THE Prince of Wales paid a visit to Strata Florida during his flying visit to the region on Friday.

Prince Charles travelled to Strata Florida to officially open the Arddangosfa Mynachlog Fawr Exhibition.

The grade II listed Ty Pair (cauldron house) and cartshed buildings have been converted into the Arddangosfa Mynachlog Fawr Exhibition, through funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund, World Monuments Fund, Sacred Landscapes of Medieval Monasteries Project funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council. The doors first opened to the public on 31 July 2021, and since then the exhibition has received over 2,000 visitors.

In the exhibition, visitors can experience a rare insight into the lives of the people who lived and worked on the farm, through exploring a collection of personal objects and documents found in the farmhouse and farm buildings. Among the exhibits are tools which show the hard manual work on the farm before electricity, and letters and documents which tell the story of the Arch family, the last family to live and work on the farm. The farmhouse has not been lived in since the 1990s.

The items on show include peat cutters used to harvest a fuel once common in the area, a mangle used by the Arch family to squeeze water out of clothes and sheets on wash day before being hung out to dry, an 1896 cheese press restored to its former glory, school slates used by children for handwriting practise in the 19th century and early 20th century, a local Eisteddfod chair won by Dafydd Jones in the Pontrhydfendigaid local eisteddfod in 1943, beautiful leather side saddles from an era when women riding astride horses was seen as immodest; and even a US training grenade used when troops were based near Strata Florida during World War II.

His Royal Highness was introduced to the staff who had worked on the project, before meeting the tradesmen and contractors who had undertaken the building restorations and volunteers who run the exhibition. His Royal Highness explored the exhibition, and the objects displayed telling the history of the farm. His Royal Highness then entered the Beudy, which was restored in 2019 and is now used as the Trust’s offices and community space. Here His Royal Highness met with Trustees, funders and partners of the Trust. His Royal Highness was presented with a hamper by Mick Taylor, of local produce prepared by Siop y Bont.

His Royal Highness and the guests then proceeded outside to the newly restored gambo, a traditional Welsh cart, for the unveiling of the plaque to commemorate the Official Opening. The Gambo was built with two wheels and a low platform to suit the narrow lanes of Ceredigion and the constricted entrances to fields. It was restored by Nathan Goss Conservation with funding from the Wales Cultural Recovery Fund.

As well as welcoming His Royal Highness, the event gave the Trust the opportunity to thank the project funders, tradesmen, volunteers and trustees, who had made the project possible.

Andrew White, Director of The National Lottery Heritage Fund in Wales said: “Thanks to National Lottery players, one of the most important and historic landmarks in Wales has been preserved and bought to life again for today’s and for future generations. This investment will help create jobs, support economic growth, drive tourism and boost local pride in this incredible piece of Welsh heritage.”

Andrew Green the Chairman of the Strata Florida Trust, said: “The event was a chance to thank the funders, workers and volunteers who contributed to the restoration of T? Pair, another step in our effort to bring new life to an ancient place. We aim to restore all the buildings of Mynachlog Fawr and use them as a home for a Strata Florida Centre. Here visitors will be able to learn about heritage and conservation, environmental management and practice, and the Welsh language and culture that was so central both to the medieval abbey and to the later farm.”

HRH’s visit to Strata Florida was part of a series of visits across Wales, including Aberystwyth University’s new School of Veterinary Science, Hafod Hardware Store in Rhayader, Abbey Cwmhir, and a reception to celebrate PRIME Cymru’s 20th year, at the Metropole Hotel in Llandrindod Wells.

The Arddangosfa Mynachlog Fawr Exhibition is open Wednesday - Saturday 10am - 4pm, and is free to enter. It is accessible for wheelchair users and for pushchairs.