In September 2007 Stirling bought the cottage from the family who had been its owners of nearly a century. Katy, Dewi, Ruth and Mair Jones were keen to sell the house to someone sensitive to it’s history. Stirling and partner Simon Whitehead had known Ieuan, Katy’s husband, as a regular visitor to what was his childhood home. As neighbours to the cottage they have been delighted to have the opportunity to renovate 2 Penrhiw and give it life once more.

Many people have been involved in the conservation and ‘modernisation’ of the cottage. To see photos taken by Ben Stammers of the cottage when empty and before any renovation started please look at the gallery of images below.

The cottage has been completely rewired, and freshly plumbed (all we found when starting was a cold tap over the belfast sink!). Where lime plaster could not be saved it was replaced and natural clay and mineral paints and limes have been used throughout. Attention to the environmental/sustainabilty aspect is reflected in the choice of Welsh Sheepswool insulation in the roof, a low flush toilet and, use of local sustainably sourced timber, two wood stoves, and an efficient new condensing boiler for heating.

Environmental Engineering student Celine Janz designed the garden as her first year project. In March 2009 she worked with us for a week to put in the ground work and begin the planting. The idea is to create a garden that is easy to maintain yet appealing for it’s human and animal/insect visitors alike. A selection of fresh herbs can be picked and used by visitors and the house is decorated with flowers from the garden in season. After a plentiful harvest in our first autumn we have well pruned the old apple trees which are grafted with many varieties. Soon there will be apples aplenty again for visitors throughout the autumns. Photos of the garden in progress and flowering in it’s first spring/summer at the foot of the page.

By June 2008 the bulk of the renovation was complete and for the following year Stirling and friend Alanda Gunn-Wilson painted, sewed, and added the finishing touches for opening in July 2009. Simon lime washed the outside of the front of the cottage, giving it a welcoming glow. It is a wonderful feeling to now share the cottage with others who continue, through their enjoyment of the place, to breathe new life into it.

2 Penrhiw will be available for holiday lets and for artist residencies throughout the year. The first residency, The Milford Swallows, took place in the autumn of 2008 when the cottage was still being transformed. For info and photos visit the ointment website