Latest News
Welcome to the latest news section where we will be posting progress on the restoration work and any other updates regarding the project, the gallery section of this site will also be updated on a regular basis.
May 2025 Updates
Dear Friends of Machstablau
It has been an exciting few months watching the work progress at the Plas Stables. Most of the slate roofing work has been done and the cupola or bellecote has been restored and painted a distinctive red. A lot of internal work has been done to repair and replace wooden support structures and lintels. The precious original stalls have been taken apart and stored.
It has also been an active few months to communicate about the project to the community and the wider world.
The A1 poster that can be seen in the Plas Foyer has been up-dated and has also been posted around various places in the Plas grounds. This was originally done for the Comedy Festival, so we hope that people will already be thinking about the Stables as accommodation for future festivals.
A Machstablau website is currently being designed and should be online in June. We also have a Facebook page (Mach Hen Stablau).
The Mural Project
The Mural Project is well underway. The murals, painted on panels, will be fixed to the walls of the old toilet block in the Plas grounds. We hope that they will be installed about mid-June. Several groups have taken worked enthusiastically to produce the murals with artists Liz Fenwick and Hannah Johns. These are Ieuenctid Machynlleth Youth, the Home Education Group, Ysgol Gynradd Bro Hyddgen, the Explorer Scouts and Cartref Dyfi.
There is a mock-up of the design for some of the walls. Themes include the horses and dogs that were housed at the Stables, the bats that used it more recently and other aspects of its architecture and history.
Liz Fenwick and Anne Marie Carty spent a day at Ysgol Gynradd Bro Hyddgen and a lot of work was done to produce colourful panels. Some pupils learnt the basic skills of filming.
Artist, Liz Fenwick and Rachel, Mural Project Coordinator, visited the care-home on a beautiful May morning and heard stories of those who worked in Y Plas in the past and their memories of rural life around Machynlleth.
Their stories of the descendants of the Londonderry family will inspire the creation of a mural panel to be situated in Y Plas grounds.
Sponsorship for the mural project has been received from Travis Perkins Builders Merchants in the form of concessionary prices on materials.
Anne Marie Carty is continuing her work on the Stables video and clips will be linked to the website.
Current tasks:
– Complete the Phase One build work
– Secure about an additional 1.8 million in funding to pay for Phase Two
– Complete and install the Mach Stables murals
Should you wish to view our business plan, and for further information, or to contribute to the project as a volunteer, please contact us: info@machstablau.org.uk
Phase One Underway!
The design for Machstablau has been the work of local architects George +Tomos, with advice from conservation architect Geraint Roberts. The building work by contractors Evans & Davies began in Autumn 2024.
Currently, in Phase One, the roof is being replaced and masonry repairs undertaken. A further Phase Two project will see the interior and other work completed.The Phase One project is funded by Cadw, Heritage Lottery and Transforming Towns.
