Latest news with #RichardStuder
Powys County Times
10-08-2025
- Business
- Powys County Times
New flats at Presteigne's Judge's Lodging to open in 2026
TWO new flats are being added to the Judge's Lodging museum, the award-winning visitor attraction in Presteigne. The Retiring Rooms @ the Judge's Lodging will be available to let for holidays and short breaks from the spring of 2026. After five years of research, fundraising and planning, the project began on January 6 this year, with specialist builders at Reynolds Conservation starting the transformation of the former housekeeper's flat, which had been used for storage and workrooms in recent years. With stunning colour pallets for each flat and light fittings inspired by the museum's period rooms, the furnishing plan even utilises some of the building's original furnishings not used since its closure as an Assize court and lodging in 1971. The flats will be furnished with all of the humour and attention to detail the museum has become known for. There will be information about former inhabitants, bespoke cosy reading areas stocked with fascinating books and a crime-related games selection. There's even a new bilingual logo, created by local artist Richard Studer. The project's core aim is to bring to life an underused part of the building as a way of generating income to support the building and help keep it a popular tourist attraction going forward. The Judge's Lodging is a totally independent museum, run by its own charity. The work is being supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, the UK Government's Community Ownership Fund, the Welsh Government and the Architectural Heritage Fund. As part of the project, a fantastic new collection workroom and large museum attic store are being created, ensuring that staff and volunteers have the facilities they need to care for Presteigne community collection. The work has also added to the knowledge of the building and its former inhabitants. Digging in the garden to create a space for the builders to work triggered the discovery of a Victorian rubbish dump, with hundreds of fragments of bottles and jars – some still intact. A glass plate photograph of a Victorian woman, buried three feet below the surface, was also found. These and other discovered items will go on display this autumn in the tearoom. A special open weekend on Saturday and Sunday, August 23 and 24, from 11am to 4pm, will allow visitors to see progress so far, with staff and volunteers available. The Judge's Lodging is a member of MWT Cymru, an independent organisation representing more than 600 tourism and hospitality businesses across Powys, Ceredigion and southern Eryri (Snowdonia).
Business News Wales
08-08-2025
- Business
- Business News Wales
Historic Presteigne Museum Expands with Two New Holiday Apartments
Two new flats are being added to The Judge's Lodging Museum, the award-winning visitor attraction in Presteigne. The Retiring Rooms @ The Judge's Lodging will be available to let for holidays and short breaks from spring 2026. After five years of research, fundraising and planning, the project is underway with specialist builders at Reynolds Conservation starting the transformation of the former Housekeeper's Flat, which had been used for storage and workrooms. Colour palletes for each flat and light fittings are inspired by the museum's period rooms, and the furnishing plan utilises some of the building's original furnishings not used since its closure as an Assize court and lodging in 1971. There will be information about former inhabitants, bespoke reading areas stocked with books and a crime-related games selection. A new bilingual logo has been created by local artist Richard Studer. The project's core aim is to bring to life an underused part of the building as a way of generating income to support the building. The Judge's Lodging is an independent museum, run by its own charity. The work is being supported by National Lottery Heritage Fund, UK Government's Community Ownership Fund, Welsh Government and the Architectural Heritage Fund. As part of the project, a new Collection workroom and large museum attic store are being created, ensuring that staff and volunteers have the facilities they need to care for Presteigne Community Collection. The work has also added to the knowledge of the building and its former inhabitants. Digging in the garden to create a space for the builders to work triggered the discovery of a Victorian rubbish dump, with hundreds of fragments of bottles and jars – some still intact. A glass plate photograph of a Victorian woman, buried three feet below the surface, was also found. These and other discovered items will go on display this autumn in the tearoom. A special open weekend on Saturday and Sunday, August 23 and 24, from 11am to 4pm, will allow visitors to see progress so far, with staff and volunteers available. The Judge's Lodging is a member of MWT Cymru, an independent organisation representing more than 600 tourism and hospitality businesses across Powys, Ceredigion and Southern Eryri (Snowdonia).
Powys County Times
29-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Powys County Times
Presteigne pupils stage their own Puss in Boots opera
Presteigne Primary School pupils have staged their own opera after a week of creative workshops. Year 5 and Year 6 pupils from the school spent five days working with Mid Wales Opera to produce a mini-opera based on Puss in Boots. The project was part of a five-day residency led by Mid Wales Opera's creative team, including Richard Studer, the director and designer, and Jonathan Lyness, the music director. Mr Lyness said: "Teaching songs to kids is one of the best things ever. "It's such fun, they're so quick, and for those that aren't quite sure, all I need to do is remove the front of an old upright piano and show them the hammers. "When a teenager comes up to you in the middle of the street in a small Welsh market town, says 'Hello, Jon,' and then starts singing 'What's the use?' from Bernstein's Candide because, some years earlier, they'd learnt this song at the local primary school… that's when you know you've made some sort of difference… in a good way." Throughout the week, pupils explored storytelling through music and song, learning to create a narrative and write lyrics that would come together in a final performance. The project aimed to spark creativity, build songwriting and group singing skills, and develop literacy, confidence, teamwork, and imaginative thinking. The Puss in Boots theme was inspired by Montsalvatge's opera and was selected for its lively characters and episodic structure, which lent itself well to a collaborative performance. Pupils also had the chance to work with Maria Jagusz, an opera singer, British mezzo-soprano and vocal coach. Jill Rolfe, Mid Wales Opera's costume creator, helped the class design and make costumes for characters ranging from princesses to ogres. Mid Wales Opera believes in the 'transformative power of music and performance'. The organisation is now building artistic plans for the next two years, thanks to the support of funders and the public. However, it is calling for further donations to ensure it can continue its outreach work in schools and help secure a future for opera in Wales. Supporters can contribute online at or contact admin@ to discuss donations or opportunities for collaboration in schools or communities. Mid Wales Opera is set to return this autumn with its SmallStages tour, featuring Trouble in Tahiti. The one-act opera by Bernstein takes a sharp look at 1950s American suburbia and will be performed in a chamber arrangement with a cast of five and seven musicians. The evening will also include a second half celebrating American opera and musical theatre.
