06 Aug 2008
Anglesey castle restoration complete
BY Pete Hayman
A restoration project to save Castell Aberlleiniog in Anglesey, North Wales has been completed. The work, which began in September 2007, has now safeguarded the future of the Scheduled Ancient Monument after it was in danger of complete collapse when acquired by owners Menter Môn in 2003. Funding for the £237,000 restoration project was provided by Cadw, the Welsh Assembly Government's historic environment service, and the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF). A number of other public bodies were involved in funding work on footpaths at the site, including the Countryside Council for Wales. Cadw's inspector of Scheduled Ancient Monuments, Mike Yates, said: "For over 20 years I have observed the progressive deterioration of this site. It is therefore a huge satisfaction to see the monument conserved before too much was lost." Dating back to 1088, the castle, near Llangoed, is the island's only example of a motte and bailey castle. The work was performed by a specialist team of heritage construction contractors, and involved stabilising the mound (motte) on which the castle stands, and the rebuilding by hand of the towers. The head of HLF Wales, Jennifer Stewart, said: "Wales's many castles are a key element of our heritage. This HLF grant has ensured that the significant archeological resource at Aberlleiniog has been secured for future generations."
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