.
See my photos of Aberglasney here: https://www.welshruins.co.uk/aberglasney 1994 - 2018
Comments
By TIMOTHY PAUL JAMES: This is a great but very sad collection of images. Really interesting to see the ceilings at Edwinsford before they fell to the ground. What a waste!