y
Holiday Cottages Mid Wales for Self Catering in Powys: Montgomery Express Article 1914
Holiday Cottages Mid Wales at The Forest
Self Catering Holiday Cottages Mid Wales in Powys: Montgomery Express Article 1914
Montgomery Express
8th December 1914
THE BEAUTIES OF KERRY Restoration of an Old Mansion
"One
of the most charming of the vales is the Forest, through which
the Mule melodiously meanders in its tortuous course to the
hamlet that bears its name. I have gone back and back again to
this lovely spot, where, amidst the sweet ministrations of
nature, one forgets the cares and worries and ambitions and
responsibilities of everyday life. There no motor cars churn up
dust and scatter it in choking clouds over the verdant greenery,
nor if refreshing communion with rural sights and sounds
distracted by those fleeting objects of the common highway. In
this elysium nature enjoys its pristine peace and purity unlike
many other beauty spots disturbed and despoiled by a utilitarian
age. At the gateway of the valley, encircled by a brotherhood of
venerable trees, and embosomed by pastoral heights whose
graceful lines are panelled with the variegated foliage of copse
and wood, stands the mansion house of the Forest, which,
according to local tradition, was originally a monastery. I have
been unable to glean anything from parochial history confirming
this supposition, which perhaps has no surer basis than the
presence of two magnificent yews, whose obvious old age attests
the antiquity of this dwelling place. At all events they are
evidence that at one time the Forest was manor house of
importance.
There lives in Kerry an octogenarian lady whose parents resided
at one of the two houses of which the Forest, she says, then
consisted in 1822 the date of their marriage. Not long after
this date the houses were converted into one dwelling by Miss
Herbert, sister of John Owen Herbert, who occupied Dolforgan
Hall. There Miss Herbert died, since when the Forest has been
tenanted amongst others by Mr Hensley, (curate of Kerry, and
son-in-law of the Rev William Morgan, B.D., vicar of Kerry),
from about 1844 to 1880, and later by Mr Siddeman, also a curate
of Kerry. An esteemed friend of mine, who knows the history of
Kerry better than any other living inhabitant, states that from
conversations with old villagers passed away, he has always
understood that the Forest was the home of the Herberts, the
owners of Dolforgan estate, prior to the erection of Dolforgan
Hall.
It would appear that Upper Cwmydalfa, a black-and-white
farmhouse of considerable interest to antiquarians, formed the
first homestead of this family. A tablet in Kerry Parish Church
is the earliest record we get of this mansion. It is inscribed
thus:- Erected to the memory of Hugh Maxwell, Esq., of
Dalswinton, Dumfries, who died in this parish at the Forest,
15th July, 1810; aged 76 years. Singularly enough, the late Mrs
Willans also hailed from this part of Scotland.
Now the property of Mr J Bancroft Willans, whose late father
purchased Dolforgan estate from the Walton trustees, the Forest
was recently renovated and added to, and its amenities greatly
improved. My readers will hardly recognise in the accompanying
picture the old house that once stood in a somewhat heavy,
sombre setting, although it does not (by reason of disabilities
which the photographer could not possibly overcome) embrace all
the very substantial structural alterations, nor the enhanced
aspects of a beautifully situated mansion.
The proprietor spared no expense in this work of improvement,
which was designed by and executed under the supervision of the
estate agent, Mr Alex Anderson, whose architectural skill,
thoroughly practical and up-to-date ideas of building and
sanitation find many notable proofs upon the domains of
Dolforgan, for the welfare of whose tenantry he has ever shown
an enthusiastic and intelligent concern. Trained in a school of
building construction, he also possesses a first-class knowledge
of progressive agriculture and of stock breeding, the
experimental results of which furnish a continuous subject of
educational interest not only to the tenants, but also to the
farmers of the neighbourhood. It is no exaggeration to say that
served by such a brainy and considerate steward, Dolforgan is
one of the best managed estates in Wales.
The Forest improvements extend even to the introduction of
electric light, whose motive power is the little Mule.
Parenthetically, it may be stated that this rivulet has been
harnessed for the operation of the estate sawmills, the lighting
and heating of Dolforgan Hall, and diverse industrial purposes.
The light is generated by a Gilkes turbine, and during periods
of drought by a Hornsby oil engine, both located at the
sawmills.
