Dolcoed Mill, Bontnewydd Cardiganshire

Disgrifiad

Photography in June 2000 by John Ball (with a Sony Mavica MVC-FD91 digital camera) and Venita Roylance (with a Kodak digital camera)

Dolcoed is a 300-year-old former woollen mill and weaver's cottage in the hamlet of Bontnewydd in the parish of Blaenpennal, about four miles north-west of Tregaron. The building has been refurbished and is now [2000] a cosy self-catering holiday cottage.

Image 1:

Photography by John Ball

Access to Dolcoed is gained by traversing this narrow wooden footbridge across a stream which otherwise isolates the mill from the lane.

Image 2:**

Photography by Venita Roylance

The stream and the footbridge which gives access to the old mill. The stream is called Afon Ddu (Black River).

Image 3:

Photography by John Ball

On the far side of the mill flows Afon Aeron (River Aeron) whose waters once turned the waterwheel driving the mill. The Aeron eventually flows into Cardigan Bay at Aberaeron.

Image 4:

Photography by John Ball

Dolcoed Mill as seen from the lane.

Image 5:

Photography by Venita Roylance

Separated from Dolcoed Mill by Afon Ddu is another old cottage, now (June 2000) used as a cow-shed. This detail of the end wall suggests the roof may once have been lower than at present.

Update, August 2012:

The cottage and its outbuildings were recently purchased for conversion into a habitable residence. The new owner, Lewis Richards, has kindly provided the photograph below, showing the present state of the cottage.

Image 6:

Photography by Lewis Richards, 24 July 2012, with a Blackberry 9780

Image 7:

Photography by John Ball

Image 7, 8: The lane leading to Bontnewydd. Dolcoed Mill is accessed through the gate on the left of the picture above. The barn and cow-shed are alongside the lane. The building just visible at the top of the hill (above) and through the trees on the left (below) is an old chapel.

Image 8:

Photography by Venita Roylance

Image 9:

Photography by John Ball

Capel Blaenafon Chapel at Bontnewydd.

(The chapel is also featured in my Welsh Churches and Chapels Collection)

According to local resident Mr Williams (Image 10), this Calvinistic Methodist chapel has not been used for some time, and is now (June 2000) for sale. Mr Williams's ancestors once worked at Dolcoed Mill, and lived in the adjacent cottage which he now uses as a cow-shed.

Update (April 2009): Sadly, Mr Williams is now deceased.

Image 10:

Photography by Venita Roylance

Image 11:

Photography by John Ball

Image 11, 12:

A splendid display of clematis in the hedge alongside the lane.

Image 12:

Photography by John Ball

Image 13:

Photography by John Ball

Image 13, 14:

To the east of the lane, sheep were quietly grazing. The scarred landscape is evidence of former quarrying activity. The farm cottage (below) appears to have been abandoned by all but the sheep.

Image 14:

Photography by John Ball

Image 15:

Photography by John Ball

Image 15, 16: To the west of the lane, are the wind-blown hilltops of Cardiganshire. Light drizzle has enhanced the freshly woven spiders' webs.

Image 16:

Photography by John Ball

Current status of Dolcoed Mill

In June 2000, Dolcoed Mill was advertised on the Quality Cottages website at: http://www.qualitycottages.co.uk/ In February 2011, Dolcoed Mill was advertised for sale on the RightMove.co.uk property website.

Acknowledgement Many thanks to Venita Roylance of Provo, Utah, USA, for allowing me to use some of her photographs. Venita can be contacted at [email protected] or you can visit her website at http://www.venitap.com/home.html

• http://www.jlb2011.co.uk/walespic/archive/001029.htm (link opens in new window)