hosygilwen, near Cilgerran, is a
difficult place to categorise as itR
boasts a wealth of functions, from
vibrant concerts to providing a peaceful
retreat.
The location has opened its doors to the
rich culture to be found in the local area and
attracts guests from all over the country.
It has become a diverse venue, which
includes modern recording and performing
facilities, traditionally dug vegetable
gardens, art, rolling grounds and eco
principles.
Set in the grounds of the Victorian gothic
mansion house, the two-year-old Oak Hall/
Neuadd y Dderwen, has been described as
west Wales' most exciting new music and
arts venue.
The venue has become a prime location
for musical evenings, enticing artists to enjoy
an intimate and inspirational atmosphere.
The 1850s mansion replaced an earlier
building in the grounds which was destroyed
by fire.
The house, grounds and garden were
later painstakingly restored after the current
owners, Glen Peters and Brenda Squires, fell
in love with the property and bought it in
1994. The property’s glasshouse was renovated used as a studio recording facility, which has
The house was damp and dilapidated, four years ago. Rebuilt by local skilled been used by Cerys Matthews and Jeremy
and had almost been ruined by a second fire labourers, using parts salvaged from the Huw Williams with the Welsh Chamber
which destroyed the roof and upstairs rooms original, it is now filled with flowers, fruit Orchestra.
in 1985, but the ornate oak staircase and a and herbs for use in the house. World-class performers to have featured
spectacular stained glass stairlight survived The house has nine rooms, which can on the programme this year, include: Maddy
the blaze. accommodate around 22 guests, and events Prior, John Renbourn, Natalie Clein,
Extensive renovation restored the house to include jamborees, exhibitions garden tours, Serendipity, Nikolai Demidenko, The Dyfed
its former glory ten years ago, but scorch and team-building weekends. Choir, Andrew Motion, Tango Siempre,
marks still scar small areas. A successful Lazy Sunday Market was Dafydd Iwan, John Kirkpatrick, The Mostly
Gabby Oxborrow has been manager of recently held here, and may become a Mozart series and a full Viennese summer
Rhosygilwen for the past five years, and regular feature this year. ball.
organises a packed diary of varied events Gabby added: “It was absolutely heaving, The hall has a mobile stage and its own
throughout the and we now have a waiting Steinway grand piano, and has impressed
year. list of people wanting to have both audiences and performers. CatrinPEOPLE TEND TO
Home cooked stalls here.” Finch, Shan Cothi, Maddy Prior and TheFIND US THROUGH
meals are prepared The owners wanted to Academy of St Martins, are some of theWORD OF MOUTH,
on the premises “ invest in the arts and the many performers who have played here.“BUT SOME PEOPLE
using locally community, and started Mabinogion figures hover above
sourced produce, IN CILGERRAN DON’T putting on concerts which photographs of musicians in the entrance to
much of which EVEN KNOW WE ARE became very popular. the oak hall.
comes from the HERE After outgrowing the space The carvings were created by Phil Forder
Victorian mansion’s available inside the house, Glen Peters had who lives locally, and are based on stories
own grounds. the inspiration of creating a purpose built originating from west Wales, such as
Staff now cater for up to 20 weddings a concert hall. Gwydion,Blodeuwedd, Pywll, Branwen,
year, for both local couples and many from Neuadd y Dderwen/the Oak Hall, a green Manwydan and Rhiannon.
London and Cardiff who have discovered oak construction in keeping with a centuries The hall has proved popular to a number
this unique location. old tradition of craftsmanship, opened in of talented local artists such as Newport
Gabby said: “People tend to find us July 2006. singer/songwriter Lowri Evans, who has
through word of mouth, but some people in The hall has been designed to maximise been filmed here, and Claire Jones of
Cilgerran don’t even know we are here.” the superb acoustics, with a high oak-beam Crymych, harpist to the Prince of Wales, who
Outside the mansion and hall, paths wind ceiling and windows positioned in a zigzag chose this location to launch her new CD.
through thriving wild flowers and unusual pattern to reflect the sound back into the For more information about events and
tress, and interesting sculptures blend into room. accommodation at Rhosygilwen visit
their surroundings. The sustainable building has a low carbon
www.rhosygilwen.co.uk.
The 55 acres are divided into gardens, footprint, using ground source heating, and
orchards and fields let out to local farmers. solar cells on the roof to produce electricity.
Gardener John and Max the dog are kept Rhosygilwen is dedicated to promoting live
busy in the large walled garden, which music by Welsh and international artists in
bursts with vegetables and herbs, and has a variety of music styles.
attracted TV chefs such as Dudley. A wealth of other art forms have also
The produce is grown to organic principles been promoted at the atmospheric venue,
inside the high red brick walls, and trees which has fantastic views over the rolling
and bushes drip with fruit for jams and countryside.
puddings. Artists who have performed at the hall
A 100-year-old fig tree still offers loads of have praised the fine acoustics, and it is also
fruit.
Pembrokeshire County Living 45
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