Charlotte Church invites devotees to join wellness community at £ 1.5million country mansion

Wellness enthusiasts can apply to live with Charlotte Church at her healing center in the countryside and join her in “singing at the dawn”.

The 35-year-old singer is inviting “all kinds of different people” to volunteer to stay at her “radical” community retreat in a large country mansion in mid Wales.

The bold plans will see the rookies reconnect with nature on the grounds of the £ 1.5million Rhydoldog house just outside of Rhayader, Powys, who once belonged to fashion legend Laura Ashley.

The mother-of-three has now revealed that applications are open to share her dream of a ‘non-hierarchical participatory democracy system’ at home, which dates back to the 15th century.

Its goal is to build a “zero emission, off-grid” healing retreat center with spiritual healing practices such as sound ceremonies and forest baths.

The cost of the retreat is still unclear, but volunteers are asked to email one side of A4 size or short film or audio file to explain their skills, experience and values.

She said: “There are 47 acres of magical wonders in central Wales. We’re going to be building a little democratic community here for next year basically.

“We will be focusing on different wellness practices such as meditation and reconnecting with nature. Probably do some singing at dawn.

“Submit an application if you are interested in living in a community, doing things a little differently, and reconnecting with yourself, with the community and with nature. ”

The estate, which has its own helicopter landing pad, was previously used by Laura and Bernard Ashley to throw lavish parties and provided the backdrop for the brand’s signature fashion shoots.

The bold plans will see rookies reconnect with nature in the grounds of Rhydoldog House (pictured), just outside of Rhayader, Powys, once owned by fashion legend Laura Ashley

Calming interiors provide the perfect meditation space. Charlotte told contestants they can expect to reconnect with nature and sing at dawn

A bedroom with striking wallpaper where guests will stay at the Rhydoldog House

Inside the £ 1.5million property, modern interiors brought the 15th-century home to life

The goal of Charlotte, a mother of three, is to build a “zero emission, off-grid” healing retreat center offering training in mixed martial arts, including Brazilian jiu jitsu and kickboxing.

Daily Kundalini Yoga sessions will also be offered along with spiritual healing practices such as sound ceremonies and forest baths.

Volunteers wishing to join the retreat are encouraged to send an email on an A4 side or a short film or audio file to explain their skills, experience and values.

Charlotte (pictured in her forest) called on those interested in participating in spiritual healing practices such as the sound ceremony and forest baths

The house sits on a beautiful 47 acre lot and was sold by the Ashley family after 36 years of ownership in 2009

The property overlooks the Elan Valley and close to the Claerwen Valley – offering stunning scenery

A balcony at the country house allows visitors to enjoy the panoramic view of the surrounding acres of ‘magical wonder’

To complete the well-being experience, the mansion is also equipped with a gym

Charlotte and her husband, music producer Jonathan Powell, took over the vast land miles from the nearest town after deciding not to open a school.

But anyone with a severe visual impairment or a disability that inhibits mobility cannot apply due to accessibility on the job site.

Charlotte has reportedly spent £ 1.5million on the estate which has seven bedrooms and a 200-year-old barn that will be converted into a large hall for gatherings and events.

The house currently derives 80 percent of its energy from an on-site hydro mill and there are plans to install solar panels to offset the remaining 20 percent.

Charlotte expects work to convert the property into a retreat to take 12 months – and aims to complete it around June 2022.

She said: “You will need to tell us about your skills, experience, values ​​and why you want to be a part of this project. No skills are worthless, so please state all skills when you apply. for a position. ‘

How did Laura and Sir Bernard spend their years at Rhydoldog House?

Laura Ashley in a 1976 documentary about her clothing brand

The couple initially bought the house in 1961 to be near their fledgling business in the town of Carno. Laura Ashley was born in Wales and opened the company’s first store in Machynlleth, Montgomeryshire.

Rhydoldog is said to host high profile board meetings as well as some of Wales’ most lavish parties.

At the height of their success during Laura’s life, the house will also serve as the backdrop for the brand’s iconic photo shoots from the clothing lines.

The surrounding grounds are even said to have inspired the designer’s famous floral prints that continue to this day.

Over the years, the two men spent less time at the property, allowing themselves to buy a house in France and Belgium as well as a yacht. Sir Bernard, trained as a private pilot, was returning from their home in France to monitor the operation of the company.

Laura died from injuries sustained in a fall at her daughter’s house in the Cotswolds in 1985.

After Laura Ashley’s 40th birthday in 1993, Sir Bernard retired as President and became Honorary Life President.

Not much is known about Sir Bernard’s life as a widower on the estate, but he lived there for the next 24 years until his death in 2009.

The house was put on the market soon after, although the couple’s daughter, Jane, said she had spoken to the National Trust and even the National Museum of Wales about the restoration of the property into the hands of the ‘State, but the logistics could not be agreed.

Her daughter Jane told the Western Mail: “I had several meetings with the National Trust and even the National Museum of Wales was trying to find a way [not to sell the property]. It was just too much of a problem to keep it.

The house was eventually sold for £ 1.2million in the fall of 2009 to new owners who restored much of the facade but don’t appear to have given the house the complete overhaul it needed.

Now it looks like the property has been bought out by singer Charlotte Church, who will be able to spend part of her £ 8million fortune to complete the job.

The soprano had initially considered turning the house into a school, but a local said there had been “no mention” of the idea and that it might not attract many students given its location. isolated.