Plas Newydd, Llangollen: Gentleman Jack Costume Exhibit
1 April 2023 - 1 October 2023
10am - 4pm
Plas Newydd Historic House, home to the inspirational ‘Ladies of Llangollen’ is proud to present an exhibition of costumes from the BBC One TV Series ‘Gentleman Jack’.
About the Exhibition
The exhibition will showcase costumes from BBC’s historical drama ‘Gentleman Jack’. Written by Sally Wainwright, the series tells the story of Anne Lister (1791 – 1840) of Shibden Hall and of her relationships with both family, in business and local landowner Ann Walker (1803-1853). Designed by Tom Pye and created by Cosprop Ltd, the costumes can be viewed throughout Plas Newydd Historic House, in the first exhibition of costume ever to be seen inside the house.
Anne Lister and the Ladies of Llangollen
In 1780, Lady Eleanor Butler and Miss Sarah Ponsonby, known as ‘The Ladies of Llangollen’ removed themselves from the aristocratic life laid out for them to set up home together at Plas Newydd. Referring to each other as ‘beloved’ they spent over 50 years devoted to each other, while converting their home into a Gothicised romantic retreat, and the gardens into a haven of practical peace and tranquillity. They fascinated their contemporaries and became celebrated for their lifestyle, welcoming many famous people of the period to their home.
‘’I am interested about these 2 ladies very much. There is something in their story and in all I have heard about them here that… makes a deep impression’’.
Anne Lister, July 1822
One of the visitors to Plas Newydd was Anne Lister (Gentleman Jack), a landowner, business woman, adventurous traveller and lesbian. Like the Ladies, Anne did not conform to society’s expectation of a woman at the time and was greatly inspired by the life and home they had created together.
Visiting
The exhibition will be installed for viewing at Plas Newydd Historic House and Gardens, from 1 April - 1 October 2023. Plas Newydd is open to the public every day from 10am - 4pm throughout the 2023 season.
The costume exhibition is included with entry to Plas Newydd Historic House.
For more information, please e-mail: plasnewydd@denbighshire.gov.uk
A successful AONB Champions Meeting was hosted at Llysfasi Agricultural college
The Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) is currently seeking further Champions to represent their Town or Community Council that falls within the AONB in order to improve communications and collaboration across the whole of AONB.
A forum was held in March at the Community Hwb Llysfasi for the AONB Champions, Town and Community Councils and Local Members where Councillors were able to learn more about the opportunity and some of the work we are undertaking in the AONB, including:
- An overview of the AONB, Introduction to the AONB and our thoughts on the National Park for Northeast Wales
- The excellent Dark Sky Programme and how everyone can play a part in helping our wildlife
- Our Picturesque Landscape Project and the historical and landscape projects it has been engaged in
- The dramatic Moorland Wildfire Project and how with more thought we can conserve our uplands with the wonderful traditional methods of farming the little know method of farming the heft!
The Forum was well received, and another will be planned later in the year.
Dan Rose a Flintshire County Councillor and member of the AONB Partnership, said: “I enjoy being part of the work of the AONB it brings so many aspects together that are interesting and also relevant, tonight a simple thing we learnt was the method of building of the Dinas Bran Castle and other historical features we can see in our landscape of today.”
Become a volunteer ranger
The Clwydian Range and Dee Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty are looking for Volunteer Rangers who would like to help take care of the area it covers and inspire others about the land.
By taking the volunteer role, you can become an ambassador for the AONB, share your love and knowledge of the area, inspire local people and visitors alike and help take care of this special place.
Volunteer Rangers will be uniformed and can expect to start out by being based within busier areas of the AONB such as Loggerheads and Moel Famau Country Parks.
They will meet and engage with members of the public sharing information and answering questions, walking popular routes well-used by visitors.
As this is a new programme, volunteers will be expected to commit to at least a couple of days a month, either on weekends or during the week.
Cllr Win-Mullen James, Lead Member for Local Development and Planning, said: “This is a fantastic role for people who love the outdoors and nature, enjoy meeting new people, being out and about in the fresh air, and who want to learn new skills.”
“Those that become Volunteer Rangers will also get to spend time with the amazing team we have and above all be able to soak in some of the most spectacular landscapes in the country.”
If you are 18 and over, able to travel and interested in joining us please contact Ceri Lloyd via email ceri.lloyd@denbighshire.gov.uk or phone 01824712757.
