Strengthening our plans

Plas Gunter Mansion Trust was awarded a Delivery Phase grant of £3,365,000 from the National Lottery Heritage Fund in early October 2025 to restore and redevelop Gunter Mansion. The Trust is looking to appoint an experienced Interpretive Design & Fit-Out Consultancy to deliver the design and fit-out phase Work will start on 06 January 2026 and the exhibition fit-out is scheduled to take place in October 2027. For a full brief and application details, please visit www.plasguntermansion.org.uk/jobs . The deadline for proposals is Friday 12 December 2025 at 12.00.

Plas Gunter Mansion Trust was awarded a Delivery Phase grant of £3,365,000 from the National Lottery Heritage Fund in early October 2025 to restore and redevelop Gunter Mansion. The Trust is looking to appoint an experienced Project Manager to manage the restoration works at RIBA Stage 4 and beyond. The Project Manager needs to be RICS qualified or equivalent and have experience of working on heritage buildings. Work will start on 06 January 2026 and finish approximately by 31 December 2027. For a full brief and application details, please visit www.plasguntermansion.org.uk/jobs . The deadline for proposals is Monday 8 December 2025 at 12.00.

Plas Gunter Mansion Trust has been awarded a delivery grant by The National Lottery Heritage Fund to conserve and transform the house into a fascinating visitor experience. Plas Gunter Mansion Trust is announcing a £3,365,702 grant from the Heritage Fund to save the 17 th century town house located in Cross Street in Abergavenny and transform it into a centre for visitors, community activities and businesses. Made possible by National Lottery players, the grant will allow the Trust to restore and conserve historic fabric, including a 17 th century ornate plasterwork ceiling and hidden chapel with evidence of wall paintings, to create a vibrant cultural and community hub. The Trust is required to raise £500,000 in match funding, and the Heritage Fund’s award has already given confidence to other funders with pledges of £350,000 so far from Welsh Government’s Placemaking Grant, Monmouthshire County Council, UK Government’s Shared Prosperity Fund, and Abergavenny Town Council leaving a remaining target of £150,000. Plas Gunter Mansion is a townhouse on lower Cross Street in the heart of Abergavenny’s historic quarter. One of the town’s most important historic buildings, it is renowned for its secret Catholic chapel—hidden for over 200 years—where Wales’ last Catholic martyr once preached, and for the remains of a Roman road lying beneath its garden. Without this funding from the Heritage Fund the building and its stories would be lost forever. Plans include a visitor exhibition which will bring the mansion’s fascinating history alive, and a wide-ranging programme of events and activities has been planned to engage more people in the heritage of Gunter Mansion whilst strengthening ties with the local community. There will also be room for several local business to make their home in the building, helping the building become financially sustainable. Work on the building will start before the end of the year and it is expected to open in March 2028. The Trust has also recently acquired the land behind the building which was the house’s original garden with support from Welsh Government’s Local Places for Nature Fund and the Town Council. Currently a derelict scrubland used as an ad hoc car park, plans are in progress to develop the land into an urban green space providing vehicular and disabled access to the house, small-scale parking for tenants, and a flexible event space. It will also include growing areas for schools and community groups, native planting to attract pollinators, and improved green links between the bus station and town centre. If you would like to contribute to the project, please visit www.plasguntermansion.org.uk/supportus . Commenting on the award, Owen Davies, Chair of Plas Gunter Mansion Trust said: “We are thrilled to have received this support from The National Lottery Heritage Fund. The potential of our project to engage more people with heritage, boost the local economy and make Abergavenny a better place to live, work and visit is considerable. Thanks to National Lottery players we will open the most historic parts of the building to the public for the first time and reveal a capsule of stories from the past 400 years. Local, national and international visitors will be able to learn more about the history and cultural identity of Abergavenny and its relevance to the wider themes of persecution, tolerance and sanctuary which are particularly pertinent today. He added: “I’d also like to thank all the local organisations who helped us during the development of our plans and the funders who have put their faith in the project, including the National Lottery Heritage Fund, Architectural Heritage Fund, Welsh Government Placemaking Grant, Monmouthshire County Council, Local Places for Nature Fund, UK Shared Prosperity Fund and in particular Abergavenny Town Council who have shown us unwavering support. Andrew White, Director of The National Lottery Heritage Fund said: “We’re proud to support Plas Gunter Mansion Trust in restoring one of Abergavenny’s most significant historic buildings. This project shows how National Lottery funding can help protect remarkable heritage, unlock hidden stories and create vibrant places for communities and visitors to enjoy for generations to come.” Monmouthshire County Council's Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Planning and Economic Development, Cllr Paul Griffiths, said: "As a council, we are very pleased to be able to pledge funding to the Plas Gunter Mansion project. This is a historic building in the heart of Abergavenny, and as a council we look forward to seeing the building opened to the public in the near future. The plans to create a welcoming space for visitors and businesses will provide more opportunities in the town centre."

