Singing the praises of that controversial blue (From Western Telegraph)

Singing the praises of that controversial blue

THE controversial Victorian blue on West Wales Properties' offices in Haverfordwest may have disappeared, but the colour lives on in the town.

For police officer Kevin Jones and his partner Hannah Horgan, who runs Pembrokeshire Cleaning Services, have chosen the colour for their Prendergast home. The couple have owned Fountain House - formerly the Fountain Hotel back in 1872 - for six years.

They decided to paint the exterior, and the brilliant blue is a huge change from the previous white with a brown border at the bottom.

Decorator Chris Wilson, of Brush Strokes, Milford Haven, had shown Kevin and Hannah a range of heritage paint colours.

"I pointed out the Victorian blue which had been exactly the same as the colour on the estate agents and they liked it," said Chris.

And Kevin explained: "We wanted something different and I thought the West Wales Property building was absolutely great. We felt it was ridiculous they had to change it. We thought we would paint our house that colour in support of them."

He and Hannah are delighted with the result. Said Kevin: "Everyone who has seen it says it looks fantastic. It is a strong colour and I didn't realise how much impact it had until we walked up the street toward the house. It's great."

l Commenting on the 'blue building controversy', Jackie James of Llangunnor, referred to a recent article in a national weekend magazine which showed a house in Bristol painted in Victorian blue.

"The point I wish to make is if it's okay to paint a Georgian house in Bristol in the 'offending' colour - why not in 'Harfat'," she asked?

"As an ex-Harfat girl who visits the town I found the 'blue building' was one of only a handful (if that!) which looked smart. A lot of the painted buildings look tacky and rundown.

"While I have nothing against pastel colours - the Georgian town houses around the harbour in Tenby look superb - the deeper colours, if tastefully carried out, also look as good."

Blue is the colour - that's what decorator Chris Wilson and Fountain House owners, Hannah Horgan and Kevin Jones, say. PICTURE: Western Telegraph (WTJG992H03).

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