Welsh Castle News 
last updated November 2002
last updated November 2002
The purpose of this page is to feature recent castle and medieval history news from across Wales and the Marches. Most of the items are taken directly from our monthly newsletter. What's that? You didn't know that we offered a free monthly e-mail newsletter? Just send e-mail to jltbalt1@comcast.net if you would like to become a subscriber.Our news page features information on recent castle excavations, new publications, upcoming castle conferences, and other just-for-fun stories. We invite anyone who comes across an interesting Welsh castle news story to submit it to us so we can perhaps share it with our visitors. Thanks, and enjoy!
November 2002
HISTORICAL BREAKTHROUGH
© 2002 Cadw: Welsh Historic Monuments
A blocked 13th century doorway, the original entrance to Chepstow Castle's Great Hall, has been opened-up for the first time in over 250 years. Following the delicate conservation operation by Cadw stonemasons, visitors can now enter the Great Hall by the same route taken by the castle's inhabitants over seven centuries ago.
The newly opened doorway provides access to a highly ornate carved porch. Recent conservation work has revealed a fine vaulted ceiling and traces of the original painted decoration from 1292, in the form of two shields. It is thought the doorway may have been blocked during construction of a house, built in this part of the castle by the Beaufort Estate, sometime in the eighteenth century. The grandeur of the porch befits its status as the main entry to the private quarters of the powerful nobleman, Roger Bigod, fifth earl of Norfolk. The earl transformed Chepstow into a palatial stronghold in the late thirteenth century.
Today, his porch is approached via a modern platform which stands over a stone lined pit, originally about 4ft deep. The pit seems to have been for a drawbridge, designed to give an impression, that this great range of buildings could be defended or isolated from the west of the castle.
The work undertaken to open up the doorway is part of a larger ongoing conservation programme at Chepstow Castle. The works programme has also improved access to other parts of the castle previously closed to the public, including the original spiral stone staircase of the main gatehouse, the oldest twin-towered gatehouse of its kind in Britain.
http://www.cadw.wales.gov.uk/news/chepstow.htm
October 2002
Prince Llewelyn’s Last Stronghold is Finally Unearthed
NINETEEN summers of painstaking excavations are about to bear fruit with the opening of the last castle built by Prince Llywelyn ap Gruffydd. Dolforwyn Castle was constructed near Newtown, Powys, as a symbol of Welsh defiance but soon fell to the English. After a short period of English control, it fell into ruin and eventually lay buried and undisturbed for centuries.
Excavations started in 1981 after the site was gifted to Cadw by landowner Dr John "JDK" Lloyd, of Garthmyl, before his death. The keen archaeologist died before work was completed but Cadw are confident he would have approved of what now stands at the site. When archaeologists from York University began just a few jagged stumps of masonry poked through the turf high on a hill overlooking Abermule and the Severn Valley. Only the Round tower could be made out with any certainty. Now, for the first time, the public will have unrestricted access to the ruined fortress, built in 1272 by Wales' last independent Prince.
The archaeologists have been able to gain a fascinating insight into life at the castle - which remained in Welsh hands for just five years before being besieged and conquered by Llywelyn's arch enemy, the Constable of Montgomery Castle, Roger Mortimer. Dr Lawrence Butler, who led the excavations over 20 years, said the main concern was to understand what life had been like in the castle.
Artefacts found included catapult balls from the siege, part of a bone crucifix probably from the cover of a prayer book, harp pegs from the Welsh occupation, pottery from France, Spain and England and lead pay tokens used by the English for workers. A string of beads of polished shale, amber and elephant ivory from an ornament were also uncovered. Archaeologists also found extensive evidence of animals, which had been killed and eaten, including oysters from Essex and mussels from the Conwy estuary. "All of this gave us an idea of what life and conditions were like," Dr Butler said.
The cannon balls and missile shells have been retained at the site, being too heavy to remove. Other artefacts uncovered during the digs, which are still being examined, will go on display later at the National Museum of Wales in Cardiff.
The castle was occupied by the Mortimer family for about 100 years before falling into ruin and becoming largely buried. Sian Rees, Inspector of Ancient Monuments for Cadw, said: "When Edward 1 decided he had had enough of Llywelyn, there was a long siege and the castle fell to English occupation. "It certainly saw action, really before it was fully completed."