Are you interested in getting involved in a forthcoming gardening project in Abergavenny? Plas Gunter Mansion Trust, based in Cross Street, Abergavenny, has recently acquired around one third of an acre of land behind Gunter Mansion. Our long-term vision for the land is a publicly accessible urban green space which creates an appropriate setting for the renovated 17th century Grade II* listed Gunter Mansion. The Trust has detailed plans for the renovation and repurpose of the building and is currently waiting to find out whether its application to the National Lottery Heritage Fund for £3.3 million has been successful. The purchase of the land and its initial development is being funded by the Welsh Government’s Local Places for Nature Fund, Abergavenny Town Council, Abergavenny Civic Society and generous individuals. This funding will allow us to treat the Japanese Knotweed, clear the land and secure the site. Because of the Japanese Knotweed and the need for a builder’s compound to facilitate the restoration of the building, we will be operating a no-dig garden for the first few years. During this initial phase, we have plans to erect a polytunnel which will act as a nursery for the plants which will eventually end up in the ground. We also need to develop a long-term garden design which has to be complete by December 2025 - we would love your help with the design! If everything goes according to plan and we are able to start the house renovation before the end of the year, we expect the building works to be finished by September 2027 with the building opening to the public in March 2028. During this time, we will be fundraising so that we can implement the long-term garden design as soon as the building works are finished. There will be a meeting on Thursday 23 October at 18.00 at the Methodist Church Hall for anyone interest in getting involved in the gardening project where our landscape architects, Element Urbanism, will talk through the constraints of the land and the possibilities open to us. The meeting is for anyone who wants to find out a bit more with no obligation. Please let us know if you would like to come to the meeting by emailing info@plasguntermansion.org.uk .

Plas Gunter Mansion Trust is delighted that Abergavenny Town Council has contributed £30,000 towards our landmark purchase of the land behind Plas Gunter Mansion, the historic Grade II* listed 17th-century building. The purchase reunites the Mansion with its original garden at last. This significant step of reuniting the house and the garden was enabled by the Welsh Government’s Local Places for Nature programme (just under £250,000), alongside contributions from Abergavenny Civic Society (£5,000) and individual donors (£5,000). The Trust, supported by landscape architects Element Urbanism of Monmouth, is already developing temporary and long-term plans for the site. In the short term, the area will be secured to prevent unauthorised access, fly-tipping, and ad hoc parking, and will serve as a builder’s yard during restoration work. Part of the site will become a nursery, cultivating a range of flowers, fruit and vegetables for use in the future design. The permanent landscaping scheme, to be delivered after the Mansion’s completion in late summer 2027, will transform the land into a vibrant urban green space. Once completed, the garden will provide vehicular and disabled access, small-scale parking for tenants, and a flexible event space. It will also include growing areas for schools and community groups, native planting to attract pollinators, and improved green links between the bus station and Tithe Barn, reflecting the Abergavenny Placemaking Plan. The Trust is inviting local individuals and groups to help shape the garden from the very beginning; no experience is necessary, just enthusiasm. To volunteer, email info@plasguntermansion.org.uk . Owen Davies, Chair of Plas Gunter Mansion Trust, said: “The purchase of the land at the rear of Plas Gunter Mansion marks a major milestone in our efforts to secure the Mansion’s sustainable restoration and create a compelling visitor destination in the heart of Abergavenny. This achievement wouldn’t have been possible without the generous support of Abergavenny Town Council, the Civic Society, some generous individuals, our dedicated volunteers, and, crucially, the Welsh Government’s Local Places for Nature funding. The funding will be pivotal in transforming a long-derelict site into a new urban green space full of potential and promise.”

