Notes on MAESGWYNNE SERVICE QUARTERS, Llanboidy, Carmarthenshire 2001

I parked my car and walked down the towards the house - large barns still stood and as i walked towards the house, dogs barked aggressively - as any dog whose territory is threatened - from the barns. I expected to be questioned why i was walking through but was not approached.

I had imagined how Maesgwynne would look. I knew it was derelict and had seen a small photograph in 'The Lost Houses of Wales'. I pictured a moderately large house, not dissimilar in size to Llanerchaeron near to Aberaeron, which would, in my imagination, would be roofless and all but obscured with roof-high foliage, brambles and nettles. Unfortunately I found various vehicles, diggers, caravans and a crater in the ground. I didn’t want to believe that this crater was what was once a fine looking country house. But no amount of disbelieve can rebuild stone and mortar and Maesgwynne had indeed, unlisted, been demolished.

Last year I was kindly sent some images from someone who had visited Maesgwynne, and many of the other mansions I had also visited, when it still stood, derelict – although not covered in foliage as my reverie had conjured but show a roofless shell with a large porch entrance. The interior was a mass of stone and wood. There was something about Maesgwynne that fascinates. It’s location and its modest size makes one feel that living at this sight would have been a pleasurable experience. The photograph here shows the symetrical barn - an image quickly taken due to a sheep dog barking constantly whilst i was there.

Maesgynne Service Quarters (now demolished), house also demolished.