Second well house restoration unveiled

THE second well house restoration at Cross Ash spearheaded by The Village Alive Trust was unveiled at an open day on Easter Saturday attended by guests including the Mayor of Monmouth Councillor Sue Chivers and her family.

The unusual stone pyramid building is still in working order as a well house and was the village’s source of water before the mains supply was installed. The small building now carries a plaque commemorating its restoration and can be viewed by passers-by.

The restoration work was carried out in co-operation with local people, including the Sevenoaks family. While The Village Alive Trust provided materials, the work was carried out voluntarily by stonemason Trevor Jones assisted by Ed Baylis.

Councillor Chivers later dedicated a sculpted plaque of St Christopher at the Trust’s first well house restoration project at New Inn Farm, Cross Ash. The ceremonies were followed by refreshments at New Inn Farm, hosted by Dorothy and Ed Baylis.

The beautifully sculpted interpretation of St Christopher was commissioned by the Baylis family and the Trust. The sculptor, Philip Chatfield, lives at the Gower and has recently carved a Virgin and Child for St Mary’s Church, Monmouth and figures for the town’s restored St Thomas’ Cross. Visitors to the well house were able to chat to Philip and learn more about his fascinating work.