Mark Baker

Mark Baker is an architectural historian and author of several books on country houses, estates and their families. Baker has contributed to several television series and programmes. He became a Welsh Conservative Party councillor for Gele in May 2017. Early years and education Baker was educated at Rydal Penrhos School, Colwyn Bay. He later attended the University of Wales, Bangor, in 2003, from which graduated with a BA in history and archaeology in 2006. Baker's MA was taken at Cardiff University and focussed on the Gothic Revival in Wales. Baker then undertook PhD studies researching the development of Welsh Country Houses, during which he discovered the earliest known image of Hafod Uchtryd, Devil's Bridge. Baker was made a member of the National Trust Committee for Wales in 2009 (later renamed the Wales Advisory Board). In 2011, Baker curated "Welsh Architecture from the Salisbury Collection: A Selection of Original Artworks" from Cardiff University archives. Gwrych Castle Preservation Trust In 1997, Baker founded ASFOG (A Society For the Friends of Gwrych). The organisation changed its name in 2001 to Gwrych Castle Preservation Trust and became a registered charity. The Trust aims to raise awareness of Gwrych's plight and also to establish a solution for the conservation and preservation of the castle. Baker spearheaded a campaign for the building's restoration that proved fruitful when the Trust precipitated the sale of the castle by pursuing compulsory purchase action. This earned Baker recognition within the heritage world and he was made the youngest honorary life member of SAVE Britain's Heritage.