Llanelly House 'Blog

What's On Our Own Doorstep!

Frondeg Terrace, Llanelli - Medieval Chapel and Cemetery - A Medieval chapel and cemetery discovered at Llanelli

An interesting report in regard to the dig that was done in the Llanelli area during 2007 by Dyfed Archaeology.  The purpose of the dig was due to the planning and evaluation on behalf of Chelmor Properties Ltd who wished to develop the site.  However, this location was considered to the be where the medieval chapel dedicate to St Gunlet.

The site provided a few surprises in that the burials were only a few centimeters below the ground surface with the bone preservation was very good – rather unusually for West Wales.  No artefacts were found along with the bodies, however excitedly after 4 radiocarbon dates indicated the cemetery was used between 12th & 15th centuries AD.  It was decided that the cemetery and chapel will be preserved as an open space within the new development.

If you would like to read the full report please click http://www.dyfedarchaeology.org.uk/

Community Partnership & Social Inclusion Group Meeting

On behalf of CHRT, I would like to invite you to a joint Community Partnership and Social Inclusion Group meeting at 2pm, Monday 14th June at the Conference Room, Foothold Centre, Llanelli.

The Llanelly House team will be able to provide a brief of what has been happening since the last joint meeting a few months ago.  Together with the Llanelly House team providing a progress report there will be guest lecture.

Mr Tom Lloyd, will deliver a talk on 'Historic Carmarthenshire Houses' at 3pm.  Tom Lloyd is a member of the Georgian Group, which is a conservation organisation which was created to campaign for the preservation of historic buildings and planned landscapes of the 18th and 19th centuries.  The Georgian group was founded in 1937 and was originally part of the Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings.  If you would like to source further information about the Georgian Group please visit www.georgiangroup.org.uk.

Please could you confirm your attendance and any special dietary requirements please contact Estelle Evans by Friday 11th June.

Volunteers Week

Yes, it really has been a year since Volunteers Week was last celebrated!

On behalf of CAVS, we would like to invite all of you who have kindly donated your invaluable time and effort to the Llanelly House project.

CAVS have organised a week of activities to celebrate Volunteers Week between 1st-7th June.  This celebration will culminate for a ‘Thank You’ Day on Monday 7th June at the National Botanic Garden, Llanarthne.

Admission will be free of charge from 1pm and official opening at 1.30pm at the Marquee, along with a Barbeque and entertainment later on in the afternoon at about 4pm. There will be a programme of activities available during the afternoon, further details will be provided nearer the date.

If you would like to attend, could you please contact Estelle Evans by Thursday 20th May 2010.

Look forward to seeing you there!

Lisa and Estelle

Reusing Historic Churches and Chapels

If you prefer to go a little further afield on Friday 11th June 2010 the Building of Bath Collection are hosting a seminar on ‘Reusing Historic Churches and Chapels.  The event will between 10am - 4pm and the event is aimed at the following audiences:

Community groups, building preservation trusts, faith groups, conservation officers/architects, planners.

The Learning Outcomes of the event will be as follows:

• Delegates will be presented with a range of case studies providing a valuable insight into the conservation, creative reuse and reinvention of churches and chapels.
• Speakers will contribute different perspectives and participants should leave with new ideas for how to take their projects forward.
• This conference will examine architectural and conservation issues relating to the reuse of churches and chapels. The day will featuring a range of case studies from Bath and beyond, and highlight creative approaches to the challenges of working in unique and important spaces.
• It will also feature practical solutions for organisations that have churches and chapels in their care who are seeking to redevelop their buildings.

Cost (including ‘Best of British’ Organic Lunch)

£50 per delegate
£30 concessions (representatives of community groups including preservation trusts and church groups)
£20 students (limited places available)

If booking more than one place, additional places are charged at £20 per delegate.

To book please contact
Jill Hunter, Events Co-ordinator
Building of Bath Collection
The Vineyards, Paragon
Bath BA1 5NA
t:01225 333895 e:jhunter@bptrust.org.uk
www.bptlearning.org.uk

Project Manager for Llanelly House appointed

CHRT are pleased to announce the appointment of Craig Hatto who will act as the new Project Manager for the Llanelly House project.

