THE GUILDHALL MAKEOVER

Sleeves were rolled up at the Guildhall when Celtic Sustainables joined forces with Menter Abereifi to start the decoration of the impressive Great Hall. 

The Grade 2 listed building in the centre of Cardigan town was reopened in 2008 after a £2.5 million restoration. After nine years of weddings, concerts, dances and public meetings, the Great Hall interior was in need of a facelift. The Guildhall is Grade II* listed and has been at the centre of the town’s community since it was opened in 1860. The building was renovated under the Townscape Heritage Initiative, which funded the regeneration of many of the town’s historic buildings between 2002 and 2007.

Celtic Sustainables, who supply natural and eco-friendly decorating and building renovation products from their base in Parc Teifi, Cardigan, donated the paint and their expertise. ‘When we approached Celtic Sustainables for help they did not hesitate to offer all the paint needed to redecorate the room and have even spent time helping us with the work and advising us on care of the building,’ said Ann Stokoe, Guildhall Manager. ‘Their positive response is very much appreciated and has enabled us to fit the work in between client bookings to keep the disruption to a minimum.’

The Guildhall has important central value for the whole town; it is much used by locals throughout the year. It draws in a lot of interest from artists and hosts the corn exchange and the River & Food Festival. The Guildhall organizes evening classes, and has introduced a weekly market which supports over 30 traders and their businesses. The Guildhall also draws in some tourists, and now that the painting in The Great Hall has been completed, it will be ready to host weddings this summer.

Glyn Hyett, Director of Celtic Sustainables, said: ‘It ihas beena pleasure to be involved in the redecoration of this grand community space. With historic solid wall buildings it is vital to keep the walls breathable so that the walls dry out a healthy indoor space is maintained. I Earthborn claypaints are perfect for that purpose.’

Earthborn Claypaint is a unique eco paint with a luxurious, ultra-matt finish for walls and ceilings. The beautiful range of traditional and contemporary colours are soothing and inspiring. Health and environmental benefits are unbeatable, too - Claypaint is virtually free of VOCs and other harmful emissions, odour free, totally oil free and highly breathable - perfect for traditional buildings. The Menter team chose Humpty Dumpty Eggshell for the skirting board, Yum Yum and Posset Claypaint for the walls and an eggshell white paint for the 7 large windows in the hall. The colour scheme is light and uplifting and brings the hall to life; perfect for all the shows and weddings that take place in the Hall.

Julian Beynon-Lewis, Managing Director of local, not for profit community company, Menter Aberteifi, who manage the Guildhall said....

"After eight years of heavy use the Great Hall was in need of redecoration. It's important when working on an iconic heritage building like the 157 year old Cardigan Guildhall to use sympathetic materials so we approached local company Celtic Sustainables. We were delighted when they very generously supplied a range of Earthborn clay based paints and their considerable expertise and advice. We found Earthborn Paints to be of superior quality and very easy to work with and we would have no hesitation in recommending them for anyone else undertaking a project of their own. "

Menter Aberteifi is a not-for-profit social enterprise, which was created to run projects for the benefit of the community in Cardigan and the surrounding area. Currently they manage the Guildhall and Market, Corn Exchange Gallery, Cardigan River and Food Festival, a tourism website www.visitcardigan.com and a heritage website www.visitcardigan.com

Celtic Sustainables sell online to the whole of the UK and locally from their warehouse, shop and showroom at Unit 9, Parc Teifi, Cardigan, SA43 1EW. Tel: 01239 623506. Website: www.celticsustainables.co.uk.