Llanelly House

Llanelly House
General information
Status	Empty
Town or city	Llanelli, Carmarthenshire
Country	Wales
Construction started	1714
Design and construction
Owner	Carmarthenshire Heritage Regeneration Trust

History

Llanelly House is one of the most notable historic properties in Llanelli, Carmarthenshire, Wales—an excellent example of an early 18th-century Georgian town house. It had been described as "the most outstanding domestic building of its early Georgian type to survive in South Wales."

The then Member of Parliament for Carmarthenshire, Thomas Stepney, originally built the house in 1714. John Wesley, the early leader of the Methodist movement, stayed at the house several times during his many visits to the town.^{[citation needed]}

The house, located directly opposite the parish church, is currently in a poor state of repair; however, the town council has recently purchased it with plans to completely restore the house for civic and public use.

Restoration

The house during its resoration.

In November 2009 Carmarthenshire Heritage Regeneration Trust (CHRT) secured £6 million funding for the conservation and restoration of the building, with plans to develop a ground-breaking innovative visitor experience with heritage at its core. Extensive research into the history of the house and its original condition was performed focusing on the architecture and design of the building, as well as artefacts and stories of past occupants who left their mark in Llanelli’s history. The benefactors of the project are the Heritage Lottery Fund, WEFO and CADW. The aim is to create a social hub that the entire community can utilise, evoking local and national pride.

Media

The Llanelly House project was effectively started during the 2003 BBC Restoration series, in which the building was an acclaimed finalist, championed by Laurence Llewelyn Bowen. During the series the house reached the final as the winner of the Welsh heat. In June 2006 Llanelly House featured in the TV show Most Haunted Live as part of a three night investigation which also included Parc Howard Museum and Kidwelly Castle.

In February 2011 planners announced that architects had been employed to undertake the £6m restoration project, a month after Carmarthenshire County Council had revealed funding was in place.

Archaeology

The construction work that has taken place in the house has allowed archaeologists to expose hidden areas that have been covered up for hundreds of years. One significant find recovered from the demolition rubble in Sir Thomas Stepney’s study was a clay tobacco pipe bowl. It can be easily identified, by its type and form, as dating from 1650-80. On its base is the maker’s mark, a ‘gloved hand’, identifying the pipe as a product of the Gauntlet family, famous Wiltshire pipe-makers based in Amesbury.

As the builders were stripping away the interior walls, a panel was revealed, hiding a cupboard. Inside, above the safe in Sir Thomas Stepney’s study, a book was found. This is believed to be the first Letter Book for the Margrave Brothers, a wine and spirit merchant established in 1871, who traded for over 100 years in the house.

A flight of stone stairs has been uncovered during the construction work leading down to the cobbled floor. These are thought to have originally led, in the late 17th century, to an enclosed 'cupboard' or scullery area which would have in turn given access to the low storage or basement areas which have already been exposed.

Future of the house

The House is set to reopen in 2013 as a Genealogy Heritage Centre.

The 'Be a Face' of Llanelly House campaign is currently running encouraging people to put forward who they want to appear in the House. Project Director, Craig Hatto, commeted: "Llanelly House is the heartbeat of Llanelli and reflects the triumphs and tribulations of the town, embracing the industrial revolution and sparking prosperity."

External links

Llanelly House Genealogy Heritage Centre

Llanelli Town Council