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Established in 1983 John Beavan is a creator of 'one off' exquisite, unique bespoke pieces of luxury furniture.

Newton House, Dinefwr Estate a National Trust Property

By Richard Jaques • 01 Oct, 2019

Built in 1660, you can still find traces of the original Newton House on a visit to the Dinefwr estate. Most of what you see of the grand building today dates back to the 1850s, when it was given a fashionable Gothic facelift, with stone cladding and four impressive turrets. With recent years The National Trust reinstated some missing interior fixtures, the dining room and drawing room fireplaces. The National Trust commissioned Master carver Emyr Hughes to help reinstate the Drawing and Dining room fireplaces at Newton House Llandeilo, after enduring research, Emyr drew the plans and carved detailing, and later visited John Beavan who constructed the fireplaces, with each mould detachable, enabling Emyr and his son Dafydd to hold the moulding in a vice for carving, knowing that the standard of work and detailing will be nothing but outstanding, the pair of carved fireplaces, now tastefully painted, one creamy/white and the other a dark grey and reinstated in these magnificent rooms. There is a booklet in both rooms, Dafydd and Emyr’s names are acknowledged as master carvers of both fireplaces. Dinefwr Park is one of the most illustrious places in Welsh history, a stunning 800 acre estate on the outskirts of the old farming town of Llandeilo. Most Haunted – Spooky tales Newton House is thought to be one of the most haunted houses in Britain and it’s clear to see why. Many have a spooky tale to tell about a ghostly encounter or paranormal experience. The servants’ basement seems to be an area of high paranormal activity with visitors claiming to have seen, heard and even smelt the tobacco smoke of Walter the Butler. Some people have also experienced a choking sensation as they climb the sweeping cantilever staircase. It’s believed that this stems from the tragic tale of Lady Elinor Cavendish, who was strangled by her suitor when she refused his advances.

WHAT OUR CUSTOMERS SAY...

John Beavan and his team have worked for us at Goodwood on a number of projects over the last twelve years, his work is always absolutely first rate and his care and attention to detail exemplary. We have just replaced all the big mahogany inlaid doors in the State end of the House. John has made them all and they are a huge improvement to the Regency interior, which is Grade I Listed. You know whenever John is involved that everything will be turned out to the very highest quality – that’s a given. He is, without doubt, one of the finest cabinet makers working in England today.

DUKE OF RICHMOND
It is the timeless design and beautiful craftsmanship that have made us return to John Beavan for several bespoke pieces of furniture for our home. A truly talented cabinet maker, whose team provides a friendly and professional service.

MR & MRS TYE
Dear John and Nicki. Our table is giving us a great deal of pleasure. You’ve created just what we wanted with great ingenuity and craftsmanship. Thank you both very much.

JOANNA
John Beavan helped us design and then made a complete set of 7′ high mahogany doors for our study and the internal doors downstairs in our house. Every day they give us great pleasure and the time and craftsmanship was worth all the effort. We were so pleased we also had a large table made to fit our dining room. That sits happily amongst the rest of our furniture despite being a couple of hundred years younger!

PHILLIP
Just a note to let you know that the bookcases arrived safely and are now in use, we are all delighted with them. The quality of the workmanship has been much admired and as well as being a joy to us now we feel they are very much a part of our legacy to future generations of worshippers at Saint Andrew’s. I will record their installation. Along with your name as maker, in our church log book which goes back to 1831 (not ancient compared to your buildings but nevertheless it is an interesting record).

SAINT ANDREW’S HAM
English Heritage worked with John Beavan to reproduce a 19th century stump bed and mattresses, and sets of hanging bookshelves, for the Audley End Nursery project. The aim of the project was to redecorate and re-furnish the empty and derelict Nursery rooms at Audley End, which have never previously been open to the public, and restore the rooms to their appearance in the 1830s and 1840s. The furniture that John Beavan made for the project was based on similar surviving pieces elsewhere, plus contemporary illustrations and descriptions. This was a very exciting project that has enhanced the visitor experience at Audley End.

ENGLISH HERITAGE

John Beavan Ltd., Parsons Hall, Kyre, Tenbury Wells, Worc WR15 8RW

01885 410 549 | info@johnbeavan.com