The castle will now become one of four prime examples of "Castles of the Welsh Princes" to be promoted to visitors by Cadw - the others are at Dinas Bran near Llangollen in the north, Dinefwr and Dryslwyn, near Llandeilo in the south west.
Ms Rees said: "The castle is fascinating, since the difference from English castles of the same period, such as nearby Montgomery, is striking and extraordinary. Dolforwyn falls into the native Welsh tradition found, for example, at Dinas Bran. The idea is to identify it as a castle of the Welsh Princes as opposed to Welsh castles people normally think of, those built by the English. This has been an under-featured branch of Welsh architecture until recently and in the last 10 years we have focused our attention quite dramatically on these castles."
Ms Rees paid tribute to Dr Lloyd - the former owner of the site. She said: "He was a remarkable man of Montgomeryshire who was very enthusiastic and passionate about his native county, and a member of the Cambrian Archaeological Society."
Only an antiquarian description and drawing in 1776 and an outline Victorian plan of 1877 provided any record of the ruined castle before the decision to excavate was taken in 1980. The work exposed the 80m by 30m enclosure surrounded by a curtain wall - much of which survives. A Square Keep and Round Tower have been completely excavated. The painstaking conservation the masonry was undertaken by stonemasons from Cadwraeth Cymru, Cadw's works team.
Welsh Environment Minister Sue Essex will formally open the castle at 12 noon on September 12 in a ceremony, which will also commemorate Dr Lloyd's donation. Sue Essex said: "This castle, and its unique location, is breathtaking and it is truly one of the nation's historic treasures. The hard endeavours of archaeologists and craftsmen over the years have borne fruit to delight generation visitors and historians alike."
Castle Built to Keep the Raiders in Check
LLYWELYN ap Gruffydd was the last independent Prince of Wales, controlling large areas of north west and central Wales until his death in 1282. His chief enemy in Mid Wales in the late 13th century was Roger Mortimer of Wigmore in Herefordshire. It was his raids into the disputed Welsh-held territory which forced Llywelyn to build Dolforwyn Castle in Powys.
Construction started in 1272-3, while King Edward 1 was absent on crusade. It is not known how far the work had got before the castle was besieged and captured by the English in 1277. The attacking force was led by Roger Mortimer, who later became the Earl of the March, and Henry de Lacy, Earl of Lincoln. The Mortimer family occupied the castle for around 100 years but by 1398 it was described as "ruinous and worth nothing" and seems to have been left to decay.
Archaeologists say that documents from a survey in 1321 listed a Round Tower, probably an armoury, a Square Tower, a Chapel, a Hall, the Lady's Chamber - with a tub for bathing - a pantry, buttery, cellar, kitchen, brewery and bakehouse, and granary. Outside the castle to the west stood the town founded by Llywelyn in 1273. This was replaced in 1279 by Roger Mortimer's Newtown four miles to the west in the Severn Valley.
Dolforwyn Castle
http://www.castlewales.com/dolforn.html
September 2002
Ruined border castle changes hands again
Carl Yapp, The Western Mail
AN ANCIENT castle once inhabited by powerful English lords intent on keeping the Welsh out of England, and eventually invaded by Owain Glyndwr, has been sold for nearly £400,000.
Only a few of the original walls at Clifford Castle, near Hay-on-Wye, remain after a period in British history when Welsh and English armies were constantly at war.
Sitting on the banks of the River Wye in the Marches, the imposing old fortress is just 200 yards from the Welsh border, in Herefordshire, in the small village of Clifford.
The new owners are believed to have bought the castle because they are fascinated by its historic past.
Estate agents McCartney's said they had been instructed not to reveal who the new occupiers were, but added that they were from the West Midlands.
The 11th Century motte and bailey castle was built shortly after the Norman Conquest of England when William Fitz Osborne, looking to make a chain of defences separating Wales and England, fortified the riverside site. It was owned by the Clifford family who entered Britain with William the Conqueror in 1066. They became one of the most powerful families in the country.
Over the centuries, Clifford Castle became home of Tennyson's Jane Clifford, "the Fair Rosamund" who became Henry II's mistress. It is also mentioned in the Domesday Book.
However, battles and raiding parties are what made the Marches famous, and the area surrounding Clifford Castle saw its fair share of bloodshed, including an invasion by Owain Glyndwr and his army in 1402 which destroyed the castle.
