Blue Plaques adorn Llantwit Major landmarks - 06/02/07

 

Six Llantwit Major landmarks are now adorned with blue plaques that commemorate buildings steeped in historical interest.

 

The Town Hall, The Old White Hart, The Gatehouse (Tewksbury Abbey Grange), Knolles Place (The Old Presbytery), The Old Swan and The Great House now all have inscriptions set in a blue circular background underneath the Llantwit Major Coat of Arms.

 

The Vale of Glamorgan Council funded the plaques, while the Llantwit Major History Society undertook the research for each inscription.

 

Cllr Gwyn John, Cabinet Member for Leisure and Tourism, said: “The plaques should have plenty of benefits and uses that include helping to generate local pride and increase the profile of Llantwit Major.”

 

Ward Member for Llantwit Major, Cllr Eric Hacker, added: “The plaques will raise the awareness of historical matters and are set to engage and educate people of all ages with a snap shot of clear and informative facts.”

 

The Town Hall's insightful inscription reads: “The Town Hall was a Norman Manorial Courthouse for the holding of Courts left (Tenants) and Baron (Freeholders) for the Manor of Boverton and Llantwit Major. It was rebuilt under the Lordship of Jasper Tudor 1485 – 95; became a Guildhall in the time of Henry VIII, then the bailiff’s house. It was then leased in part to the St. Illtyds Lodge of the oddfellows society in 1845 and taken over by the first Parish Council in 1894.”

 

The Vale of Glamorgan Council’s Tourism Marketing Manager, Claire Evans, said: “The five other landmark buildings in Llantwit Major equally all have interesting descriptions that instantly let a resident or visitor to the area know some of the secrets of the past.”

 

To speak to Claire or to request a full colour 'Glamorgan Heritage and Coastline 2007 brochure' that includes most of the delights the Vale of Glamorgan has to offer, call 01446 709328.