Anglesey’s heritage is in safe hands
Menter Mon is the body that promotes the unique heritage of Anglesey – or Ynys Mon – as an underutilised resource. It operates out of the Grade Two-listed former Town Hall in Llangefni, now a Social Enterprise Centre, which was officially opened in February following an extensive restoration programme led by Menter Mon.
Established in 1997, one of its first tasks was to provide information and interpretation at a large number of the island’s settlements, followed in 2003 by the commissioning of a comprehensive report – in collaboration with the then WDA and the Isle of Anglesey County Council – on the island’s heritage and the opportunities it provided for targeted investment. That report, produced has become the backbone of the islands strategy for investing in improvements to and interpretation of the island’s heritage.
In 2001 Menter Mon provided significant support for the utilisation of one of the islands internationally significant heritage sites at Llys Rhosyr. The site – a llys or royal palace of the native Welsh princes dating from the 13th century – was seen by representatives of the community as a significant cultural asset.
Ty-Mawr Ecological Building Products
In 1993 Nigel and Joyce Gervis, founders and directors of Tŷ-Mawr Lime, purchased Tŷ-Mawr, a run-down farm in the heart of the Brecon Beacons National Park.
As well as becoming the couple’s family home (and a life-time’s restoration project!), this listed property also proved to be the inspiration for their business Tŷ-Mawr Lime Ltd.
For more information visit www.lime.org.uk
Advent Project Management Ltd
Advent Project Management Ltd, with it's Head Office in Bangor, North Wales, has rapidly developed a reputation for being a client-focused and commercially-aware business that delivers a professional and diverse service throughout North Wales and the North West of England. The Company were Project Managers on the Llangefni Town Hall project for Menter Mon and also offer project and cost management services as well as quantity surveyors, dispute resolution consultants and CDM Co-ordinators.
Further information on the company is available on their website at www.adventpm.co.uk
Aberlleiniog Castle
The castle has become known as Anglesey’s hidden castle following its acquisition and conservation by Menter Mon. It is a very fine example of a motte and bailey castle of the late 11th century.
Today the castle sits in a Local Nature Reserve, is linked to the costal path and valued an important recreational asset for the local community. It is actively managed and forms an important addition to the managed habitat of the island.
Saint Dwynwen’s Church
Saint Dwynwen’s Church, on Anglesey is a scheduled ancient monument.
Perhaps more interestingly and topically – Saint Dwynwen is the patron Saint of Lovers.
The church and the nearby well have attracted such love filled pilgrimages for centuries.
Grosvenor were contracted (in collaboration with Mentor Mon, CADW and the Countryside Council for Wales) to make sure that happy couples of all persuasion, under the eye of the patron Saint of Lovers, can gain solace for centuries to come.
Grosvener were proud to announce that their project: the Visitor Centre at Denbigh Castle has won the LABC All Wales Award for the best commercial development.
For more information visit their website at www.grosvenorconstruction.co.uk
Amlwch and Parys Mountain
The Amlwch Industrial Heritage Trust was established in 1997 to research and promote the preservation of the industrial remains of the copper industry of the late 18th and 19th centuries that had flourished at Amlwch.
The trust has worked with Menter Mon to establish a centre at the Sail Loft in Porth Amlwch. It has also established heritage trails at the port and at Mynydd Parys.
The Copper Bins
Having acquired ownership of the underutilised and redundant Grade Two-listed buildings associated with the historic port, Menter Mon set about raising funds to reuse the Copper Bins as a heritage centre, working with conservation architects Donald Insall Associates.
The building project came in very close to the original estimates and was opened by the Welsh Government Minister for Housing and Regeneration Huw Lewis in June 2012.
Mona Antiqua Heritage Tourism Project
Cadw, the lead body on the Heritage Tourism Project, has recognised Menter Mon as a strategic partner in the delivery of the Anglesey Mona Antiqua strategy. It will see the creation of a new and innovative website using social media and utilising the latest thinking on the use of the web in collaboration with the Bangor University KESS project.
The project has also had an events programme aimed at encouraging a wider distribution of visitors across the island’s heritage sites. Menter Mon is also project managing a separate strand on behalf of Cadw to interpret the island’s significant prehistoric monuments, in particular the interpretation of the Neolithic tombs such as Bryn Celli Ddu and Barclodiad y Gawres.
Marion Blockley Heritage Management
Conservation Management Plans, Historical Research, Interpretation Planning and Implementation, Activity and Visitor Experience Plans, Digital Media and Mentoring Community Groups.
We are lucky enough to have worked on a range of fascinating sites with organisations in Wales including: Anglesey Prehistoric Monuments; Mona Antiqua Interpretation Strategy; Aberlleiniog Castle; Newborough Warren National Nature Reserve; Porth Amlwch and Parys Mountain; Wye Valley AONB; Pontcysyllte Aqueduct World Heritage Site; National Museums and Galleries of Wales and Clwyd Powys Archaeological Trust.
For further details visit our website www.marionblockley.co.uk, or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
WM Design and Architecture Ltd
One company which has a broad experience of heritage and restoration projects in Anglesey and Gwynedd is WM Design and Architecture Ltd. They are a small practice and their works include, Listed Building advice, barn conversions and ecclesiastical works.
The practice's portfolio of domestic and commercial projects demonstrates their ability to use modern materials in sympathy with the local environment and to create projects that may stand out or blend, but which are always unique, successful and pleasing within their context.
Further information on the company is available on their website at www.wmdesign.co.uk
Cambrian Ecological Partnership
Harlech based Cambrian Ecological Partnership (CEP) is a collaboration between 3 ecological consultancies, enabling us to offer a one-stop shop for all of your ecological requirements, whatever the scale.
The partnership have experience of species and activities not requiring licences such as reptiles, breeding birds and Phase I and II Habitat Surveys. Cambrian Ecological Partnership also works with a number of carefully chosen associates who are all considered experts in their field.
For more information visit their website at www.cambrianecology.com
For further information on Anglesey's heritage please visit www.mentermon.com and www.angleseyheritage.co.uk