Foot and Mouth outbreak severely impacts Monmouthshire; EU funding available.
In 2001 Monmouthshire was one of the worst affected areas in the United Kingdom to suffer from the foot and mouth outbreak that year, creating devastating loss to the county's farming communities and farm tourism through the closure of the countryside. In consequence, European Union regional funding was made available to support recovery and mitigate the impact of the disease.
Restoration of St. Cadoc's Church led by Rev. Dr. Jean Prosser.
2002 saw the Nave roof of St. Cadoc's Church (Grade I listed) in Llangattock Lingoed, Monmouthshire, almost at the point of collapse. Closure was threatened. The then incumbent, the Rev. Dr. Jean Prosser, achieved the impossible by securing funding for the conservation of the church. The church was temporarily closed, but fully restored and re- opened in 2004. With that experience Jean had the vision and drive to see how this Rural Regeneration fund could create new opportunities for recovery through the reuse of redundant, or at risk, rural buildings and, with the support of local volunteers, proposed the idea of a building preservation group.
Formation of The Village Alive Trust
The Trust formed in 2004 as the Village Alive Trust, in response to those difficulties experienced in rural Monmouthshire during the Foot and Mouth Disease.
Trustees and members work voluntarily, some have 'day jobs' - some are retirees, and manage conservation projects, hold events to showcase heritage sites, produce publications, trail leaflets and guides, educate and inform through conferences and awards, and maintain links within communities.
Over twenty years, and still going, the Trust has helped private owners of several important vernacular buildings (all on the Register of Buildings at Risk) obtain grants and access best practice to conserve the fabric and retain each building for its original purpose as far as possible. A number of smaller sites have also been protected. For this work the Trust received the Campaign for the Protection of Rural Wales (CPRW) Award in 2005 and 2013.
Our current project aims to conserve the Grade II* listed St'.Teilo's Church at Llanarth.
Oral history recordings began.
The Trust began audio recordings of memories and recollections from local farmers and their families. This continued through 2006 and up until 2010.
Restoration event at St. Cadoc’s Church.
The Trust, in collaboration with Llangattock Lingoed Parochial Church Council celebrated the restoration of the Grade I listed St. Cadoc's Church over the bank holiday with a medieval Lammas Fair. This featured Samhain, a medieval re-enactment group, several heritage crafts, talks, children's games, a beer festival and hog roast.
Official opening of New Inn Well-House and Cwm Farm Cider House
The official opening of two completed projects, the restored New Inn Well-House (Grade II listed) at Cross Ash, and the conservation of Cwm Farm Cider House (Grade II* listed) at Llangattock Lingoed.
The Trust received an award from Campaign for the Protection of Rural Wales.
Monmouthshire Country Council asked the Trust to help resolve many issues with a semi-derelict Listed residential building on the Council's 'at risk' register. However, the situation was finally resolved amicably between the property's owner and the Council.
Community events and restoration at historic sites like Great Tre-Rhew Corn Barn and Llanfair Cilgoed.
Jan. - The Trust held a community event on parish records at Cross Ash Hall.
May – Official unveiling by the Mayor of Monmouth of the St Christopher statuette at the -New Inn Well-House, commissioned by the Bayliss family and sculpted by Philip Chatfield. On the same day the Mayor of Monmouth, Sue Chivers, unveiled the Cross Ash pyramidal well house.
Sept. - Open Doors event at the Cwm Farm Cider House and the Well-House, and the unveiling of the Travellers Seat Milestone (Grade II listed) near Letravane.
Throughout 2006 the Trust engaged in meetings concerning the Corn Barn (Grade II* listed) at Great Tre-Rhew, Llanvetherine. A feasibility study and a structural engineer's report were commissioned. To assist fund-raising, an Open-day event at the farm and barn with an evening Ceilidh and Hog-roast, was organised before aiming for grants.
Launch of trail leaflets and signage.
The Trust helped with the setting up of mill stones to mark the remains of at Little Cwm Cider Mill, further along the valley housing Cwm Farm.