Ryan Williams, who is in charge of the Clifford Castle sale, said, "The new owners bought the property for an amount 10pc outside the asking price of £425,000".
"They were attracted to the home because it has that romantic appeal and a fascinating history. They are keen on history and were attracted to the land and fishing which comes with the property."
Mr Williams added, "I think most people aspire to own a castle and the new owners found it a wonderful place as soon as they saw it. After all an English man's home is his castle."
The new owners of Clifford Castle will have the chance to lord it over the neighbours with stunning views across the River Wye.
McCartney's says it offers enormous charm and atmosphere. They add there is no need to slum it in the windswept ruin, because it comes with a spacious four-bedroom mock-Tudor style home as well.
Former castle owner Betty Parkinson decided to sell the historic site because it was "getting too much for her to manage on her own". It had been her family home for 40 years and she wanted to move to a smaller house.
Mr Williams added, "You've got to be somebody that loves castles and there are a lot of people who do.
"You have this wonderful old monument that's so romantic in its appeal. It's a strong strategic spot and when you overlook the river you are looking back 700 or 800 years. There were many battles between the English and the Welsh in this area."
Article copyright ©2002 ICWales/The Western Mail
http://icwales.icnetwork.co.uk/Clifford Castle
http://www.castlewales.com/clifford.html
August 2002
2003 CSG annual meeting announced
Britain's Castle Studies Group has released details for its upcoming 2003 meeting. If you are not familiar with this organization you should know that the CSG is a group of individuals interested in the history and preservation of Britain's medieval castles. The diverse membership includes recognized professionals, historians, archaeologists, and authors, along with casual historians and enthusiasts. Several contributors to the Castles of Wales web site are CSG members.In addition to other benefits, CSG members receive the group's yearly booklet (newsletter) of castle news from around Britain as well as the organization's valuable bibliographical and reference supplement. The newsletter and bibliography alone are worth the nominal membership fee. If you haven't yet done so, I urge you to check out the CSG web site and consider becoming a member. It's a great way to keep up with all the latest castle news from around Britain!
The CSG 2003 Spring Meeting
Castles of the West MidlandsThe dates for the meeting, to be based at the Harper Adams University College, Newport, Shropshire, are confirmed as Thursday 10 to Sunday 13 April.
The cost, which includes bed, breakfast, packed lunch and evening meal is likely to be approximately £190.00 Accommodation will be in single en-suite rooms.
The provisional itinerary includes: Friday (Shropshire and West Midlands): Stafford, Dudley, Caus, Shrewsbury, Whittington, Moreton Corbet; Saturday (south-east Staffordshire and Warwickshire): Tamworth, Maxstoke, Kenilworth; Sunday (Staffordshire): Chartley, Alton and Tutbury.
All (CSG) members will receive a direct mailing with booking form from the conference organiser, Malcolm Hislop. If you have any questions at this stage, Malcolm's email address if malcolm.hislop@talk21.com.
Britain's Castle Study Group
http://www.castlewales.com/csg.html
July 2002
Old Beaupre Castle for sale
History, fields and river fishing
John Williams, The Western Mail
IT'S surprising how often properties seemingly unconnected turn out to have a common link. A couple of weeks ago, I featured Bonvilston Cottage that once belonged to the Bassett family. This week it's the turn of where the family actually lived - Old Beaupre Castle at St Hilary in the Vale of Glamorgan.
The castle itself is a Grade I-listed building that is no longer habitable, but it shares a wall with Old Beaupre farmhouse which certainly is.
The five-bedroom farmhouse, the castle, a self-contained flat and six acres alongside the River Thaw, are on sale for £499,000.
The farmhouse is in fact the oldest part of the property. It dates from the 1300s and was the Bassett family's original manor house. The name is derived from the Old French beau repaire, which means beautiful retreat.
In 1540, the ever-prospering family built a castellated and fortified mansion alongside and used their old home to house the servants. Part of the castle remains is an outer gatehouse with an ornate inner porch, constructed in 1600, which has Doric, Ionic and Corinthian features.
It is said to be one of the finest in Wales. An inner court now serves as a farmhouse garden.
The Bassetts of Beaupre were prominent royalists in the Civil War and were among the Vale of Glamorgan gentry who raised forces for Charles I when he declared war on Parliament in 1642. The king appointed Sir Richard Bassett as governor of Cardiff Castle in 1645, but he was unpopular. Forced to abandon his post, he was captured by the Parliamentarians, who fined him £753 for being a royalist.
