Fight to save historic site hopes film will go viral
ADISTANT cousin of Hollywood star Helena Bonham Carter is making a short film as part of the campaign to save a historic Laugharne building from falling into ruin.
John Bonham Carter was among 60 people who packed out a public meeting as efforts to safeguard Island House in Wogan Street got under way.
The property has been empty since its last owner died 15 years ago and has since been placed in the hands of executors, understood to be relatives of the owner who were named in his will.
For the past five years scaffolding has been in front of the building, which has its origins in the 16th and 17th centuries and where Roman remains were believed to have been discovered in the 1800s.
A public meeting by pressure group Save Island House on Thursday outlined its aims to safeguard the building.
Following the meeting, Mr Bonham Carter, who lives in Laugharne, said he wants to make a short film highlighting the plight of the building and showing the level of feeling in Laugharne to spark action to ensure its future.
He said: “I want it to be a viral video that we can get out to as many people as possible. It’s a call to arms, really.”
Exact details of the film are yet to be thrashed out, but Mr Bonham Carter – who has produced corporate viral marketing and event launch videos for several prominent Welsh firms with his company Bonham Carter Motion Pictures – said: “It will likely be four to five minutes with voiceovers or interviews with campaigners.”
The film aims to call on the powers that be, such as the executors of the last owner’s will and Carmarthenshire Council, to take action to stop the building decaying further.
In 2015 the council agreed to start efforts to compulsorarily purchase the building due to its deteriorating condition, but four years on the sale has not gone ahead.
Councillor Philip Hughes, executive board member for enforcement, said: “Detailed, complex discussions are ongoing as the council looks to support efforts to safeguard the longterm future of the listed Island House building.
“Although the council has resolved to potentially obtain the property through a Compulsory Purchase Order, we continue to explore all available options.”
A JustGiving page has also been set up to help fund the work of the campaign.
Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire MP Simon Hart, who attended the public meeting, said afterwards: “I share the community’s view that Island House is a crucial bit of Laugharne’s history but also its future, and every effort must be made to save it.”