Plan to Restore Historic Cottage

Image by Clker-free-vector-images at Pixabay

Maenclochog Community Council has plans to restore Penrhos Cottage, built in the early 1800s, and has called a public meeting in the Community Hall on Thursday 2 November at 7pm.

The thatched cottage was built following ‘ty un nos’ tradition. Although there seems to be no actual status in common law, the tradition between the 17th and the 19th centuries when land enclosures and taxation made many people homeless, was that if a house could be raised overnight (a one-night house) on waste or common land, the builder could claim freehold rights.,

This would seem to be the case with Penrhos Cottage which was later rebuilt in stone. It was occupied for many years until the sisters who lived there left it in the mid-1960s.

Local concerns have been raised that the property, at one time thought destined to be a museum, after renovation, needs urgent attention.

Apparently, following a visit by Pembrokeshire County Council’s museum collection officer, Cait Hilditch, and members of the local council, the old house was found to be in remarkable good order considering it has been empty for over 40 years. The thatch was replaced a few years ago, and some issues with a window and the need for re-liming look necessary; and as it is a listed building, traditional methods of bringing the cottage into the best possible shape will be needed.

The public meeting is to discuss how best to proceed and to seek support from local craftspeople and other volunteers.