Current owners are Betty Binysh and her husband Martin Coombes, who bought the property eight years ago, when Mr Coombes's accountancy firm moved him from Hampshire to Cardiff. The sale now is linked to his plans to set up on his own.
"Beaupre was just what we were looking for at the time - a beautiful historic house out in the country with lots of space for our three children and a river at the bottom of the fields," said Mrs Binysh.
"I thought someone was joking when I heard it had a castle. We could hardly believe it when we saw all the ceiling beams and the double inglenook fireplaces with bread ovens either side."
Main rooms include a 22ft by 12ft sitting room, which contains a 13th-century Gothic arch, a family room with a central beam supported by a stone pillar, and the Great Hall, where the inglenook fireplaces are found. Chamfered ceiling beams are everywhere.
There is also a study with oak panelling to three walls and fitted oak shelving. The kitchen, which is thought to be a Victorian addition to the house, has exposed rafters and purlins.
One of the bedrooms has a pine staircase to an upper gallery bedroom/study area with a pine balustrade and exposed roof timbers.
There are two bathrooms. The separate flat, which has two double-bedrooms, is reached from the outside by stone steps.
The gardens, which are described by Mrs Binysh as "informal", contain trees, shrubs and an old well. There is an old orchard with apple and plum trees. Outbuildings include a double garage, a stone smithy and an old stone chapel which has planning permission for conversion into two self-contained holiday flats.
The six acres include three fields that run down to the River Thaw, where the property owners have riparian fishing rights. It's a good river for trout, I'm told.
Does owning an historic castle mean big maintenance bills? Not at all, say the owners. The castle is in the care of the historic monuments guardians, Cadw, which is fully responsible for the upkeep.
Old Beaupre Castle and Farmhouse is being marketed by Watts & Morgan, of Cowbridge.
Article copyright ©2001 ICWales
http://icwales.icnetwork.co.uk/
June 2002
Assembly call for more control over Cadw
CADW, the Welsh Historic Monuments agency should be reorganised so that there is much greater political control of its activities, a new draft report recommends.
The report says Cadw should remain as an executive agency of the National Assembly Government, but it should have a new strategic direction, and a ministerial policy board to oversee its activities.
Last year's gross expenditure from Cadw was just under £15m, with £3m funded from income and £12m direct from the Assembly Government.
The report, for the Environment, Planning and Transport committee says new performance targets must be set for the organisation, but rules out radical reorganisation, including mergers with the National Museum and the Countryside Council for Wales.
The report says, "The targets set for Cadw relate solely to outputs and processes, with none relating to outcomes for the historic environment. "This hinders clear and strong connections being made to the main themes and policies of the Assembly.
"It is difficult to see that much progress can be made in achieving greater outcome orientation in devising Cadw's high-level targets without a greater degree of political direction being assumed for its activities."
However, the reports notes that the the increased closeness of Cadw to its Minister might call into question the point of it being an agency at all, as opposed to a "conventional" line division of the Assembly.
The report recommends that the proposal for Cadw to be turned into an arm's-length Assembly-sponsored public body should be ruled out, at least for the short and medium term.
However, the report does not rule out the break-up of Cadw once Ministers have put a new mission statement in place.
It says, "There may still be types of option for earlier changes - perhaps some interim or staged changes involving combinations of different organisational models."
These include placing parts of Cadw which relate to overall policy and other functions in a line division (an historic environment policy division) while locating other parts - for example conservation, management and presentation of properties in care in a related executive agency - which could perhaps retain the well recognised and valuable brand name of Cadw.
Article copyright ©2001 ICWales
http://icwales.icnetwork.co.uk/
May 2002
New tourism website puts Wales ahead of other countries in UK
Carl Yapp, The Western Mail
BEAUTIFUL coastline, historic castles, glorious mountains and a legendary warm welcome. Click and it's all yours.
The Wales Tourist Board is launching a website that allows visitors to book a holiday in Wales over the internet.
Although the new hi-tech revolution risks stripping Wales of its romantic element, the internet has proved a vital tool for attracting visitors from home and overseas.
While it is always better to explore the natural beauty of Wales for yourself and not rely on tourist guides or internet advice sites - picturesque valleys outweigh pictures of valleys - the ever increasing competition has brought a need for Wales to be one step ahead.
