The Team

The owners, Daniel Butler and Helen Nakielny, live in Mid-Wales. Both are writers and Daniel also runs wild mushroom foraging courses (see www.fungiforays.co.uk) and teaches for Aberystwyth University.

Nick Beech is an engineer with a passion for vernacular buildings and a particular love of green-oak framing. A neighbour and friend of Daniel, he helped restore the latter’s collapsing Radnorshire barn, so it was natural to ask him to act as project co-ordinator on Glebe. When the extent of the damp became apparent and the architect fell ill, Nick drew up detailed plans and made the oak frames.

The internal, front and kitchen doors were hand-made by Llandrindod Wells-based Andrew Quarterman. He also made the extension’s arrow-slit frames and the bathroom window . . . oh and the dining room table and the butcher’s block in the kitchen.

Rob Malone was the man who picked up the pieces at the end and helped to restore the reputation of Welsh builders for honesty and hard work. Diana Ferris and her team do the changeovers.