Churches are set to open their doors for festival

CHURCHES across South Wales will open their doors this June for the first-ever Churches Unlocked Heritage Festival.

Churches Unlocked is organised by the Diocese of Llandaff and will run over nine days from Saturday June 18 to Sunday June 26.

The festival will celebrate the historical importance of churches to Welsh heritage and culture, and champion their role in the local communities as places of spiritual wellbeing and community engagement.

The 10 churches have been chosen for their historical importance and hidden history. They include churches in Beddau, Merthyr and Cardiff, and some are generally not open to visitors.

Visitors can also try their hand at bellringing, designing a stainedglass window, hiking in the countryside or taking part in eco activities in churchyards.

Sarah Perons, Churches Development Officer, says “Because of Covid, over the past two years our churches have had to remain closed for much of the time. Our buildings are now open again and we want to encourage churches to take the opportunity to be open and welcoming to visitors. We want to provide a positive and enjoyable post-Covid experience for everyone.

Churches Unlocked launches on Saturday June 18 at Llandaff Cathedral and features Alys Huws, official harpist to the Prince of Wales, young musicians from the award-winning ‘Making Music Changing Lives’ project in Ely, Cardiff as well as Cathedral tower tours, eco-fun for children and a stained glass design workshop.

The churches are - Llandaff Cathedral, Cardiff; St Thomas, Neath; St Catwg, Cadoxton, St Mary the Virgin, Cardiff; St Cynwyd, Llangynwyd; St Michael, Beddau; St Andrew, St Andrew’s Major; St John the Baptist, Troedyrhiw; St Michael and All Angels, Llanmihgangel; St Theodore, Port Talbot.

For more information visit -‘Churches Unlocked’ Festival Llandaff Diocese (churchinwales.org.uk)