It is the first country in the British Isles to have a dedicated online booking site.
Tourism is vital to Wales's economy. It is worth 7pc of the country's GDP, the industry employs 100,000 people and Wales plays host to 10,000 tourist-based businesses - the majority of these being small, family-run enterprises.
Also the attraction of the internet brings its own financial rewards. In the UK alone, online travel bookings are likely to increase by 625pc by 2005, from £592m to £3.7bn.
The website, at http://www.visitwales.com goes online in May and replaces the previous tourist board site. Visitors will also be able to book holidays over the telephone through a call centre in Bangor.
The new site was designed by World Net, from Sydney, Australia, the company behind the country's Olympic website where visitors could order tickets for the games online.
The new way of booking, and all the information about Wales at your fingertips, could also be seen as a change in strategy by the tourist board. After all, barely two years ago Wales was being portrayed as an exclusive club for the champagne brigade during the Two hours - a million miles away campaign.
And although the board's chief executive Jonathan Jones denied a change in strategy, he told The Western Mail that Wales should be "all things to all men".
Which means it now appears that there is room for both the champagne set and the bucket-and-spade brigade.
However a new tactic to attract new tourists to Wales is much needed after foot-and-mouth brought tourism to its knees last year.
After the launch to the trade and media in Porthmadog, Mr Jones said, "We believe we are stealing a march on England, Scotland and Ireland with this new website. The other tourist boards in the UK don't have a dedicated service like ours.
"We have to provide information for every possible market, which means looking after the needs of the champagne brigade who spend a lot
of money, but also families who are looking for value for money accommodation."
"We must be all things to all men and there will be specific niche campaigns which will appeal to everybody and cover every area of Wales.
"The call centre is also important. We thought it significant that people could still use the phone and speak to a friendly Welsh voice," added Mr Jones." The website will be a huge database of information about transport links, accommodation, places to eat, activities and much more.
"Businesses that register with us will be able to update their information on the website. If they want to put up the prices or change the amount of rooms they have available they can. It will be their responsibility and for that we are offering a free training course," Mr Jones added.
"To survive and thrive in a fiercely competitive global market, Wales's holidays need to be easy to access, easy to understand and easy to book.
"VisitWales, the websites and the business support system, will connect Wales to the world."
© owned by or licensed to Trinity Mirror Plc 2002
April 2002
CHEPSTOW CASTLE
THE SECOND ONE DAY SCHOOLNew Insights
The Results of More Recent Research Revealed
Saturday 20 April 2002 at The Drill Hall, ChepstowAs with the First Day School in 1999, the day brings together speakers who have been engaged in various research projects on Chepstow Castle, and is the first occasion that the results of their work will be made known to the public. The proceedings will be chaired by Jeremy Knight, formerly Inspector of Ancient Monuments for Cadw with responsibility for Chepstow Castle. The programme for the day includes the following presentations:
The Norman Great Tower, Rick Turner, Inspector of Ancient Monuments, Cadw.
In this, the first of his presentations today charting the development of the Great Tower, Rick will piece together the structural evidence for and then reconstruct the first phase of this great building. He will attempt answers to the intriguing questions of 'Who built it? When? and What for?'
William Marshal's Castle, Richard Avent, Chief Inspector of Ancient Monuments and Historic Buildings, Cadw.
Expanding on his discussion of the main gatehouse presented at the First Day School, Richard will chart the development of William Marshal's new castle, and show how it was at the forefront of European castle design.
The Marshal's Great Tower, Rich Turner, Cadw.
In its second phase, two of William Marshal's sons transformed the Norman Great Tower into a fine great hall and chamber with exquisite architectural detail.
Roger Bigod, fifth earl of Norfolk.
Marc Morris, University of Oxford, will describe his research into the eventful life and political career of one of the greatest magnates of Edward I's reign and try to show how Roger Bigod's ambitions and aspirations are reflected in his great building campaigns at Chepstow and elsewhere.
Roger Bigod's Great Tower, Rick Turner, Cadw.
The last phase of the great tower saw it at its most imposing and overtly military. What was Roger Bigod using the tower for and what had it come to symbolise?
Chepstow Castle in the reign of Edward II, Stephen Priestley, freelance historian.