Trail Leaflets and Signage for the “Llangattock Lingoed Trail” and “Travellers' Seat and Well House Trail” were launched.
To prevent damage from grazing livestock, the Trust fenced off the site and remains of the 12th century Cistercian grange and chapel at Llanfair Cilgoed.
Archaeological research at Great Tre-Rhew. Petertide Fair and further promotion of historic trails.
June – the Trust organised archaeological research, assisted by the Welsh Mills Society, to uncover workings of an early Mill Site at Great Tre-Rhew, with probable strong connections to White Castle.
30 June - Medieval Petertide Fair at Great Trerhew, and the launch of the Land and Legends leaflet with two circular walks to the Corn Barn, Mill and Castle, assisted by Monmouthshire County Council.
September. - Two members of the Trust attended a meeting of the Association of Preservation Trusts in Cardigan and gave presentations on the Trust's projects to date, the progress of the current Corn Barn project and the historic links between Great Tre-Rhew and the White Castle.
Mid-Summer Fayre and open days at conserved sites. Public talks promoting local heritage.
June - Mid-Summer Fayre at Great Tre-Rhew.
The Trust held community open-days featuring the Cwm Farm Cider House, the Well-houses at New Inn, and the Corn Barn and Cider House at Great Tre-Rhew.
Nov. - Talk by Frank Olding, local author and historian, at the Village Hall, Llanddewi Skirrid - “Introduction to the Archaeology of the Black Mountains”.
Major conference on sustainable future of historic buildings. Re-opening celebrations at Great Tre-Rhew Corn Barn. Awards given for building conservation.
June - Conference organised and hosted by the Trust - “Historic Buildings: A Sustainable Future”, with specialist guest speakers at St. Mary's Priory Church, Abergavenny.
September - The conserved Corn Barn and cider house at Great Tre-Rhew were 're-opened' with events featuring maypole dancing by local children (part of a three-year programme by the Trust to re-introduce maypole dancing into the primary school) and a Harvest Home, featured in the Abergavenny Food Festival Fringe programme, to showcase local food and Perry. The Trust commissioned a DVD about the conservation project and this was shown in the barn, with interpretation, as part of an educational programme for visiting groups.
October - The Trust made five special awards for building conservation in Monmouthshire, culminating in a major conference in Abergavenny attended by owners of Listed buildings, heritage professionals and architects. This year the Trust also helped conserve the Grade II listed Pigscotts at Upper White Castle Farm
Great Tre-Rhew Farm hosts BBC's 'Lambing Live.' Co-hosting the Monmouthshire Pear and Perry Festival.
May - Summer Fayre at Great Tre-Rhew Farm which, also this year, became the venue for BBC's first television series of 'Lambing Live'.
June – The Trust co-hosted the Monmouthshire Pear and Perry Festival at Great Tre-Rhew Farm, sponsored by the Welsh Assembly Government, in partnership with the Welsh Perry and Cider Society and Adventa Monmouthshire's Leader Plus programme.
Second Pear and Perry Festival. Early involvement with Croft Barn and managing grant schemes.
June - The Trust co-hosted a second Monmouthshire Pear and Perry Festival at Great Tre-Rhew Farm. This year the Trust was approached by White Castle Vineyard for help at Croft Barn, their Grade II* listed cruck-framed building. Monmouthshire County Council also contracted the Trust to act as delivery agent for two grant schemes, “Bringing Your Village Alive” and “Sense of Roots”. Open-days showcasing the buildings conserved by the Trust continued to attract members of the community.
Formative site meetings for Croft Barn conservation.
June - The Trust co-hosted a second Monmouthshire Pear and Perry Festival at Great Tre-Rhew Farm. This year the Trust was approached by White Castle Vineyard for help at Croft Barn, their Grade II* listed cruck-framed building. Monmouthshire County Council also contracted the Trust to act as delivery agent for two grant schemes, “Bringing Your Village Alive” and “Sense of Roots”. Open-days showcasing the buildings conserved by the Trust continued to attract members of the community.
