Hafodunos Hall - Triumph of the Martyr
Hafodunos had been a name which was familiar to me for many years. I tried to find it several times, but unsuccessfully. A good friend of mine, the late Don Richards, had talked profusely about this forlorn gothic mansion hidden in the woods near to Llangernyw but had never really explained how to get there. When I eventually stumbled across the house it was a surreal experience to witness a building which had just literally been abandoned; there was still food in the kitchen cupboards and carpets on the floors! Despite neglect Hafodunos’ isolated position had saved it from any serious vandalism, so what one encountered was very much as it had always been. In respect of this I thoroughly photographed the interior and exterior as I had an awful feeling that something tragic would happen to the house in the not too distant future.
Whilst on an archaeological trip to Plas Teg, Mold I received a phone call from an old school friend who was watching the Six O’Clock News, which reported that Hafodunos had gone up in flames and that the main house had been gutted by fire. Everyone in the car fell silent as I announced the news and I in particular, was utterly shocked by what I had just heard. It was at that moment that I decided to research a book in order to preserve for perpetuity the history of Hafodunos. Then the fun really started with collecting information about the development of the house and estate. I must give huge thanks to Auriol, Marchioness of Linlithgow, who as a direct descendant of the builder of Hafodunos permitted me access to her private family collection and papers. Another great help was Gillian Slater, the organiser for the Hafodunos Hall Girl’s School Reunion who put me in touch with many ‘old girls’ who had been to school there.
Concurrently, I was studying for my BA so the research for Hafodunos coincided with various University projects which eventually were turned into chapters of the book. As with most houses there were tales that were more apparent than others; one of these was the prolific yet short life of Margaret Sandbach whose poetry had been inspired by Hafodunos. Much of the book was actually written whilst staying at Gwydir Castle, Llanrwst and in the grounds of Hafodunos which I felt allowed a deeper connection with the story of the house.
I decided to release the book to coincide with the first anniversary of the fire on the 14th October 2005. Prior to the book’s official release, a copy was presented to the Culture Minister of Wales at the time; Alun Pugh AM following a meeting to discuss the future of the house. Since then, the publication has been a source for those interested in the work of Sir George Gilbert Scott and Victorian domestic architecture, local history and also it was used as an advert for the property whilst it was up for sale. Let us hope that one day Hafodunos will rise like the phoenix from the ashes and once again be resplendent in its Gothic glory.