In his comprehensive documentary research into the castle, Stephen has found evidence of building works, theft, intrigue, garrisoning, victualling, and Edward II and Hugh Despenser's final flight before their capture.
Castles or Pleasure Palaces? Jeremy Ashbee, Historic Palaces Agency.
Are the great castles of the Middle Ages simply fortresses? What were the 'Gloirettes' recorded at Corfe, Leeds and Chepstow castles? Jeremy will explore the tradition of building medieval palaces in the form of castles, across Europe to its origins in Morris Spain, and show what royalty and the great magnates of the period were trying to achieve with these great buildings.These short presentations will occupy the morning and first part of the afternoon and will be followed by a tour of the relevant parts of the castle led by, and as discussed by two Cadw speakers, which will end the day's programme at approximately 5.30pm.
Afterwards, back at the Drill Hall, there will be a special showing of the 1913 silent film of Ivanhoe which was made mostly on location at Chepstow Castle. This is a chance to see various parts of the castle as it was then. The film lasts for about an hour.
The day starts with Registration at 9.30 am. The first talk will begin at 10 am. Coffee and tea will be provided but the day's fee does not include lunch which can be taken at one of the several local hostelries, hotels and restaurants all in easy walking distance.
FEE FOR THE DAY IS £8.50 per person payable to 'The Chepstow Society'. To book a place please send your remittance to:
Chepstow Museum
Gwy House, Bridge Street
Chepstow, Monmouthshire
NP16 5 EZChepstow Castle
http://www.castlewales.com/chepstow.htmlBritain's Castle Studies Group:
http://www.castlewales.com/csg.htmlCadw: Welsh Historic Monuments:
http://www.cadw.wales.gov.uk/
March 2002
Castles of Glamorgan
'Later Castles of Glamorgan: Volume III - Part 1b - From 1217 to the Present': CSG members were advised last summer that the above title was now available from RCAHMW - The Royal Commission for the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Wales. Herewith are a few comments garnered from a brief overview. The inventory section is divided into five chapters. The chapter 'Later Masonry' castles of which there are twenty listed, include the following: Barry, Bishop's Castle, Caerphilly, Castell Coch, Ewenny, Fonmon, Llanblethian, Llantrisant, Morgraig, Morlais, Neath, Oystermouth, Pen, Penmark, Penrice, St. Donats, St. Fagans, Swansea, Talyfan, Weobly.
LLANBLETHIAN. Comparison made with Llangibby in Monmouthshire (both started by Earl Filbert de Clare), the closest parallel being the strong keep-gatehouse linked to a large keep like tower by a section of especially elevated and defended curtain wall on the weakest front. There is an indication that at both these sites the wall was probably crenellated on both faces, providing a protective way between both gatehouses and the Lord's tower.
MORGRAIG. Includes two useful reconstruction drawings by Alan T. Gill. They clearly show the unusual pentagonal plan, though excavations have yielded no indications of permanent occupation. It is dated circa 1245 and presumably rendered obsolete by 1267 when Gilbert de Clare annexed the Senghennyd uplands and begun building Caerphilly. The question of whether the castle was built by a Welsh lord is raised, but no firm conclusions offered, although the English architecture of the castle is a mix of incongruous elements. The geometric layout and bold salient towers would suggest English work. The dressings are almost all of Sutton stone, derived from the coast near Ogmore and most unlikely to have been available to a Welsh lord.
ST. DONATS. The castle has been in continuous occupation since the twelfth century. The inner ring of its concentric masonry incorporates substantial sections of a faceted Norman enceinte, with a Norman rectangular keep flanking a simple entrance. The Norman fabric, unsuspected before the present survey, replaced the palisade or primary castle-ringwork in the late twelfth century. Extensive restoration work was carried out by Morgan Stuart Williams (1901-09) and the American press magnate William Randolph Hearst (1925-37). The castle was purchased in 1960 and adapted to serve as 'Atlantic College', an international sixth form college which opened in 1962.
The Royal Commission for the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Wales
http://www.rcahmw.org.uk/Llanblethian Castle:
http://www.castlewales.com/quintin.htmlCastell Morgraig:
http://www.castlewales.com/morgraig.htmlSt Donats Castle:
http://www.castlewales.com/donats.html
February 2002
Historic castle to be offered for sale
THE mediaeval castle home of the first National Eisteddfod is up for sale.