Besides these interesting works one could long dwell in
observation of what can be accomplished by the industrial
cultivation of a mere brook. Here it manufactures light for two
mansions and transmits it over wide distances measuring in its
entire length at least a mile; its unseen mechanism exercises a
sturdy chain which, human- like, lays hooked hold on stupendous
tree trunks, lugs them up and onto the sawbench, where they are
speedily transformed into the raw material for the carpenters;
it drives a whole system of barn machinery, such as the chaffer,
the kibbler, the cake crusher, and blows the chaff (cleaned
during the process) into the byres and stables; it pumps, and it
drives a series of joinering machinery. A wonderful economist of
manual labour, its operations provide a most instructive study,
which in turn suggests the infinite uses to which the Severn
might be employed as a water power all along its course through
Montgomeryshire. Could the industrial possibilities of this
brook be exploited for industrial purposes? I asked Mr Anderson.
His practical mind furnished a ready answer in the affirmative.
Yes, he replied. For one thing it could be successfully
utilised for the purpose of threshing grain. Taking the place of
the steam engine, to drag which to many farm steadings as many
as six to eight horses are required, an electric motor could be
attached to the drum of the threshing machine, and the electric
current for same transmitted on wires from the generating
station. The possibilities of electricity are illimitable.
In this manner the current is carried to the Forest and
distributed through every department of the house. While the
house has been modernised and extended, a wholesale sweep has
been made of many old attachments, including the stables and
byre, and their substitution by buildings ingeniously planned
with minutest consideration for convenience, comfort and economy
of labour, transforms the old appearance of the place. The hand
and brain of a very practical reformer have been on the job,
to use a colloquial.
The restored mansion, through which I was privileged to walk the
other day and remark with great interest the rare zoological
specimens that decorate its entrance hall, consists of spacious
dining, drawing and morning rooms, a magnificent oak staircase,
boudoir, four bedrooms, three dressing rooms, nursery, two
bathrooms, butler’s and housemaid’s pantries, kitchen, scullery,
servants hall, dairy, larders, cellars, servants quarters on top
floor, laundry, and coalhouse in the kitchen yard.
The out offices comprise a six-roomed gardener’s cottage, stable
for four horses, cow house, pig styes, kennels, wash house,
boiler house, two garages (one with pit), harness room, tool
houses, granary, hay loft, store rooms, potting shed, fruit
room, and all the sanitary essentials. A great believer in the
employment of concrete wherever it can reasonably take the place
of other building material, Mr Anderson shows a type of stable,
byre, garage, kennel etc., fashioned and designed with
scrupulous regard for sanitary efficiency and immunity from
destruction by fire, and of this material the enclosure walls
are also made. In connection with rural mansions generally,
perhaps the least satisfactory feature is the drainage system,
but here the sanitarian will witness a striking success achieved
over natural disadvantages by a masterful conception of means to
ends. I cannot attempt to describe it, but apparently the
intricate scheme of drainage has been skilfully planned, and
that at considerable expense. All sinks, I noticed, have
Buchan’s grease traps conveniently placed and manholes
constructed at every angle, thus not only guaranteeing perfect
ventilation, but giving access to every drain section. The
sanitary fitments made by Twyfords, have been well arranged, and
obviously much care has been exercised to secure an ideal
system.
Drawn from a rock five hundred yards distant, and stored in an
intermediate concrete well capable of holding 1,000 gallons, the
new and abundant water supply gravitates across the Mule to the
house and outbuildings. From the massive kitchen boiler hot
water is sent to all parts of the house, and at no fewer than
nine places can hot and cold be drawn simultaneously, while
the staircase is heated from the same source, and all this with
but one fire. Viewing the whole work it is evident that the
estate agent has been fortunate in the selection of his
tradesmen.
The Forest was recently leased to Lieut. W. M. Congrieve,
Royal Navy Reserve, fine specimens of whose big game shot in
British East Africa, and other foreign parts, embellish the
entrance hall, the staircase, and several of the rooms. To his
orders the grounds and gardens are being attractively laid out,
and with this enhancement of its amenities the Forest, so
richly environed by natural beauty, becomes one of the most
desirable residential spots of the county. At present the
gallant Lieutenant is on active service. His safe and speedy
return is the fervent wish of the people of Kerry, who will
accord a real Welsh welcome to him and his good lady."
