What does a church closed for ten years look like inside?

THE Village Alive Trust is spearheading a project to restore St Teilo’s Church at Llanarth for use by the community, and a professionally created drone film captures a moment in history illustrating how an unused heritage building is faring, following its closure in 2013.

Martin Phillips, of film makers RED 90, lives near the church and offered his expertise to create a short drone film showing how the Grade II* building looks ten years after the doors were closed by the Church in Wales. As the Village Alive Trust is a volunteer run charity, Martin’s offer was snapped up! The film can be added to as steps forward are achieved in saving this building, which was put up for sale in 2019, but was taken off the market by the Church in Wales for the Village Alive Trust to build a project.

Anyone interested in what happens next, if the Village Alive Trust project gets enough rural community and grant aid support, is invited to see the short film at a Coffee Morning on June 10^th, at Llanarth Village Hall. The free event runs from 10am-1pm and members of the Trust will be on hand to outline progress on the rejuvenation of a building which has Norman origins.

A successful workshop hosted by the Trust with Community Action Network support was held in March and drew delegates from a wide spectrum of groups operating in the rural area. These included mental health charities, bee keepers,  councillors, history lovers and support groups as well as exponents of cycling, therapies and yoga among others interested in using quiet space.

The findings of the day are being collated by Chris Jones Regeneration and will be invaluable towards proving there is a need for a community facility serving well being needs in this rural area of Monmouthshire. Bell ringing training and a drop in café facility are also being put forward as part of the multi-use aims of a centre which is close to walking and cycling routes and sits in the Llanarth conservation area.

The Church in Wales has already offered a long lease at peppercorn rent if the Trust can gain grant aid to rejuvenate the building with new sustainable use. The support of interested local people and user groups is essential. The Coffee Morning will allow anyone interested to sign up to receive newsletters and a survey. Community ‘need’ will form the basis of future grant applications so it is vital it is quantified.

Pat Griffiths, chairman of the Trust, said, “The Village Alive Trust was set up in 2004, to restore at risk listed buildings in Monmouthshire, and to foster involvement in heritage and community, with activities relating to conserved buildings, such as open days, fairs and conferences.

“This ‘Calon Llanarth’ project to bring back access to St Teilo’s will need support long after any grant aid has conserved the fabric of the church and refurbished it for community use with heating and water and WC facilities. Come along to the lovely setting of Llanarth Village Hall, near Raglan, on June 10^th and learn more over a cuppa and cake.”

Details on the Trust can be found at www.villagealivetrust.org.uk or by emailing village.alive@btinternet.com