Broneirion
Encyclopedia
Broneirion is a Victorian house
and grounds on the hillside across the River Severn from the village of Llandinam
. It was built by Welsh industrialist David Davies
. It has been used as a training centre for Girl Guides
since 1946 and has been owned by Girlguiding Cymru since 1992.
The house is built in the italianate
style and is set in four and a half acres. The roof is Welsh slate. In November 1996, Broneirion House, Coach House, and the Lodge all became Grade II listed buildings. The bridge from the main road towards Broneirion was the first iron bridge constructed in Montgomeryshire
, designed by Thomas Penson
and built by Davies. It spans 90 feet (27.5 m).
school, which needed a new home due to World War II
.
Broneirion became the Welsh Training Centre for the Girl Guide Association in 1946 and was opened by the World Chief Guide, Olave Baden-Powell
, in 1947. In 1992 it became the property of Girlguiding Cymru
after a campaign that raised £510000 for the purchase and an endowment fund. At the same time, a much-needed campsite was purchased close to the house and named Cae Gwenllian. In 1995, the opportunity unexpectedly arose to buy Broneirion Lodge, on the property boundary. Both the house and grounds are used for training and camping activities, and the site is used by Guides, other organisations and private groups. The Brownie house, originally the Davies children's summer house
is now a Pack Holiday facility.
Victorian house
In the United Kingdom, and former British colonies, a Victorian house generally means any house built during the reign of Queen Victoria...
and grounds on the hillside across the River Severn from the village of Llandinam
Llandinam
Llandinam is village in Powys, central Wales, between Newtown and Llanidloes, located on the A470.Llandinam was the family home of David Davies who was responsible for much of the development of the South Wales Valleys and the export of coal in the 19th century...
. It was built by Welsh industrialist David Davies
David Davies (industrialist)
David Davies was a Welsh industrialist and Liberal politician who sat in the House of Commons between 1874 and 1886. Davies was often known as David Davies Llandinam , in order to differentiate him from others of the same name.Davies was the son of David Davies and his wife Elizabeth...
. It has been used as a training centre for Girl Guides
Girl Guides
A Guide, Girl Guide or Girl Scout is a member of a section of some Guiding organisations who is between the ages of 10 and 14. Age limits are different in each organisation. It is the female-centred equivalent of the Scouts. The term Girl Scout is used in the United States and several East Asian...
since 1946 and has been owned by Girlguiding Cymru since 1992.
The house is built in the italianate
Italianate architecture
The Italianate style of architecture was a distinct 19th-century phase in the history of Classical architecture. In the Italianate style, the models and architectural vocabulary of 16th-century Italian Renaissance architecture, which had served as inspiration for both Palladianism and...
style and is set in four and a half acres. The roof is Welsh slate. In November 1996, Broneirion House, Coach House, and the Lodge all became Grade II listed buildings. The bridge from the main road towards Broneirion was the first iron bridge constructed in Montgomeryshire
Montgomeryshire
Montgomeryshire, also known as Maldwyn is one of thirteen historic counties and a former administrative county of Wales. Montgomeryshire is still used as a vice-county for wildlife recording...
, designed by Thomas Penson
Thomas Penson
Thomas Penson was the County Surveyor of Montgomeryshire from 1817, and designer of a number of masonry arch bridges over the River Severn and elsewhere....
and built by Davies. It spans 90 feet (27.5 m).
Wartime school
In 1940, Davies, by then Lord Davies, offered use of the house to GordonstounGordonstoun
Gordonstoun School is a co-educational independent school for boarding and day pupils in Moray in North East Scotland. Named after the estate originally owned by Sir Robert Gordon in the 1600s, the school now uses this estate as its campus...
school, which needed a new home due to World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
.
Guiding Centre
David Davies and his son, Edward, both died in 1944. Edward's widow, Lady Davies, was a supporter of Guiding. Her friend, Heather Kay was enthusiastic for a training centre for Welsh Guides, so Lady Davies offered Broneirion for this purpose.Broneirion became the Welsh Training Centre for the Girl Guide Association in 1946 and was opened by the World Chief Guide, Olave Baden-Powell
Olave Baden-Powell
Olave St Clair Baden-Powell, Baroness Baden-Powell, GBE was born Olave St Clair Soames in Chesterfield, England...
, in 1947. In 1992 it became the property of Girlguiding Cymru
Girlguiding Cymru
Girlguiding Cymru is one of the nine regions of Girlguiding UK. It serves the approximate area of Wales, although the boundaries are not exact. In 2004, there were 6,964 youth participant groups....
after a campaign that raised £510000 for the purchase and an endowment fund. At the same time, a much-needed campsite was purchased close to the house and named Cae Gwenllian. In 1995, the opportunity unexpectedly arose to buy Broneirion Lodge, on the property boundary. Both the house and grounds are used for training and camping activities, and the site is used by Guides, other organisations and private groups. The Brownie house, originally the Davies children's summer house
Summer house
A summer house or summerhouse has traditionally referred to a building or shelter used for relaxation in warm weather. This would often take the form of a small, roofed building on the grounds of a larger one, but could also be built in a garden or park, often designed to provide cool shady places...
is now a Pack Holiday facility.