Robert Lloyd - a Sir Gar Blog of random news . . . and some Clecs!

Carmarthenshire Heritage Regeneration Trust has received funding to undertake a feasibility study for options on the sustainable use of the Penlan Workhouse Gatehouse in Carmarthen. The Gatehouse has architectural significance as a grade II* listed building and the oldest surviving building on the site. It also has considerable historic association with the Rebecca rioters who stormed the workhouse in 1843. The rioters were cut down by dragoons – reportedly the last cavalry charge on British soil. The Carmarthenshire Heritage Regeneration Trust, a registered charity and a company limited by guarantee, has as one of its key objectives the purchasing, restoration and finding of new uses for redundant historic buildings. The organisation recently successfully restored and opened to the public Llanelly House a grade I listed building in the heart of Llanelli. This application is seen as the first step in the process for the CHRT to purchase and regenerate the property for a wider...

Llanelly House is due to open this Autumn after undergoing a £6.5 million restoration of the early 18th century Georgian house. It will feature Welsh national treasures such as the Stepney Armorial Dinner Service, a painting of Sir John Stepney by Sir Joshua Reynolds and rare grisaille artwork interior. There will be a projection of the time lapse footage of the restoration and refurbished historic interiors, and guided tours to the upper floors will enable the visitor to step back in time and come face-to-face with past residents -maybe even experience Mira Turner's ghostly presence. Llanelly House Cafe will offer visitors a taste of the past with a modern twist. The driving force behind the project is Carmarthenshire Heritage Regeneration Trust. The Trust has worked closely with Carmarthenshire County Council and with their support has achieved great success in the renovation of Llanelly House. The Grade One listed Georgian town house is the last of the Big 5 pro...

Carmarthenshire Heritage Regeneration Trust has received a grant of £81,000 from the Heritage Lottery Fund  HLF to acquire a portrait of Sir John Stepney 8th Baronet (1741-1811) by Sir Joshua Reynolds. Thought to have been painted by the renowned portrait artist, Sir Joshua Reynolds around 1760, the painting is to be hung in the Great Hall ready for the opening of Llanelly House , next year. The piece is recorded in the portrait inventory of Lady Margaret Cowell-Stepney, at the Dell in Llanelli around 1900. The portrait was originally housed at Badminton, home of Sir John’s close friend and early patron the Duke of Beaufort. It is thought that the Cowell-Stepney’s acquired the portrait sometime later. The portrait was sold by Mark Murray Threipland in 1992 – and was then catalogued as ‘circle of Reynolds’ - from its then home at Fingask Castle and has since remained in private hands. The portrait has since been attributed to Reynolds and considered to be an important additio...

If only walls could talk? Well, they can! Join the Llanelly House Team for a 'Walk and Talk' around the centre of Llanelli to discover what tales the walls have to tell about our past. Why not meet the Community Team of Llanelly House for a walk and a talk around Llanelli Town Centre on Wednesday 30th May at 11am? Did you realise that the street layout of the town was literally developed within and around the grounds of Llanelly House? To listen to more fascinating stories and have a gentle walk around the town centre please reserve your space by contacting the team*. *Cost is Free but spaces are limited, please contact Estelle Evans on 01554 772857 or email estelle.evans@chrt.org.uk Lisa Bancroft : lisa.bancroft@chrt.org.uk Llanelly House · Llanelly House is a Grade1 listed Georgian building in the process of being developed as a sustainable community heritage centre offering an exciting interpretation of the restored House and its history as wel...

My interview with Estelle Evans, community engagement officer for the Carmarthenshire Heritage Regeneration Trust, for the Llanelli Talking Newspaper for the Blind.