Book Sparks Hall Interest
December 15th 2005
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.
People can order a copy by logging on to www.hafodunos-hall.co.uk
By Kind Permission and Courtesy of Justine Bailey and The Abergele Visitor