This group of volunteers manage the Penllergare Valley estate and coffee shop, created by John Dillwyn Llewelyn (1810-82), who was a man distinguished not only for his contribution to landscape design and horticulture, but also for his scientific experiments and pioneering photography.
He exploited the majestic natural beauty of the site to create an idyllic landscape. With its lakes and waterfalls, panoramic vistas, secret places and horticultural and botanical riches, Penllergare provided an infinite variety of subjects for his camera.
The Dillwyn Llewelyn family and their Penllergare estate influenced the growth of the local community by providing employment, housing and education.
The volunteers, along with staff and contractors have been working hard over the last decade or so to maintain and to restore the Penllergare landscape to the romantic style shown in John Dillwyn Llewelyn's photographs.
Over the past years they have worked to restore the Upper Lake, Carriage Drive, Lower Lake, and historic paths and steps. More recently, work has been done to restore and replant the Terrace Rockwork Garden and cascades, and this is still ongoing.
They are now looking to start Phase Two of our restoration – the Walled Gardens and Orchid House and are in the process of raising £90,000 in match-funding in order to secure a grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund to enable us to proceed with this project.
It was a pleasure and a privilege to thank them for doing so much for the City and its environs, as part of this event.
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