# Golden Grove Mansion Appeal

- Link: https://fundraising.co.uk/2009/12/21/golden-grove-mansion-appeal/
- Published: 2009-12-21T16:13:05+00:00
- Author: Howard Lake

![Golden Grove Mansion Appeal](https://www.fundraising.co.uk/files/images/newswire/
Gelli-Aur-1crop.gif)

Press Release:

 

WELSH CONVALESCENT HOME FOR ALL ARMED FORCES AND VETERANS : APPEAL LAUNCHED TO BUY
CARMARTHENSHIRE MANSION

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An ambitious plan to save an historic Welsh mansion from ruin by restoring it as
a convalescent home for serving armed forces personnel and veterans, who have been
scarred both physically and mentally in the Iraq and Afghanistan wars. A news conference
and photoshoot was held at Gelli Aur ( Golden Grove ) mansion near Llandeilo in 
Carmarthenshire on Friday 11th December at 10:00.

 

This is a unique project, in that it unites peace campaigners and those with military
service, in a desire to see provision being made for our armed forces personnel,
wounded in the fighting in the Middle East.

 

At present, there is no such provision in Wales.

 

‘ The Golden Grove Mansion appeal ‘will be launched to raise funds to buy and renovate
the mansion and surrounding grounds in the Tywi Valley. This is a multi-million 
pound project and the charity will seek funding from many sources.

 

The idea was originally raised by the Union of Welsh Independent Churches, out of
Christian concern for armed forces personnel and their families, who presently have
to travel to centres in England to visit relatives wounded in the wars.

 

Appeal organiser KEVIN RICHARDS will be present at the news conference. Also, the
Revd GUTO PRYS AP GWYNFOR, President of the Union of Welsh Independents. Kevin is
a former combat medic (Royal Regiment of Wales) and Guto is a prominent pacifist.

 

Historical note: Gelli Aur (Golden Grove) was originally built in 1560 as the seat
of the Vaughan family, who were descended from the princes of Powys. About 200 years
ago it passed to the ownership of Lord Cawdor, who rebuilt the mansion in its present
style by 1834. In later years it housed an agricultural college, but the rambling
mansion – which has some 150 rooms – has been empty and on sale for some time. It
is a Grade II* listed building within a conservation area. The grounds include a
wooded public recreation area and visitors centre. It was also used as an American
military hospital, during the second world war.

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