CONCERT FOR CHAPEL APPEAL
Star Rhys lends voice to restoration bid for historic building:
AGRAND Concert has been arranged to raise funds towards the £15,000 needed to save one of Wales’s most important historic Grade I listed chapels.
The concert will be held at 7.30pm the evening of Saturday 5 May 2018 at Criccieth Memorial Hall.
The Trust are delighted to have secured such outstanding group of local talents such as Rhys Meirion and Annette Bryn Parri to take part in the concert, along with local favourites Wynne Roberts, Edwin Humphreys and Côr Rhiannedd y Moelwyn. The evening will be compered by local DJ Kev Bach.
Addoldai Cymru was established to take ownership of significant chapels across Wales and Peniel, Tremadog is one of only five Grade I Nonconformist chapels in Wales, which is a testament to the importance of this building, not only to heritage but the role it has played in the life of Tremadog across the years – and hopefully will continue to play in the future.
Speaking of the significance of Peniel, Tremadog to him personally in the development of his international career, Rhys Meirion commented:
“The chapel in which you are raised remains close to your heart for ever.
“The Ministers, the Sunday School teachers, they have all moulded and shaped us as characters and personalities.
“Moreover, to me personally this was the place which nurtured me and planted the seeds of my career as a singer and television and radio presenter by giving me the opportunity to stand in front of an audience and recite Bible verses and perform in services, small eisteddfodau and Sunday School Festivals.
“Peniel Chapel will remain very dear to me as long as I live, and I shall be eternally grateful for the myriad experiences that I had among friends and loved ones in this very special building.”
Whilst former Tremadog Vicar, the Revd. Wynne Roberts, a popular local entertainer, added: “Chapels and churches are the touchstones of local communities. Peniel, Tremadog is a historically and architecturally significant building which has played an active role in the life of the Tremadog community.
“As a former Vicar of the parish, I am delighted to take part in Addoldai Cymru’s Grand Concert as part of their appeal to restore the building and its famous pediment in order to secure its conservation as part of our nation’s history and heritage.”
Peniel Chapel, Tremadog is now owned by charity Addoldai Cymru (Welsh Religious Buildings Trust) and is working to repair the Grade I listed building and finding a new use for it.
The Chapel is located at the southern gateway of the planned town of Tremadog. Its innovative gable front and auditorium plan proved highly influential in the evolution of Welsh chapel design whilst its pedimented portico with Tuscan columns has made it one of Wales’ most iconic chapels.
The aim of the Trust’s ‘£1 to Save a Pediment Appeal’ is to hit the target so that renovation work on the pediment can be completed in line with the current roof repairs, which commenced at the end of February. £136,000 of grants have provided the funds needed to carry out most of the renovationto the roof, but £15,000 is still needed to finish paying for the vital process of repairing the pediment.
It is hoped that the concert will play a vital part in helping to raise both the profile of the appeal and much needed funds, in addition to providing an evening’s entertainment of a high standard for the local community.
● Tickets for the concert are priced at £15 for the floor and £12 for the gallery and are available from the Trust’s website and local shops.