Please Sir I want some more
All we ever get is gruel - visitors to the Open Doors event at Y Doldd, Llanfyllin, were offered a bowl of gruel as the arrived to mark the historic building's past history as a Victorian Workhouse.
More than 500 people, a record attendance, went through the doors enticed not by the gruel, but the food fair and by a day long programme of activites.
Llanfyllin Mayor, Councillor Simon Baynes, praised the project to restore the building, saying that the development of Y Dolydd was having a positive effect on the town.
“The Llanfyllin Workhouse brings many benefits to our town. I have been involved in the Workhouse for 15 years and am proud to have made the Master’s House Appeal at the Workhouse one of my two chosen Mayor’s charities during my time in office. The hard work put in by all the organisers of this event was amazing and I am not surprised that it was such a success.”
Entry was free, but with some money still to come an estimated £700 was raised for the Master’s House Appeal to restore a central building in the complex and give an opportunity to open up the upper floors of the former workhouse.
John Hainsworth from the preservation trust said the open day included exhibitions from local artists and photographers and open craft studios.
A film, Ghosts of the workhouse, was showing in the history centre, historic tours and presentations and several community organisations were represented.
There was also music throughout the day.
Mr Hainsworth said: "There was so much going on during the day. It provided something for everyone and this explains its success. We look forward to an even bigger and better event next year.”
The Workhouse, which featured on the BBC Restoration programme has become a thriving community enterprise with fifteen workshops currently let, a 24-bed bunkhouse, a gallery and a venue as well as the Workhouse History Centre. The site is used for weddings, music events, ecological activities and horse shows. But the deteriorating condition of the Master’s House means there is an urgent need for fundraising.
