Work is beginning on exciting new improvements to the visitor experience of life in the 17th century at Llancaiach Fawr Manor. The scaffolding is going up and over the top of the much loved valleys landmark to completely encase it temporarily to enable the roof to be removed and the new one to be laid.
Llancaiach Fawr Manor is being funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund (£943,200) and Cadw ( £30,000) to create the servants quarters in the attic spaces under a new roof. The existing roof covering is beginning to fail and the HLF and Cadw are supporting Caerphilly County Borough Council to replace the roof with a slate covering which will last for the next hundred years and more. Floors are being laid in the attics and vertical oak partitions installed to allow the wild residents- the Brown Long Eared bats- to live side by side with the staff who portray the servants in 1645 and the visitors they introduce into their world.
Period style lighting in horn lanterns is being installed and specially commissioned pieces of oak furniture are being made to encase the background heating that protects the furniture and furnishings which show life as it was during the civil wars of the mid 17th century. Fireplaces are being opened up and the chimney stack for the Great Hall is being re-instated so that a roaring fire can once more warm guests in the Great Hall as it did since the Manor was originally built around 1550.
An important aspect of the project is that the manor will stay open to the public during the work so that visitors can find out more about the building itself and how specialist building conservation is carried out. Practical activities relating to the different stages of the work will be available for visitors to have a go at traditional skills. A group of enthusiastic volunteers have been formed to facilitate these activities and take short talks looking at the wider history of the house and the site.
Diane Walker, General Manager at Llancaiach Fawr and the project leader said:
‘I’m really pleased that at last we are getting started on the building works. It has been a long time in the planning to make sure that all the details have been carefully worked out to achieve a sympathetic solution to the problems of how to have heat and light fit for 21st century visitors in a recreated 17th century interior. I am especially delighted that at long last we will be able to make more of the manor accessible to people with mobility difficulties and that more rooms will be open to our visitors. This is a once in a generation opportunity to create the improvements to the manor that means that it will carry on enthralling visitors of all ages for years to come. I am looking forward to sharing this project with all our local supporters and those visiting the area who want a unique experience of life in 1645’.
Cllr Harry Andrews, Leader of Caerphilly County Borough Council, said:
“I’m overjoyed that these works are taking place to further enhance the experiences of the thousands of visitors who visit Llancaiach Fawr Manor every year. On behalf of the Council, I’d like to thank the Heritage Lottery Fund and Cadw for their support with this project.”