The Trust is absolutely over the moon that the Welsh Government fund, Local Places for Nature, has awarded us £246,000 which will enable us to buy the land behind Gunter. We have also secured £38,000 in match funding from Abergavenny Town Council, the Civic Society and supporter donations. The funds must be used to purchase the land, clear and decontaminate the ground, implement an interim landscape scheme and improve biodiversity so the former gardens can be enjoyed by the community. This is such exciting news as the land plays a pivotal role in our efforts to restore and activate Gunter. Without it the Trust won’t be able to restore the historic building as sensitively as we would like. Subject to negotiations with the current landowners, we will purchase and transform the derelict land into an urban green space for the community with enhanced biodiversity, and reconnect the town’s heritage between Cross Street, Tithe Barn, and St Mary’s Priory. Combined with our Heritage Fund grant the land purchase investment represents a £4.5m regeneration initiative for lower Cross Street - potentially one of the largest regeneration projects the town has seen in recent years. Although this is a separate project to that of the building, the land purchase will allow us to create an extension at the rear of the house. It will enhance the accessibility of the building and give us the opportunity to install green utility options such as an air source heat-pump. We are right at the beginning of the process and conveyancing will take several months but as plans develop we'll keep you posted!

We are thrilled to announce the start of the Plas Gunter Mansion restoration project. This ambitious initiative is largely funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund and aims to transform our historic site into a vibrant business, community and visitor hub. The Trust has appointed a distinguished team of professionals to lead the project: World-renowned conservation architects, Purcell , have been appointed to head up the design team. Purcell bring experience of working on a vast range of heritage projects, large and small. The Bristol-based team impressed the trustees not only with their understanding of heritage buildings, but with their collaborative and community-centred approach. Other appointments include the Funding Centre who will support the Trust with business planning and fundraising, and Headland Design Associates who will lead on activities & audience development and interpretive design. Local marketing agency, The Media Agency will be writing our marketing communications strategy. The project's vision is to preserve the rich history of the 17th century Plas Gunter Mansion in Cross Street, Abergavenny while creating a new visitor experience driven by community engagement. The initiative includes plans for a mix of visitor centre, interpretation, and retail spaces, as well as flexible office space on the first floor. Owen Davies, Chair of the Trust, expressed his excitement: "We are embarking on a journey to not only preserve a historic landmark but to also create a meaningful and engaging space for the community. This project is a testament to what can be achieved through collaborative efforts and shared passion for heritage." Plas Gunter Mansion is grateful for the National Lottery Heritage Fund's support, and particularly to National Lottery players who have made this project possible. However, additional funds are crucial to meet the project’s goals. The Trust continues to seek donations, volunteers, and community support. Contributions, whether financial, voluntary, or through sharing the mansion’s story, are vital for the project’s success. For those interested in supporting the Plas Gunter Mansion project, please visit www.plasguntermansion.org.uk or contact our office at info@plasguntermansion.org.uk for more information on how to donate, volunteer, or spread the word. Together, we can ensure that Plas Gunter Mansion remains a cherished part of our heritage for future generations to enjoy.

