Trust helps to build on the past

The New Inn well house following restoration-Photo courtesy of the Village Alive Trust

The Village Alive Trust is helping to preserve a number of historic rural buildings around Llangattock Lingoed near Abergavenny.

The Trust was set up in 2004 following the Foot and Mouth Disease outbreak when European Community cash was made available to regenerate rural areas.

Restored buildings include a cider house and a well house.

There's a chance to view the buildings saved by the trust on Saturday 18th April between 2pm and 5pm.

Pat Griffiths from the Village Alive Trust tells us more about their work:

'In 2004 European Community cash became available to regenerate rural areas in Wales affected by the Foot and Mouth Disease outbreak. Rev Dr Jean Prosser, the area's non-stipendiary parish priest had already been involved in a successful campaign to restore St Cadoc's, the historic medieval church at Llangattock Lingoed and save it from closure.

The New Inn well house before restoration. Photo courtesy of the Village Alive Trust

'Jean built on the success of St Cadoc's and formed a group to bid for grant under the Rural Development Plan for Wales. The Village Alive Trust (Ymddiriedolaeth Y Pentre Byw) was born and several endangered listed buildings on local farms have since been saved.

'The Trust works with farmers, Monmouthshire County Council, the Welsh Assembly Government, Cadw and the Architectural Heritage Fund among others. Members' skills range from law, building conservation, sociology, genealogy and website skills to journalism, landscape architecture, graphic design and illustration. Jean Prosser is secretary.

'Stefan Horowskyj of Abergavenny architects Morgan and Horowkskyj, is the Trust's architect. In return for the Trust gaining funding and expert restoration of endangered buildings, owners sign up to allow public access on specified open days.

'The buildings include a Grade 2 18th century well house at New Inn Farm, Cross Ash; a Grade 2 pyramidal roofed well house in the same village and a purpose-built Grade 2 Cider House at Cwm Farm, Llangattock dated 1754.

'The Trust is engaged in its most ambitious project to date, the Grade 2* 17th century Great Trerhew Barn at Llanvetherine. Listed pigscotts at the nearby Whitecastle Farm will also be conserved.

'New Inn well house was used to store spring water for the former inn. It had become overgrown and the front wall collapsed after it fell out of use. The collapse gave an insight into the building's construction and restoration followed with the pitched stone roof rebuilt and the deep, below ground cistern lime-washed.

The restored gable end of the Cwm Farm Cider House - Photo courtesy of Village Alive Trust

'At Cwm Farm, the cider mill is still in situ in the cider house. The building's south gable wall and external steps to the fruit loft were restored with the vernacular dog kennel built in underneath. The wooden screw for the press still stands in its purpose-built semi-circular recess and a stone chute survives to deliver the stored fruit, mainly perry pears, to a horse-powered stone mill.

'The Barn at Great Trerhew, Llanvetherine will be completed thanks to Axis 3 and Cadw funding. The huge building lies at the heart of a historic farm complex and is thought to have links with the nearby Whitecastle.

'Still in agricultural use, the Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings, describes it as 'a large 17th century range mostly open to the roof, but with a lofted cow-house at one end, a gabled porch, and an imposing frontage facing the farmhouse, with two matching cross wings added in 1696, one incorporating a cider house.'

'Two medieval fairs, complete with maypole dancing and cider tasting, have been held at the farm showcasing rural crafts, such as bee-keeping and spinning, as well as giving hundreds of visitors a memorable day out.'

'Visitors will have their first chance this year to see the restoration work completed by the Trust during the Open Afternoon on Saturday April 18th. There's also chance to visit the historic church at Llangattock Lingoed where tea will be served.

'All the sites will be signposted off the B4521 Abergavenny to Skenfrith road and will be open between 2 and 5pm. If the weather is wet stout footwear may be needed. Parking at Cwm Farm, Llangattock Lingoed is limited and visitors may prefer to park at St Cadoc's Church and use the footpath down to the farm.'

See also: www.villagealivetrust.org.uk