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Front view of Talgarth Tower, August 2000
Talgarth is referred to as the capital of the lordship of Brecknock in the 11th century but there is little evidence of a Talgarth Castle. Castell Dinas, and later, Blaenllynfi may have served that role. In 1282 Reginald fitz Peter was holding court at least twice a year in Talgarth, probably on the upper floor of the Tower and in 1322 Talgarth was formally treated as having a castle. It has been said that parts of the tower date as far back as 1100, but his has never been proven, and nothing is known about who may have built the original structure.
Standing on the east bank of the River Ennig, the tower guards the bridge over the river at one end of Talgarth market place. Such a tactical position suggests a reasonably early date and lordly influence in its building. The tower measures 8.2m by 7.8m, over walls 2m thick, and rises about 9.5m in height. It contains a basement and three storeys, most of which was built during the 14th century, but the pyramidal roof, which has probably replaced a parapet, was added in the late 1700s.
Views of the front and rear of Talgarth Tower circa 1900
The tower has a low cellar below the current ground level, and three upper storeys connected by a straight staircase built within the wall at the north-east end. The basement, below ground level on all sides except the southern, river side, was roughly rectangular and has a doorway cut through the masonry to lead into a more modern additional building. A fireplace or oven is said to have been in the south wall next to this opening.
Section of Talgarth Tower.
The ground floor of the tower appears to have been entered from the market-place to the north, although this opening has subsequently been re-cut. Above this doorway is a medieval defensive machicolation which strengthens the opinion that this was the original entrance. The two doorways to the south into the additional building appear to be relatively modern. The entrance in the east wall appears to be of some antiquity. No original lighting is apparent on this floor.
The first floor was reached by a straight mural stairway. At the top of this stair a recent doorway has been made into the northern addition, and opposite this in the south wall is another such doorway into the southern addition. Opposite the stairway is a garderobe chamber and a small window light. Next to it is a deeply splayed window embrasure with stone seats of a medieval variety. Two corbels can also be seen on this floor.
The second floor is reached from a dog-legged mural stair starting in the eastern window embrasure. This gives access, opposite a small light, to the second floor. This large room has a single light to the east and a latrine off the embrasure to the west. The latrine was once a projecting structure and is similar in construction to one at Longtown Castle keep, which may can be dated to between 1216-28. The stairs continue from the doorway to the now blocked off parapet which once crowned the tower. The tower appears to have been heated from fireplaces in the south wall, their place now being occupied by modern fireplaces.
Plan of the top floor of Talgarth Tower
Extensions added in the 19th century now serve as the Talgarth Tourist Information Centre, which only opened in 1999. After years of neglect, the ground floor of the Tower has been restored from its near derelict state. The Talgarth TIC Project was established as a spin-off from the Talgarth Trust, a local community action group which set out to tackle the social, environmental and economic decline of the town. This project was possible only because of the support of the new private owner of the Talgarth Tower a Mr. T. Martin, who is restoring it in its entirety.
At a members evening of the Brecknock Branch of the Campaign for the Protection of Rural Wales, an award was presented to the Talgarth Tourist Information Centre Association in recognition of the work involved in establishing the TIC. President of the Branch, Mr Louis Hurley pointed out that the project was a fine example of Local Agenda 21 - people working together at the local level to improve environmental, social and economic aspects of their area. Brian Hay, from the Talgarth TIC Association, said how pleased he was to be collecting the award.
Rear view of Talgarth Tower, August 2000
The Talgarth Trust worked in partnership with statutory agencies (Powys County Council, Brecon Beacons National Park, Development Board for Rural Wales and the Town Council), who formed the Talgarth Regeneration Working Party. The working party attracted funding for refurbishment of the building. Within the restoration fixtures from May Evans' original shop were used and the desk from Hay-on-Wye's old Station Office was bought for use as a counter. The TIC was opened officially by Richard Livsey on 30th April 1999. The trust itself has since dissolved, but its activities have been taken on by new and existing groups within the town. The TIC is managed by the newly formed and entirely voluntary "Talgarth Tourist Information Centre Association".
As well as providing an array of information about the area, the tower also houses displays on local heritage and environment, provides a resource for local groups and exhibits work by local craftspeople.
Bibliography
Mike Salter – The Castles of Mid Wales – Folly Publications, July 1991
Paul Remfrey – Castles of Breconshire – Logaston Press, 1999
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Posted 04 April 2003 - 02:59 PM
