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The Hafod Trust

IN the late 18th century, the Hafod Estate of Thomas Johnes became an essential destination for tourists in search of the picturesque, renowned artists among them.

Many of these recorded what they had seen and enjoyed on the wonderful walks Johnes had created in his designed landscape, in drawings and paintings.

These ranged from sketches in private diaries to accomplished works for use as illustrations.

After many years of restoration by the Hafod Trust in partnership with Natural Resources Wales, many of the views and walks can once again be enjoyed by visitors.

In 2017, two graduate alumni of the Royal Drawing School, spent a very successful fortnight in residency on the estate, and in September, the Hafod Trust was again delighted to be able to give the same opportunity to two others.

They vividly captured the landscape in a variety of paintings and drawings as did their predecessors over 200 years ago.

The Hafod Church was built by Thomas Johnes, and is the only remaining major structure of Johnes’s Hafod, and houses the finest collection of Renaissance stained glass in Wales.

It has played an integral role in the life of the estate ever since and the ongoing partnership between the church and the trust is now seen as being of particular importance in the promotion of information about Hafod.

Thus the two alumni were accommodated in the trust’s holiday cottage in the heart of the estate and the Parochial Church Council of the church kindly made available Ysgoldy Goch, the church hall, for use as their studio.

Last Thursday, 27 September, the trust and the church organised a public open day, and people were able to view and discuss the alumni’s work.

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