The owner of Cardigan Castle confirmed yesterday that the 12th Century castle set in the heart of the West Wales town is to go on the market.
Brian Rees, who has power of attorney for its 85-year-old private owner, Barbara Wood, said he would give Ceredigion County Council first refusal.
The sale is the first time that the castle, which is a scheduled ancient monument, has come on the market for more than 60 years and follows controversy over its future.
Fears about the condition of the stone building, which was built by Welsh prince Rhys ap Gruffyd in 1171, have led to calls for the local authority to take compulsory purchase action.
About 3,000 local people recently signed a Save Our Castle petition.
The news that the castle would be sold prompted campaigner Glen Johnson to say, "There's an opportunity now for it to be brought into public hands.
"There's enormous potential for it to become an asset not just for Cardigan but for the whole of Wales."
Father James Cunnane said the sale was an opportunity to save what was left of the building.
"People don't appreciate how important historically this castle is.
"I appreciate that the physical remains do not qualify for it to be taken over by Cadw, but what does remain is extremely interesting indeed."
There has been a castle on the site overlooking the banks of the Teifi for more than 1,000 years.
Rhys ap Gruffyd built the first stone castle in 1171 and when it was completed in 1176 held a house-warming to which he invited guests to take part in poetry and music competitions, a gathering which became known as the first National Eisteddfod.
Over the years its ownership passed through many hands as a result of warring between the Welsh and the Normans.
After it was attacked by Cromwell in the 17th Century, it was no longer used as a fortification and passed into private hands.
A Georgian house, Castle Green, was built inside its walls in the early 19th Century.
Miss Wood bought the castle in 1940 and lived there until she moved into a local residential home in recent years.
Today, the two-acre castle site is in poor repair.
Mr Rees said Miss Wood was still very attached to the castle and would be sad to see it sold.
"It's going to cost a lot of money to do up, which we don't have," he added.
"We have to have it valued before we think of attracting potential purchasers. It's a very unusual place. It's not run-of-the-mill.
"I will be giving Ceredigion County Council first refusal."
Dai Lloyd Evans, leader of Ceredigion County Council, said he felt confident that the council would consider any offer to purchase the castle.
Article copyright ©2001 ICWales
http://icwales.icnetwork.co.uk/
January 2002
New visitor centre to blend with castle
ENVIRONMENTALLY friendly building materials and techniques are to be used to construct a new visitor centre at Wales's largest castle.
Cadw, Wales's historic monuments organisation, is investing in the site at Caerphilly Castle to create a new centre which is in tune with the environment and which also lends itself well to its historic surroundings.
Covering 30 acres, Caerphilly Castle is one of the largest castles in Britain. Built in the 13th Century by Gilbert de Clare, it is a high point in military architecture and is a supreme example of the concentric "walls within walls" system of defence.
Water also played a crucial role with lakes created together with three artificial islands to make the castle almost impregnable to siege warfare. Although often threatened, Caerphilly Castle was never taken.
Pontyclun-based Davies Sutton Architecture, which specialises in the care and conservation of historic buildings and in designing new buildings which are appropriate to their environment, has been awarded the design contract. Work on the new centre is due to begin next month and is expected to last between 20 and 26 weeks. Among the firm's previous work was the restoration work on the Grade I Listed Sker House in Porthcawl, and are also the designs for the new Golf Clubhouse at the Celtic Manor for the 2010 Ryder Cup.
The design philosophy behind the new centre is a building which is "of its time" but also sits comfortably in its historical environment. The modern design comprises an oak timber frame which is being temporarily constructed and erected in a factory unit in Hereford. The use of locally grown timber is not only environmentally friendly but also reflects aspects of the great fortress at Caerphilly, such as the timber-framed siege engines at the castle and the hourd, a fighting platform straddling the battlements, which has been reconstructed by Cadw.
Other environmental design considerations include large areas of glass to generate solar energy. The project architect, Michael Davies, who has lived in Caerphilly for over 20 years, said the project was very close to his heart as a regular visitor to the castle. "Our aim in designing this new visitor centre is to create a building which relates to the past but is not of the past. "We've included a point on the roof, similar to an arrow in shape, which reaches up to the castle from the inner gatehouse to reflect the idea of a castle under attack. "A new toilet block is also being built separately as we didn't want the new building to be too large so as to impose on an historically sensitive site. All in all the whole design is sustainable and recyclable."
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