“One person’s clutter is another’s treasure”, as the saying goes … well, sort of. And this was nowhere more apparent than at the auction of unwanted items to raise money for Plas Gunter Mansion (PGM) and Mind Monmouthshire in early May. The Abergavenny Ladies Business Association (ALBA) and Anna Roberts, one of our long-standing volunteers, organised the event at the King’s Arms Hotel who offered the venue free of charge. As you'll know, we've recently been awarded a development grant of £220,000 from the National Lottery Heritage Fund to start the ball rolling to conserve and transform the house into a fascinating visitor experience. The grant won't cover our everyday running costs though and the funds raised by the auction will go towards much needed regular expenses. Items donated for the sale included 3 beautiful hand-crafted patchwork throws (from Dragonfly Antiques), an antique washing bowl and potty set, a solar powered torch, several framed pictures, empty picture frames, a 70-year old Egyptian embroidered shawl, jigsaw puzzles, a lower body exerciser, handbags and as well as the more usual bric-a-brac. The big sellers of the evening were a guided tour of Rockfield Studios for 2 people, donated by Jane Wyatt and a chimney sweep, donated by The Tidy Sweep and Stove Installers, an Abergavenny-based business. ALBA also organised a raffle and the prizes were donated by local businesses and individuals: The King’s Arms; Kirsty at Headroom, Feodora Hairdressers, Chris Jones, Mary Davies, Trading Post, Pink Angels Office Services, EH Accountancy, Cooks’ Galley and Bailams & Co. At the end of the auction, attendees were invited to browse through what was left and make an offer for items. Proceeds from the night reached £1,116, 70% of which will go to Plas Gunter Mansion and the remaining 30% to Mind Monmouthshire, ALBA’s charity of the year. Any items that did not sell were taken to a charity shop in town the following day. Our Chair, Owen Davies, said: “We are so grateful for the support of ALBA at this year’s auction. The impressive sums raised will make a huge difference to the day to day running costs of Plas Gunter Mansion. “Our Heritage Lottery Funding has to be spent on very specific preparatory work for the building’s restoration, whilst the charity's running costs continue to grow. I was personally delighted to have an enjoyable evening and successfully bid for the Tidy Sweep and a few other bargains.” Event auctioneer, Anna said: “It was a win-win situation,”. “People had the chance to get rid of their clutter, raise money for a good cause and take away items that they wanted or needed more than items they’d donated. “We were astounded by how much we managed to raise from people’s unwanted items. It’s another form of community recycling!” Don't forget that Abergavenny residents and visitors can see a temporary exhibition of the history of the Plas Gunter Mansion and plans for its renovation on the ground floor of the building at 39a Cross Street in the town. Run by volunteers it is open on Tuesdays, Fridays and Saturdays from 10.30am till 4pm between March and December. ALBA (Abergavenny Ladies Business Association) meets on the first Thursday of every month at the King’s Arms.

Pick up some bargains and raise money for charity! Abergavenny Ladies’ Business Association (ALBA) is offering the the chance to get rid of your quality clutter and bid for bargains at an auction that will raise money for Plas Gunter Mansion and MIND Monmouthshire, the latter being ALBA’s charity of the year. Wednesday 1 st May 2024 Doors open 6.30pm for 7pm start (ends 9ish) King’s Arms Hotel Atrium (back) room, 29 Nevill St, Abergavenny NP7 5AA Tickets on the door: £7 (includes a glass of wine, beer or soft drink) All bargain-hunters welcome – even if you have nothing to donate - because we need buyers! 70% of proceeds to Plas Gunter Mansion* & 30% to MIND Monmouthshire The King’s Arms is kindly providing the venue for free for this charity event. Items for auction must be in good condition and full working order where applicable and things that sell well are antiques, small electricals, ornaments, jigsaws, pictures, picture frames, vouchers for services, unopened toiletries, gift sets, handbags, hats & scarves (etc). NB: no clothes, shoes or books. Drop-off points on the day (or bring along on the night): EH Accountancy: 1 Horsington’s Yard, Lion St, Abergavenny NP7 5PN King’s Arms: 29 Nevill St, Abergavenny NP7 5AA Please bring along plenty of cash! A card machine is available but this will incur charges and reduce the amount going to charity.