Today we are in Ceredigion in one of the most historic sites in all of Wales, the ruins of the abbey of Strata Florida – Latin for ‘Vale of Flowers’ – a beautiful location on a lush meadow beside the banks of the river Teifi. The Strata Florida Trust does really fantastic work, and have a newly launched fundraiser with Localgiving, focused on the Mynachlog Fawr farmhouse. Our Head of Communications, Luke Upton, today talks to Carys Aldous-Hughes the Operational Director of the Trust, to find out more about their, goals, work, and current focus.

Luke Upton (LU): Thanks for the time today, Carys, for our community members who aren’t familiar with Strata Florida, can you share with them a little about what makes it such a special and important place?

Carys Aldous-Hughes (CA-H): No worries, Luke, located next door to the 12 century Cistercian Abbey of Strata Florida is the grade II and II* listed farm buildings of Mynachlog Fawr. Built out of the remains of the abbey, and later a gentry house and tenant farm, Mynachlog Fawr embodies the rich history of this region, from the medieval era through to the modern day.

LU: The Strata Florida Trust was set up as a charity in 2006, what were the origins, and what are its aims?

CA-H: After setting up the charity in 2006, the Trust bought the farm in 2016. Our task at the Strata Florida Trust ( @YstradFflur ) is to restore the farmhouse and all its farm buildings. We aim to bring new economic, social, and cultural life to the area, and at the same time to celebrate Strata Florida’s unique landscape and history. We are planning to achieve this through running a programme of courses and events and having the site open to the public to learn about and experience this unique site. We currently have a free to enter exhibition, annual archaeology field school and programme of courses and events.

LU: You’ve just opened a new fundraising appeal, for the Mynachlog Fawr farmhouse, what’s driving this need for funds?

CA-H: The farmhouse has been vacant since the early 1990s, and since the Trust took ownership in 2016, the condition of the farmhouse has been monitored with small repairs carried out. Recently the house has been deteriorating more quickly and is now at high risk of significant deterioration. We are applying to the NLHF for funding to contribute to these emergency repairs, and funds raised through community crowdfunding will act as match funding. These works will include rebuilding a section of the back wall and structural surveys. This will help us to save this unique grade II* listed building in the short term before full conservation work can be carried out to open the house to the public.

LU: Great, we are delighted to help support this appeal. Do you have other developments or appeals planned for 2024.

CA-H: 2024 will be another busy year for the Trust. We will be running a range of courses from night photography to creative writing, and the history of the Cistercians to the poetry of Strata Florida. These courses will be run by local artists and experts. Our annual archaeology field school will also be returning for its 5th year, and we will be continuing to uncover an area which suggests pre-Cistercian use of the site. We have also recently started a heritage engagement and outreach project and we’re looking forward to welcoming schools and groups to Strata Florida this year.

LU: Funding aside, what would most support the Strata Florida Trust?

CA-H: Get involved with the work and projects that we do, whether that’s attending a course, visiting our exhibition which displays items from the house and farm, joining us for an event, or volunteering with us. There’s lots of ways to get involved and experience the site.

LU: How important has the support from Localgiving been?

CA-H: The support from Localgiving has been extremely important to Strata Florida and our community. It has enabled us to undertake crucial work which as a small independent charity, we simply would not be able to afford. Thank you!

LU: Great, we look forward to keeping our community up to date with your developments!

To support the Emergency Works for Mynachlog Fawr Farmhouse click here.