Charity concert will support Vale church’s restoration project
A VALE church which once served a monastic grange is getting support from its neighbours in a major restoration project.
Work to repair the roof and wall of the church of St Mary Magdalene in Monknash is being supported by an ‘Evening of Music for Spring and New Beginnings’ at Ewenny Priory Church on Wednesday, 22nd March.
Patrick King, co-principal timpanist and percussionist for the London Symphony Orchestra, will host the evening with performances by students of the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, as part of the Ewenny Arts Festival.
The church in Monknash dates from the early 12th Century when it served as the chapel to a monastic grange growing food for Neath Abbey. It has Grade II* listing. The churchyard includes the remains of crews from some of the many ships wrecked off the coast, and of bones uncovered as a result of cliff erosion. This has been the subject of research by Cardiff University, which was covered in the BBC series Digging for Britain.
Monknash is part of a proposed Pilgrim Trail covering several ancient Christian sites in the Glamorgan Heritage Coast Ministry Area.
A spokesman for the restoration project said: “The chancel roof has been letting in the rain and there has been a danger from falling slates. While plans were being made to deal with this, a crack opened up in the wall above the pulpit. There has been generous support from local people towards the work and several organisations have offered support.
“The church has recently been awarded a £3,000 National Churches Trust Gateway Grant will help to pay for Chancel roof repairs. The church also receives a £9,000 Wolfson Fabric Repair Grant from the Wolfson Foundation on the recommendation of the National Churches Trust.
Broadcaster and journalist Huw Edwards, vice president of the National Churches Trust, said: “I’m delighted that St Mary Magdalene is receiving funding for chancel roof repairs. Whether seeking quiet reflection, access to community services or a place to worship, the National Churches Trust helps hundreds of churches each year.”
There have also been grants from the Welsh Church Act Fund, the Representative Body of the Church in Wales and Benefact Trust. Even so, with the scope of the work increasing and costs rising with inflation, there is some way to go.
Marie Sheppard, Churchwarden at St Mary Magdalene’s, said: “The grant funding has been a tremendous boost to getting our project on the way. We are very grateful to all who have supported the work. There is obviously more to do and we delighted to now have the support of the musicians and the team at Ewenny.”
Tickets for the concert are available from Ewenny Priory (01656 653020). A JustGiving campaign has been established here.
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