Wales On Sunday

THE DEAD HOUSE GIVEN A NEW LIFE

- JESSICA WALFORD Reporter jessica.walford@walesonlin­e.co.uk

WALES’ only parish mortuary, used to store dead bodies before burial, has been saved from ruin after it was given less than a year to survive.

The Dead House is part of St Cynog’s medieval church in Boughrood in Powys, which was entirely rebuilt in the 19th century.

The then vicar, Henry de Winton, commission­ed a separate building to be constructe­d alongside the church to house corpses prior to burial, as it was believed, following the 1848 London cholera epidemic, that the disease had been caused and spread by decaying bodies.

This was visionary thinking in Victorian Britain, at a time when it was still common practice to keep bodies in the family home until enough decomposit­ion had taken place to discourage grave robbing of bodies for medical dissection.

The last time a body was laid in the Dead House was believed to be in 1928, but there are no existing records.

Elizabeth Bingham, who is on the restoratio­n committee, revealed that many didn’t even know the house existed because it was hidden.

She said: “We know it was used in 1828. After that, we have no knowledge of it. The trouble is Henry de Winton then planted a young tree which grew and its branches, like an octopus, destroyed the roof and the roots undermined the foundation­s. It was planted one metre from the south facing wall.

“For years, we had no idea it was there because it was so hidden. The tree was becoming unstable but the weight of the house stopped it falling over. One odd branch was striking out and it was an unbalanced tree. The tree was then cut down.”

The Grade II listed building is currently on the Register of Buildings at Risk, with experts giving it less than 12 months to survive if emergency works are not carried out.

But now a £50,000 grant from the National Lottery has ensured its survival.

The funding will help bring the Dead House back to life, by restoring leaded glass windows, protecting masonry which contains 19th century graffiti and replacing the earth floor with one made from re-used headstones.

Volunteers will also research the significan­ce of the Dead House and the history of the Victorian parish it served, creating an exhibition in the restored building which will be open to the public for the first time.

A short bilingual film about life expectancy, the Poor Law and medicine in the Victorian period will also be shared on the People’s Collection Wales website, while a reproducti­on parish coffin for the burial of paupers will also be on display. Elizabeth said she was “delighted”. She added: “We want to put it back to how it was. We’re delighted because it’s been on the register for several years, so now, providing it doesn’t fall down, in the next few weeks we can get started.

“I was nervous during the snow but it survived.”

Ian Charleswor­th, Vicar at St Cynog’s, said: “This is the first part of a two-phase project to upgrade St Cynog’s church and engage the community in its rich history, as well as that of the parish. Getting this National Lottery funding is incredibly exciting and we can’t wait to begin work.”

Richard Bellamy, head of the Heritage Lottery Fund in Wales, said: “It is fantastic that this unusual and truly unique building, with such a fascinatin­g social history, is being saved thanks to National Lottery players.

“Its significan­ce to the area and indeed the whole of Wales – as the country’s only Dead House – is well worth protecting, and I’m sure a lot of people will be fascinated by its history while learning more about the very real issues around life and death in the Victorian era.”

Brecon and Radnorshir­e MP Chris Davies added: “This project is a good example of the hard work of volunteers and community groups which can have such a positive impact on their communitie­s.

“The Dead House in Boughrood could be a great attraction for the area and it is fantastic to see funding made available for historical buildings in Brecon and Radnorshir­e.”

 ?? NATIONAL LOTTERY ?? The Dead House at St Cynog’s medieval church, Boughrood, has been saved from ruin after being awarded a grant from the National Lottery
NATIONAL LOTTERY The Dead House at St Cynog’s medieval church, Boughrood, has been saved from ruin after being awarded a grant from the National Lottery

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