August 2005: Chance to see restored Well House

THE recently restored Grade Two listed Well House at New Inn, Cross Ash will be open to visitors this weekend as part of the Open Doors European Heritage Days scheme organised by the Civic Trust on behalf of Cadw and the Welsh Assembly Government.

The Well House will open from 2 – 5pm on Saturday and Sunday, with teas available. The Royal Commission for Ancient and Historical Monuments Wales has declared the Gothic arched Well House to be ‘an unusually large example of a distinctive and unusual building type’.

The Village Alive Trust has restored the building with 80 per cent EU funding from Article 33 money aimed at helping regenerate areas affected by Foot and Mouth disease. The Trust believes it is one of the few local Article 33 bids to make headway within the 18 months set out for completion of grant-aided projects.

Trust chairman, Pat Griffiths, said: “As well as undertaking two restoration projects on local farms, securing public access to these buildings on specified days and creating information leaflets about the buildings, the Trust is involved in other community activities. These include compiling a recorded archive of local people’s memories of a fast disappearing way of life and helping to promote the area to tourists through a colourful website www.villagealivetrust.org.uk.

“The Village Alive Project which bid for nearly £50,000 of EU cash has been supported by charitable groups and local people, through both financial help and donations of professional expertise. The aim is to use the grant-aid to benefit local people whether it be by supporting businesses or promoting chances for the community to get-together through events such as the recent Lammas Fair”.

The Trust is also aiming to open the Cider House at Cwm Farm, Llangattock Lingoed to the public as part of Open Doors on September 24 and 25 from 2-5pm. The opening will be combined with open days at the recently restored St Cadoc’s Church, Llangattock Lingoed where teas will be served.