Tudor mansion closes its doors for the last time

A Tudor mansion has officially closed its doors for the very last time as a result of council budget cuts.

Despite community campaigning efforts to save the building, 20 paid and 18 voluntary staff at Llancaiach Fawr living history museum, in Caerphilly county, have been let go as part of the council's plan to save £45 million over the next two years.

In a statement on Facebook, Friends of Llancaiach Fawr thanked those who had worked there for making it a special place, and for "leaving fond memories with so many people".

"Our thoughts and especially our love is with all the staff working today," it added, on Sunday.

Caerphilly council leader Sean Morgan previously said the plan was for the venue to be mothballed "for a short period of time" before new arrangements could be made.

It is said the mothballing process of Llancaiach Fawr Manor will take six to seven months and £53,000 has been set aside for the building's upkeep while it explores other options for the museum.

The museum had been restored and furnished as it would have been in 1645, offering ghost tours and activity days run by staff and volunteers.

Many community members were angered by the decision, with volunteer group Friends of Llancaich Fawr running a committed campaign to try and save the building.

Yet their efforts concluded there was no viable option to keep the building open without the council's nearly £500,000 annual subsidy.

Blackwood Miners Institute had also been under consideration for mothballing alongside the manor, with initial plans for its closure at the end of the year.

But many were disappointed with the decision, with local rock band the Manic Street Preachers getting behind the venue, as well as a 'Save the Stute' march and petition, which gained more than 1,000 signatures in the first 24 hours.

In December, it was announced a successful application for funding from the Arts Council for Wales would enable the cultural venue to stay open until March 2026.