FUNDING for an iconic Powys building has “quite literally” saved it, according to the trust that manages it.
The Judge’s Lodging in Presteigne has recently been awarded £187,000 in funding by the UK Government, to preserve it as a community asset.
Since taking over the management of the building seven years ago, the Judge's Lodging Trust has had to come up with £100,000 each year to keep it going.
Once a court that heard trials from across Radnorshire, complete with a gaol, as well as being a lodging house where visiting judges stayed, it has been a museum since 1997.
The funding – courtesy of the UK Government’s Community Ownership Fund, which supports treasured institutions like pubs, museums and sports clubs so that they can be run by the community, for the community – will be used to convert the Grade II-listed building’s first floor into two holiday lets.
“I don’t think it’s an understatement to say the funding has quite literally saved this building,” said Diane Gwilt, chair of the Judge's Lodging Trust.
“Because, without being able to generate the income stream, it’s very hard to see how organisations like this, in a place like Presteigne, can be financially viable.”
Built in 1824, the Judge’s Lodging is still a huge part of the town’s street scape. Operated as museum and visitor attraction for the last quarter of a century, it was originally subsidised by Powys County Council, but after funding was withdrawn in 2016 it became an independent trust.
“Since then we have had to be entirely dependent on money we make ourselves,” said Diane.
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“We make 50 per of our money through ticket sales, events and the tea rooms. We need £100,000 a year, and we only have one full-time member of staff.
“The rest are volunteers, who are fellow trustees. It’s a huge amount of work to find £50,000 each year.”
The money will also be used to introduce a café on the ground floor, improve disabled access to the garden at the back of the building and add parking spaces and extra room outdoors.
“With a bit of luck we will be available to let in October 2024,” added Diane.
“Hopefully this will provide the financial stability and sustainability the organisation needs to provide more local projects with schools and more volunteering opportunities.”
Secretary of State for Wales, David TC Davies, was given a tour of the vast building on Thursday, September 28. He was invited by Brecon and Radnorshire MP Fay Jones and said the visit was like stepping back in time.
“It was great to come here along with the local MP, Fay Jones. This is a fantastic project put together by volunteers,” he said.
“The project itself has blown me away. This is a living museum. It’s like walking back in time 100 years and seeing how people lived.
“It was striking walking past the paraffin lamps as my grandmother used to have them before electricity, so it took me back to the 1970s.”
Many in Mid Wales feel the area is often overlooked and underfunded, but Mr Davies says there is scope for more Powys projects to flourish.
“I want to see as much money coming into Wales as possible,” he said.
“There is money there for community ownership funds for projects that are well put together and have local support.
“This is one of them. It’s a tremendously positive project and I’m delighted the UK Government were able to help.
“Of course, if we get more rounds of funding and people working together locally, more funding is possible.”
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