22 November 2005
Woodland Trust appeals for old photos of Wye Valley beauty spot
New research work seeks to uncover the picturesque past of Beaulieu Wood
The Woodland Trust (Coed Cadw), the UK’s leading woodland conservation charity, is appealing to local people in the Monmouth area to search through their drawers and cupboards for any old family photographs that could shed light on the fascinating history of how Beaulieu Wood, and neighbouring Kymin site, once formed part of an intricately planned picturesque landscape.
In the 1790s a group of wealthy friends who had become accustomed to gathering for picnics in the countryside, subscribed to build a permanent meeting place in the beautiful surroundings of the Kymin, in the Wye Valley, on land owned by the Duke and Duchess of Beaufort. The foundations of the Round Tower, or Pavilion, were laid in 1794, and the group became known as the Kymin Club.
To enhance the attractiveness of the surroundings, Thomas Swinnerton, who owned the neighbouring Beaulieu Grove, allowed this wood to be incorporated into the planned landscape, allowing paths, seats and viewing points to be created (1). In 1800 a Naval Temple was also built at the Kymin, to mark Lord Nelson’s famous victory in the Battle of the Nile. Nelson himself visited the site in 1802 during a trip to Monmouth by boat from Ross-on-Wye.
However, it appears that the use of the area by the Kymin Club may not have lasted long, and in 1811, the Cambrian Weekly Advertiser reported that:
“All the seats between the town and the hill, placed for the purpose of rest have been taken away. The sun-dial at the Naval Temple, as also the stone tables in the Beaulieu Grove are broken into pieces; and, with the seats which surround them, torn up, and thrown into the wood beneath.”
Now, in an attempt to uncover more about this romantic period in the area’s history, the Woodland Trust has commissioned Ken Murphy of Cambrian Archaeology to do a research project on both Beaulieu Wood, which now belongs to the Woodland Trust, and the Kymin, which is in the care of the National Trust.
Jon Winder, who manages the Beaulieu Wood for the Woodland Trust says: “In many ways, history has come full circle since 1790s, as both Beaulieu Woodland and the Kymin are both now in care of conservation landowners, who are working together to protect and enhance the area’s landscape and beauty, not now for a select few, but for everyone.
“To do this more effectively, we would like to discover more about the area’s picturesque past. For example, where exactly were the paths, seats and viewing areas that we know once existed? If anyone has access to any old photographs that could throw light on this, I’d be really grateful if they could contact me in the first instance, on 01600 719281 or jonwinder@woodland-trust.org.uk ”
Beaulieu Wood is located a mile to the east of Monmouth, at the end of the appropriately named Good Neighbours Lane, at grid reference SO 528 128. The Woodland Trust acquired the 16.62 ha (41.07 acre) wood in 2001 with help from the Heritage Lottery Fund and a successful local fundraising appeal. Like almost all Woodland Trust sites Beaulieu Wood is open for anyone to visit at any time, for free. It now has its own website at: www.wt-woods.org.uk/beaulieuwood This includes a whole range of information about the site and its management, including an interactive map.
For media enquiries contact:
Rory Francis (Publicity and Public Affairs Officer for Wales) on 01766 832563 or 07760 171174
Afallon, Tanygrisiau, Blaenau Ffestiniog, Gwynedd LL41 3RH
Email roryfrancis@woodland-trust.org.uk
or Jon Winder on 01600 719281
or The Woodland Trust Press Office on 01476 581121, e-mail media@woodland-trust.org.uk
Notes to editors
1. In the introduction to his descriptive account of the Kymin Heath (Heath, C., 1880) the Monmouth Printer Charles Heath pays tribute to Thomas Swinnerton, owner of Beaulieu Grove: “It would be wronging the public obligations were we to omit to mention the very liberal behaviour of Thomas Swinnerton esq. the proprietor of Beaulieu Grove in permitting the walks to be made through it, in any manner that would increase the public pleasure – which may be deemed equal, in point of interesting scenery, to any part of the surrounding grounds.”
2. Much of the historical information in this release was gleaned from a previous historical and archaeological assessment of the site, carried out in 2004 by Engineering Archaeological Services Ltd.
Coed Cadw (The Woodland Trust)
The Woodland Trust is the UK’s leading woodland conservation charity. It has 250,000 members and supporters. The Trust has four key aims: i) No further loss of ancient woodland; ii) Restoring and improving the biodiversity of woods; iii) Increasing new native woodland; iv) Increasing people’s awareness and enjoyment of woodland.
Established in 1972, the Woodland Trust now has over 1,000 sites in its care covering approximately 20,000 hectares (50,000 acres). These include over 100 sites in Wales, with a total area of 1,580 hectares (3,900 acres). It offers free public access to nearly all of its sites. Further news can be accessed via www.woodland-trust.org.uk. The Trust adopted a new Welsh language name in 2000: “Coed Cadw”. This is an old Welsh term, used in medieval laws to describe protected or preserved woodland.
The Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) enables communities to celebrate, look after and learn more about our diverse heritage. From our great museums and historic buildings to local parks and beauty spots or recording and celebrating traditions, customs and history, HLF grants open up our nation’s heritage for everyone to enjoy. We have supported more than 16,600 projects, allocating over £3.3 billion across the UK.
