Velindre in its Prime

When do you think you’ll be in your prime? If you’re honest, you might say that your prime years are still ahead (not many would volunteer that their best has passed them by already!)

Is this the same with a house? You might like DIY, forever pottering around with paint and wallpaper, catching up with repairs, or you might have plans for a makeover or even an extension. And what about the gardens?

I believe Velindre was a bit like that, so it might be difficult to identify exactly when it was in it’s ‘prime’. In previous blogs we’ve looked at how Velindre developed from a traditional Welsh longhouse into a smart residence for the Quaker ironmasters, and then into something of a grand house for the newlywed couple of TW Booker and his wife Jane by 1820

It's difficult to understand how the house might have developed over many decades, when there are no plans, images or even photographs. All that seems to be available are hints from the tithe map of 1840 and the OS maps of 1880 and 1900

By the time the Bookers moved in, the house had been already substantially rebuilt, and then further remodelled. By 1840, stables had been added at the rear, kitchen and servants’ wings provided, and then the ‘old’ house with a new carriage entrance to the west front

Over the next 40 years, Velindre grew even more into a glittering pile, with even more remodelling. New elevations reflecting the changing styles had been provided, and totally redesigned interiors reflecting the latest technologies

There is a super book called ‘Das Engliche Haus’ published in 1904 which describes wonderfully the style and interiors of grand houses in the UK in the later Victorian times and what facilities they might have had. This provides some great clues about Velindre at that time

We are told that by the 1860s, even the lowliest of grand houses would have had a magnificent hallway, a grand dining room and a ‘withdrawing’ room for the ladies, and a billiards room. A ‘morning’ room would be located to enjoy the early light, and a ‘library/study’ provided for the owner to deal with his important affairs (the head was almost always a man in those days!). The family bedrooms were large with separate dressing rooms for husband and wife. Of course, at this time, there were no ‘facilities’ so discreet pots and chambers would have to be provided in special curtained corners and cupboards, to be emptied and replaced regularly during the day. Every one of the large rooms would have been heated by coal fires, and the live-in servants would have been constantly tending to them

The OS map of 1880 shows Velindre had grown, with an even bigger footprint and yet another revised entrance. The ground floor rooms seem to have been completely remodelled to reflect the latest styles, and the first floor, via a very grand staircase, would have provided bedrooms for the Bookers (with a separate wing of children’s rooms and nursery). Staff accommodation would have been located within attics and adjacent to the service areas. The kitchens would have looked very much like those at Tredegar House, with open ovens and the like, and with water still drawn from the well adjacent

Jan Hughes has managed to find an incredibly grainy photograph of Velindre, showing what the house might have looked like (just before its final demolition). Based on this photograph, the sketch below attempts to show Velindre at its sparkling best. It shows the house with a series of tall Georgian-proportioned windows and bays looking south and west, with the hint of a grand glazed lantern-light over the staircase beyond. You can also see the numerous chimneys on the slated roofs. The house sits in landscaped grounds and visitors are delivered at the entrance, now located on the south face

Between 1860 and 1880, Velindre and its gardens had been transformed into a pleasure palace. The driveway had been extended from a new gatehouse cottage (the only bit of Velindre still in existence) finishing with a swept flourish at the house. The grounds around the house would have been densely planted. Whilst Velindre has been long gone, many of the garden trees planted at the time still exist

The gardens around the house would have been very special and designed for promenading. The OS map shows long borders flanking the lawns (which would have been immaculate). We know that the extensive greenhouses beyond were heated in winter, to provide pineapples and other exotic fruit for the table

TW Booker Blakemore MP had died in 1858 and afterwards, Velindre was occupied by his son TW Booker (junior) and his family. He was far more of a harsh Victorian Ironmaster than his father, and his attitude to servants and workers at the tinplate works was very different. He was more feared than loved. He clearly loved the glittering life, but at no cost to himself

We’ll need to look again at the demise of the Booker empire after 1880

In the meantime, does anyone have any knowledge of Velindre House and the servants during its glittering prime? We’d love to hear

 

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