SO0897 : Giant ceramic hand sculpture at Gregynog
taken 6 years ago, near to Tregynon, Powys, Wales
The Gregynog estate has existed since at least the 12th century but in 1913 a huge estate sale saw Gregynog’s farms, cottages and woodlands sold off, many to their tenants.
The Hall was acquired by the Margaret and Gwendoline Davies (granddaughters of David Davies Llandinam) in 1920 to become the headquarters of their enterprise to bring art, music and creative skills to the people of Wales in the aftermath of the First World War. The Grade I listed gardens were described in The Gardener’s Chronicle of 1912 as ‘highly artistic and in complete harmony with the natural surroundings’. They are open to the public for a small fee.
The current Hall was built in the 1840s for Charles Hanbury-Tracy, 1st Baron Sudeley and is one of the earliest examples of a concrete clad building still in existence.
It is now run by the University of Wales and operates as a conference centre as well as hosting the oldest classical music festival in Wales.
Gwasg Gregynog (printing press started by the Davies sisters) still operates from the Hall.
More information -
University of Wales Link
Gwas Gregynog Press Link
The house Link