A PARTY of members of Ross Decorative and Fine Arts Society undertook a rather atypical visit into Wales in mid-November to experience the eclectic charms of the Christmas-themed decorations of The Hall at Abbey-Cwm-Hir, near Llandrindod Wells.

Every room in the 52-roomed hall is decorated each October for Christmas: for 10 weeks or so, visitors can appreciate the very individual interior decorative skills of Victoria Humpherston - who owns the Victorian mansion with her husband, Paul - and her small team of helpers.

For Christmas, every room has a different decorative display – to an overall loosely-interpreted theme – and each has a decorated Christmas tree (of all shapes, origins and sizes). No half-measures are apparent; there are toys and dolls galore, books, pictures, photos, lamps, advertising material, candles, clothing, accessories, mannequins and numerous other artefacts. The only obvious unit of measurement is “by the gross”. It may sound “gross”, too, but everything is in its place, and fits in and blends in surprisingly well in an over-the-top sort of way. Victoria has an eye for the unusual!

All this is fitted into a grand and tastefully furnished, Grade 2 Listed building with elegant Rococo moulded ceilings, some Maws antique-tiled flooring, marble fireplaces, expensive wallpapers, a fine main staircase and collections of some good modern porcelain and glass. Somehow it remains a family home.

Is it decorative? Certainly. Is it fine art? In part. Was it enjoyable? Thirty-eight members can’t be wrong!