Tragedy of a home forgotten over time
With its old photographs, faded clothes that were last worn many years ago, dusty jars of chemicals and framed examination certificates, a manor house on the county border appears to have been frozen in time.
"Red Dress Manor", as it has become known, has fallen into disrepair since its owner died 40 years ago.
But signs of Ellen Jones's life remain throughout the property, near Llandysilio.
There is a picture taken many years ago of Ellen in a red dress – a dress which still hangs in a wardrobe, and which has given the manor house its unofficial name.
The rest of the home, which was built in 1725, is a dishevelled mess of 1960s clothing, a vintage car, certificates and documents.
According to reports, Census records show Ms Jones died in the early 1970s and her home became a forgotten relic, with her belongs exactly as she left them.
Councillor Dilys Gaskill, chairman of the Pant and Llanymynech Parish Council, said the images were eye-catching.
She said: "I think local people would be hugely intrigued by the photographs. I don't know much about the hall and I don't know the background but there must be an interesting story attached to this property.
"It is in a pretty remote area and it is all a bit of a mystery over why the house has been left the way it has."
Charlotte Hopkinson, a 34-year-old mother of two and child minder, who lives at Four Crosses, said: "I have come across the hall a few times over the years while out and about on walks. I have never known it to be occupied and I have never seen anyone near it.
"It is very eerie and seeing these pictures makes it even more so, now I know what is inside."
Councillor Arwel Jones, county councillor for Four Crosses, added: "It has been completely abandoned for as long as I can remember and I think a relative of the original owner had also died so I don't know who would be responsible for it."
John Evans, Powys County Council spokesman, said the authority was aware of the property and said it was placed on a listed buildings at risk register as recently as November 2012.