Craig has experience on both national and international projects – here are just some projects Craig has been involved in:

• Science Museum, London
• At-Bristol, Bristol
• Uniplan International, Cologne, Germany
• Contempo Design, Chicago, USA
• BBC, London

Here are some questions that we asked Craig:

1. What inspired you to become part of the Llanelly House Project?

"I followed the trials and tribulations of the project from 2003 where the project was a Grand Finalist and then heard nothing until the end of 2009 when I heard that full funding had been secured and the project was going live.  The passion, heart, drive and sheer dogged determination with which the trustees, local community and Welsh public have fought to get the building restored is truly inspiring".

2. What do you hope the project will bring the town?

"The project has to be seen in the wider context of Llanelli's regeneration programme that is designed to breathe life back into the community and town centre with the major investment that is projected over the next 10 years. Llanelly House is for me is the heartbeat of Llanelli as it the first house in Llanelli, embracing the industrial revolution and is at the heart of Llanelli's emergence as an industrial centre.  The house is unique in that it reflects and represents the trials and tribulation of the town. The house is bound up in the towns identity and really is a treasure that needs preserving and giving back to the community. Apart from the unique Georgian architecture, the house will be a cutting edge facility that the entire community can utilise, steeped in the rich heritage that the house spawned over the years. The house will generate both local and national pride through the careful development of the building facility and function, which we are currently developing a very exciting and innovative proposal together with the community, which will generate over 30 new jobs for the community and bring additional visitors and tourism and trade."

3. How is Llanelli House similar to other projects you have worked on?

"I have managed, directed and implemented the vision of many major heritage and commercial projects – I have just completed the Scotch Whisky Heritage Centre on the Royal Mile in Edinburgh, which was a classic building that was restored and given a purpose so that the facility is economically sustainable for years to come. Equally it is important that the building was utilized by the local community, businesses, schools, families and tourists facility that is firmly based on the principals of ‘Access for All'.

Most of the work I have been involved with has been main thoroughfare attractions – such as the Science Museum but there are some exemplary projects such as At-Bristol's  Hands on Science Centre, Explore, which was part of a major millennium regeneration programme and is a good example of sustainability and regeneration."

4. What do you personally think the best part of your job is?

"The best part of my job is when I walk back into a facility after a number of years that I've have been a part of creating and simply to stand in the environment and watch it being used by the public in the way it was designed to."

Procurement is now starting!

CHRT office has received a number of enquiries as to 'what's happening' at Llanelly House since all the funding was secure last year. In a word 'lots!'

Over the last 4 months or so, the CHRT team have been working on preparing the Procurement process so that Tenders for the Architect and Quantity Surveyor services can be advertised.  This process is a lengthy one and we can now announce that both these notices are now 'live' on the Sell2Wales website.

The Notice for the Quantity Surveying Services is via the Non OJEU route.  If you are interested in tendering for the work either visit www.sell2wales.co.uk or click on the link https://www.sell2wales.co.uk/notices/display.html?NoticeId=21151

As for the Notice for the Conservation & Project Architectural Services, this tender is via the OJEU route.  Again, if you are interested in tendering for the work either visit www.sell2wales.co.uk or click on the link https://www.sell2wales.co.uk/notices/display.html?NoticeId=21187

To aid the procurement process and encourage local suppliers to bid for the tenders, Mid & West Wales Chamber kindly organised 2 'Meet the Buyer' events in Llanelli.  During the 2 days, Lisa Bancroft and Estelle Evans spoke to over 100 local business from a variety of sectors who were interested in working on the Llanelly House project.

With the notices now 'live' physical restoration on Llanelly House is envisaged to start during the Summer 2010.

Another new team member!

Llanelly House team are certainly increasing in numbers with the appointment of the new Project Administrator, Joanna Walsh.

"I feel extremely lucky to have been offered the position of Project Administrator for Llanelly House as I've been working in partnership with the Community Development team whilst in my previous role at the Discovery Centre, North Dock, Llanelli,” said Joanna.  She continued, "I dealt with a number of Llanelly House enquiries from the public whilst at the Discovery Centre.   It was great when Estelle offered to take the whole Centre staff on a guided tour of Llanelly House and it was then I realised I would love to be part of this exciting project – and now I am!”

Joanna is a local girl, who was educated at Ysgol y Strade, Llanelli. 

If you need to Joanna her contact details are 01554 772857 or email Joanna.walsh@chrt.org.uk