Glasbury Business Wins Prestigious Architect Award

The Campaign for the Protection of Rural Wales (CPRW) is delighted to announce that the 2016 Award for Architecture has been presented to Wye Valley Canoes for their exciting and dramatic conversion of the old chapel in Glasbury. The presentation took place on Wednesday 14th September 2016 at the River Café in Glasbury.

The Brecon & Radnor Branch of CPRW which gives the Award chose the chapel conversion for the exciting and sensitive conversion to what is now a 5 star bunk house and operating centre for the Canoe business. Peter Seaman, chair of the B&R branch said “our judging panel was very impressed how the client, Jane Hughes and the architect Sam Organ have retained the character, space and light of the old chapel and have at the same time now provided high class facilities which will benefit the local economy. The panel was also impressed by the use of green energy wood pellet to provide heat to the building, as well as rain water harvesting to flush the loos “. Wye Valley Canoes business owner Jane Hughes said “We are thrilled to receive the Award which endorses the work of our architect and local builder Steve Greenow. We are now promoting mid-week breaks for corporate events and are working with local businesses to provide a range of activities from bootcamp and spa treatments to flash mob singing lessons and yoga!”.

The Award for Architecture is an annual award given in memory of local conservation architect Louis Hurley.

CPRW Brecon & Radnor also presented a second ‘Highly Commended’ award for the conversion of the Minister’s horse stable at Penyrheol chapel in the foothills of the Black Mountains near Velindre. The stable is now a community centre with the vision and fundraising coming from Janet Mathews, chapel secretary and the other members of the chapel congregation. Peter Seaman said “The panel was so impressed by the community effort of Janet, Christine Outhwaite, Rosemary Vaughan and others: it has kept alive a beautiful spot for worship and community activities”.