National Grid receive the Clwydian Range & Dee Valley AONB Award for their support to enhance the environment of the AONB
The Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) make an award every year to a community, individual or business that have made an outstanding contribution to the landscape of the AONB and the AONB were delighted that this year the award was recognising the work of National Grid for their support of the ‘Lost Landscapes’ project, funded through their Landscape Enhancement Initiative scheme, which has helped to restore some key features of the AONB.
AONB Project Officer, Ruth Calcraft explained that the project, which began in March 2018, had strengthened the visual character of the landscape through hedge restoration and planting, the reviving of old ponds, rebuilding drystone walls, scrub removal and woodland planting.
The project has also supported important habitats for wildlife including helping wildflowers to thrive on roadside nature reserves and carrying out management work on heather moorland to benefit rare species such as the black grouse. In addition, access work to increase visitor enjoyment of the area had been completed including work to improve views from the Offa’s Dyke path above Tremeirchion and the installation of new gates to replace stiles on two footpaths.
Following the presentation which was held at Llandegla Community run Shop and café (which is just off the Offa’s Dyke Path and is a welcome break for walkers), a site visit was completed to Plas yn Iâl Historic Park and Garden, a key landmark in the Morwynion Valley where Huw and Bethan Beech showcased some of the work that had been completed via the project including new parkland fencing, hedge laying, the removal of invasive non-native rhododendron, specialist tree surgery to help pro long the life of selected veteran trees and the parkland planting of oak trees.
AONB Officer, Howard Sutcliffe said “From Caer Drewyn, Corwen to Minera, and the heart of the Morwynion Valley, the work carried out on the Lost Landscapes project with support from the Landscape Enhancement Initiative has already begun to have a significant positive impact within the AONB.
On receiving the award Michelle Clark from National Grid, said that “Working collaboratively with stakeholders is vital to our way of working at National Grid. The effective early engagement and collaboration with stakeholders championed by the Visual Impact Provision projects, of which the Landscape Enhancement Initiative forms a part, have helped to make a positive contribution to enhancing the natural beauty, biodiversity and cultural heritage within some of our most precious landscapes. We are now seeking to roll out lessons learned from the approach to collaborative working we’ve taken through these projects more widely across our business.”
Chair of the AONB Joint Committee, Flintshire County Councillor, Dave Hughes said that It’s been fantastic to see the AONB and project partners, volunteers and landowners all working together to help safeguard the character of these spectacular and treasured landscapes for generations to come.”
Councillor Emrys Wynne and AONB Joint Committee Member, said: “The Lost Landscapes Project supported by Landscape Enhancement Initiative scheme has been fantastic in really inspiring people and landowners to pick up the baton to help restore and enhance beautiful areas that surround our communities. It has been heart-warming to hear of this brilliant work to protect and support our landscapes into the future.
Chris Baines, Chair of the Visual Impact Provision Stakeholder Advisory Group said “One of the most exciting outcomes of the Landscape Enhancement Initiative has been the way that it has inspired local people to get involved and enormous credit should be given to those farmers and landowners who live in and deeply love this landscape. Collective action from those who know and understand the landscape of the Clwydian Range and Dee Valley AONB means that we’re now seeing enhancements on a truly landscape scale. It is inspiring to see the success of communities coming together to effect great change. The whole Visual Impact Provision project of which LEI is part has been transformational, something acknowledged only last month in a personal letter from Sir David Attenborough praising our work with willow tit in the eastern Peak District.”
Partners: Denbighshire County Council, Flintshire County Council, Wrexham County Borough Council, Natural Resources Wales, the RSPB, North Wales Wildlife Trust and Farming & Forestry Wildlife Advisory Group. (FFWAG) together with local landowners are all helping to play a crucial role in the project. Llandegla Community shop & café.
Left to right Chair of the AONB Joint Committee, Flintshire Councillor, Councillor Dave Hughes, Ben Smith, National Grid lead for the Landscape Enhancement Initiative, Howard Sutcliffe, AONB Officer, Michelle Clark, VIP Project Manager National Grid, Zac Richardson, National Grid’s senior representative on the VIP SAG, member of the AONB Joint Committee Denbighshire County Councillor, Councillor Emrys Wynne,
Chris Baines, Chair of the Visual Impact Provision Stakeholder Advisory Group