Hafodunos Hall - Triumph of the Martyr (2005): CLICK
HERE TO
BUY! 
Back Cover:
Hafodunos Hall is one of the most important buildings at risk in Wales, playing a key part in Welsh cultural history during the nineteenth century. Its rooms and galleries were once the home to the largest collection of sculpture by the famous Welsh sculptor, John Gibson. It provided much inspiration for the renowned poetess Margaret Sandbach, author of "Aurora" and first wife of the builder of the Hall. Hafodunos was designed by the eminent architect Sir George Gilbert Scott and is described as his most spectacular example of domestic architecture in Wales. A famous conifer arboretum and plant collection was gathered from all over the world and grown within the gardens which were advised upon by Sir William Jackson Hooker of the Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew.
Neglected for years the house had become a haven for vandalism and theft; the Victorian Venetian-Gothic masterpiece's famed interiors perished in a devastating fire on 14th October 2004. What were the events leading up to its sad demise? Could they have been prevented? Whatever happened to the Gibson collection? All of these questions can be answered in what is the first ever publication on the history of Hafodunos. Much unpublished material has been used to create the most comprehensive review of one of North Wales's most illustrious estates.
Contents:
Foreword by the Marchioness of Linlithgow
Introduction
Early History
1530 – 1833 ~ Jure Non Dono
1833 – 1852 ~ The Gift of Gibson
1852– 1895 ~ Venetian Inspired Gothic
1895– 1934 ~ Sam, Arthur and Geraldine
1934– 1969 ~ Deeds Not Words
1969 - 1993 ~ Changing Faces
1994 – 2004 ~ Wind, Rain and Dry Rot
The Fire ~ Fallen Sons of Eve
Interior as it was
Exterior in it’s prime
Gardens and Estate
Conclusions ~ Phoenix With a Broken Wing
Appendices
Maps and Plans
The Development of Old Hafodunos Hall
Lloyd Family Inscriptions from St Digains, Llangernyw
Margaret Sandbach’s Poetry
Sculpture Once at Hafodunos
Surviving Old Girls from Hafodunos Hall Girl’s School
Acknowledgements
Book Review:
DESPITE the success of his previous publications on Gwrych Castle in Abergele, Mark Baker from Prestatyn, has been surprised by the popularity of his latest book
He unveiled Hafodunos Hall - Triumph of the Martyr, about the once spectacular Llangernyw landmark, on October 14 - the first anniversary of a fire which put its future in jeopardy. Ironically book sales have probably been higher because of the blaze, which was reported by most local and regional papers in North Wales.Even Mark recognises that, as in the introduction to the book he writes: "Few had heard of Hafodunos Hall until that fateful night in October, 2004, when its sorrowful fate was splashed across the national press." Prior to that night, many were not aware the historical hall even existed. But Mark is keen for it to be known for more than the fire and in his book gives countless accounts of the significance of the hall, making readers fully aware of the reasons why the arson attack was so devastating.
Tucked away in Llangernyw, a village inland from Abergele, Hafodunos has a history which could have filled several books. But Mark has successfully managed to get it all in to one, while at the same time ensuring the book retains great detail.For anyone interested in historical buildings, this book will make gripping reading. It is broken up into 13 chapters, each one detailing a particular period in the hall's history. In some ways, it makes a somewhat poignant read, following it from its glory days to its recent decline. It is obvious a lot of hard work and research has gone into producing it to the point you wonder where the 20-year-old found the time to write it, in between his ongoing campaigning to save Gwrych Castle and reading history and archaeology at university! Much of the material and information contained in what is Mark's fifth book has never been published before.
"Most of the material which does exist in the public domain refers only to the Victorian mansion, virtually nothing has been said on its earlier incarnations," said Mark. "This is also true of its later and most recent history, following the sale by the Sandbach family in 1934."
Mark hopes raising awareness about Hafodunos will ensure it is resurrected
from the ashes, a dream shared by Auriol, Marchioness of Linlithgow, whose
great-great-grandfather, Samuel Sandbach, bought the Hafodunos estate in
1833. It remained in the family for over 100 years.In the foreword to the
book, Auriol writes: "I am enormously grateful to Mark Baker for producing
this splendidly researched account of my former family home. I can only
hope that in doing so, it will provide the necessary inspiration for someone
with the sensitivity and passion to undertake the worthy resurrection of
this remarkable house." lHafodunos Hall - Triumph of the Martyr costs
£9.99 and is available from The Stag Inn, Post Office and The Bridge
Inn, Llangernyw; Post Office, library and Whiteside's newsagents, Abergele;
Siop Ganol and post office, Llanddulas; Siop y Morfa, Rhyl.
By Kind Permission and Courtesy of Justine Bailey and The Abergele Visitor