A LOCAL building preservation charity has completed renovation work on a stone water trough originally owned by a renowned Monmouthshire historian.

The Village Alive Trust unveiled the completed work at Talycoed Court, formerly home of Sir Joseph Bradney.

The trough is the tenth project completed by the charity, which is based near Llangattock Lingoed in northern Monmouthshire.

Carved from a single block of sandstone, and inscribed with a motto in Welsh which translated as "free water for all," the stone structure originally provided drinking water for animals being transported between Monmouth and Abergavenny.

In 2000, the trough was listed as being of special architectural and historical significance.

Sir Joseph Bradney built his impressive home at Talycoed Court after demolishing an existing house previously owned by Crawshay Bailey Junior, son of the iron master.

Sir Joseph's 12-volume History of Monmouthshire, published between 1904 and 1932, set the template for recognising and recording the significance of the county’s vernacular buildings.

Over the decades, the trough at Talycoed Court had been colonised by ivy and the supporting rear wall had fallen into disrepair.

The trough’s newest owners, Chris and Zara Duncan, approached the Village Alive Trust for help with its renovation after deeds of a nearby farmstead revealed the trough was their responsibility.

Expert stone conservators and a local stonemason renovated work, and trust volunteer Eric Evans researched and illustrated an interpretative panel, designed by Art Matters.

The culmination of the project was celebrated at an unveiling of the panel by the trust's vice-president, Edward Holland, with a toast of mulled wine.

Mr and Mrs Duncan thanked everyone who contributed to the project.

“We had a really lovely crowd of people in the afternoon, those who had helped and those who live in the hamlet and Talycoed Court," Mrs Duncan said.

"Listening to the talk, memories came out about those who had met at the trough in their teenage years to hang out, those who remembered the hunt stopping there, as well as people who witnessed the neglect and deterioration over the years.

“Thank you to everybody who has helped...it’s wonderful to see it now settled in its environment with beautiful views to Offa’s Dyke behind its lovely stonework.”

Support for the project was granted by the Country Houses Foundation, The Community Green Energy Advisory Group Community Benefit Fund (Llanvapley solar farm), The Village Alive Trust, and the trough’s owners.

IN OTHER NEWS