2nd CPRW Award. Archaeological excavation at The Stocks, Llangattock Lingoed. Further development of the Croft Barn project.
The Trust received a 2nd award from Campaign for the Protection of Rural Wales.
September - Archaeological excavation, commissioned by the Trust and overseen by Stephen Clarke of Monmouthshire Archaeological Society took place at The Stocks, Llangattock Lingoed, with subsequent interpretation panels provided by the Trust. Constructive meetings continued with the Croft Barn project, implementing an education programme on viticulture, interpretation panels and leaflet, and a fundraising event.
Rural heritage conference held. Restoration work on Croft Barn commenced.
March – A conference organised and hosted by the Trust - “Community Engagement in Rural Heritage” at St. Mary's Priory Centre, appraised the achievements of the 17 heritage projects in rural Monmouthshire, for which the Trust acted as delivery agent for the “Bringing your Village Alive” and “Sense of Roots” schemes. Restoration on the Croft Barn commenced following a bat ecologist's survey.
Launch of WHAM! (Wine and Heritage Alive in Monmouthshire!) Project. Open Doors event and presentation on WHAM! progress.
Works to the Croft Barn completed. A special open day was held with talk and presentations.
The Trust submitted grant applications to conserve a Grade II listed mid-Victorian Stable Block at Cross Ash (which had already been the subject of a full conservation management plan). Planning and listed building consents were granted in 2015.
"Stop the Rot" Conference for owners of Listed Buildings. Guided historical tours.
The Trust secured a grant to complete an Options Appraisal for St. Teilo’s Church Llanarth. The Grade II* listed church had been closed since 2013 and was placed on the Buildings at Risk register.
The Trust held the “Grave Tales” event at Llanarth with re-enactors and expert speakers to commemorate local WWI heroes and explore churchyard histories.
A new plaque was commissioned for the Travellers’ Seat.
A major fundraising concert took place at Llanarth Court Chapel with the cast of “Phantom of the Opera”.
Conservation project: Talycoed Horse Drinking Water Trough. Continued open-days.
Feasibility studies for St. Teilo’s Church progressed.
The Trust held a fundraising evening with Sir Roy Strong.
The Trust published “Churches of the Marches” by Jean Prosser, with contributions from several members.
A fundraising concert with the Festival Choir of Usk was held in Llanarth.
Conservation of Talycoed Water Trough completed. Launch of plans to save St. Teilo’s Church at Llanarth.
Trust continued fundraising and architectural planning for St. Teilo’s Church conservation.
Further community engagement and school links were developed.
Planning consents renewed and supporting documentation updated.
Covid-19 pandemic shifts activities online. Trust secures a 99-year lease for St. Teilo's Church. Rebranding of the Llanarth project as "Calon Llanarth."
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, community activities and fundraising were restricted.
The Trust continued behind-the-scenes work, securing permissions, maintaining contact with community and statutory bodies, and preparing for conservation work at St. Teilo’s.
A new website and digital archive were created.
Workshops, stakeholder engagement, and grant funding for project development. Final public viewing of Cwm Farm before sale.
Planning, listed building consent and permissions were finalised for works at St. Teilo’s.
Fundraising efforts increased.
The Trust held its “Come and See” open day at Llanarth, with talks and guided tours.
Joint community surveys launched. Celebrations for 20 years of the Village Alive Trust. Further grants received for environmental and heritage projects.
Conservation work commenced on St. Teilo’s Church, Llanarth.
The Trust launched an appeal for interpretation and education resources.
Volunteers documented progress through photography, blogs and events.
A new education and access plan was developed.
Constitutional changes to expand the number of Trustees. Continued collaboration with Llanarth Village Hall and the wider community.
Ongoing works at St. Teilo’s Church continue, with phased conservation of roof and interior.
Community engagement activities expand, including a planned heritage trail and schools programme.
The Trust continues to seek new opportunities to preserve and celebrate Monmouthshire’s rural heritage.
